We are moving and I just found out the main wood fence in this very, very large yard is broken in several places. The ground is not quite even and it would be easy for dogs to figure out how to escape.
I am trying to figure out what is the best way to deal with this since I can't afford to replace the entire fence right away. We are putting kennels in the garage (six dogs) and may be able to put up a chain link pen (a square) in one section of the yard.
I was thinking of maybe trying some sort of electric fence around the perimeter of the yard, up against the wood fence. Not the kind that the dog has to wear the collar. I've seen this before but dont know anything about it. A wire runs up off the ground, held up by small, plastic stakes, then if the dog touches it, they get a small shock. I've seen it used for dogs and also livestock. Anyone know what this is even called? Any ideas?
This is not the ideal situation but life happens, have to make it work! Trying to keep my dogs in a sucky economy.
so is it called a "hot wire fence?" I'm trying to find it online so I can read about it and see if it would even work.I'm wondering if anyone has experience with it. Would it even work?
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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I doubt that a hot fence would work to replace parts of a broken board fence. You mean separately installing a completed-circuit fence section every now and then along a mostly-intact board fence? (Installing a hot wire on top of a wooden fence works only if the wooden fence is intact.)
JMO, and I know nothing first-hand. I edited a book last fall on livestock fencing. The installation and maintenance of electric fencing (don't forget the underground wire for diggers) is no cheap or easy or patchy proposition.
This: "We are putting kennels in the garage (six dogs) and may be able to put up a chain link pen (a square) in one section of the yard" would be where I'd put my energy and money.
Okay thanks. I really need to geta better look at the original wood fence. Even if I replace boards, I was worried about digging too and it just not being sturdy. I'll check out the sites! Thanks!
I don't know about this type of alternative to electric, but I'm looking at it closely. Affordable.
They send a couple of samples of the different grades for my inspection. In the heavier grade it would take a determined dog to chew through it. I would not though leave my dogs unattended in the enclosure no matter how big I made it. That's what kennels are for.
But it may fill your need just fine. Their web site is: http://www.bestfriendfence.com/
I bought some "hotwire" and charger at our local TSC. I use it to keep Ember out of my flower beds. The chargers come in various strengths and are super simple to put up.
(TSC- Tractor Supply Company, also has an online catalog)
I have an electric wire running around the top of one pen with chain-link panels to keep jumping/climbing dogs in the pen. I also have one electric wire running along one of the panels near the ground to keep the dogs from pulling goat ears off (goats are on the other side of the fence and like to sleep with their ears poking through). They do not dig on that side of the fence, they do some on the non-electric sides.
As long as you understand the principles of electric fences they are pretty easy to work with. Get a good charger (low impedance is my choice), at least one ground rod, and properly insulate the hot wire.
I have also used this with big exuberant dogs and didn't have any trouble keeping them in, and everything but stupid goat kids out.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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My first piece of advice is to accept that your wood fence will be short lived. The weather in Mesa makes short work on wood fences. Even in Colorado springs we were needing to replace posts and fence boards within 5 years.
If I had a wood fence that I was expecting to replace but needed to jerry rig something cheap together for less than 6 months I would use cheap field fencing like redbrand just moderately tightened stapled to the existing fence and stuffed 4 inches into the ground with the aid of a ditch witch.
If I was needing about 2 years to replacing the fence I'd do the same except also throw a wire skirt on it at least 4 feet out to help with digouts.
It's not that I'm against electric fencing. There is a place for it. I just don't think it's as cost effective as you would hope.
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