Yesterday as I was walking my dog, two dogs came racing out of their yard barking and growling. I yelled at them to back off but that's all I could do as they approached my dog. (i'm in a wheelchair) A lady came running and apologizing, saying she cannot understand why her invisable fence didn't work. As I nervously watched my dog getting sniffed with all dogs' razorbacks going, I said something about sometimes the desire to get through the fence is greater than the deterrent. Luckily, there was no fighting and I was able to get away with my dog in one piece, but this just brought home the notion that invisable fences work-- until they don't.

Glad that you and your dog are ok.

I wish they would outlaw those darned fences!

I am glad you or your dog weren't injured.

But my stupid question is: once the dogs beat the fence to get out, doesn't the invisible fence prevent them from returning to the inside area?

I have never been a fan of any of the underground or invisible fencing. Seems more dangerous and provides a false sense of security.

Terry, speaking from experience, that's exactly the problem with any sort of invisible fence. Might work for a laid-back mutt, but if you have any sort of serious dog, they're not to be trusted.

I sold Invisible Fence for 5 or 6 years (back in the 80's) and then Innoteck fences now - the problem with these fencers is they don't keep dogs out of the yard and the dogs foundation training needs to be correct for them to work.

The in-ground fencers are really effective when people have a normal 4 foot chain link fence in their back yard but the dogs are climbing over. By taking one of these fencers and attaching the wire to the top of the 4 foot fence you set up a barrier that keeps the dog back from the chain link.

I just stumbled across this old post. I have had GSD`s on a dog guard fence for years now. Even had a couple high prey drive dogs on it and with great success. I can adjust the width of the correction zone and the level of correction.I constantly maintain the system, replace batteries, and check collars. I spent a great deal of time boundary training my dogs. I think advertising has led people to have misconceptions about what these fences are. The training is key, they are merely boundary training with a well timed correction. If you don`t maintain your chainlink or your leash your dog could bound off too. My dogs are never left completely unattended outside, some people leave their dogs out unattended for hours with the E-fence. There in lies the problem.

As I've said many times, if the dog has been properly trained to the fence, and the correction level is at the correct stim level, there should be no problem with the dog trying the boundary.

I have used an in-ground system ever since I got my dog, and not once has she even tried to get out, even chasing squirrels. She chases them as far as she knows she can go, and then skids to a stop just before the collar gives its warning beep. One of my friends has 4 Labs (imo the dumbest dog on the planet lol) and also has an invisible fence. They don't get out either. The difference between mine and hers is that I bought mine (which is a Petsafe model) and installed it myself. I had to buy their stubborn dog collar though, because my dog wasn't even feeling the stim that the collar that came with the system was delivering. Hers is a professionally installed system made by Invisible Fence.

I have had too many problems to count with my fence, but as far as I know, she has had none with hers. I had to replace the collar 5 times, and I replaced the wire last fall. I had only had the system a year or so. I do not recommend that anyone buy the Petsafe invisible fences. The wires are crappy, the collars are crappy, and the warranty is crappy. If you're going to do it, spend the extra money and have the pros do it. That way, if anything goes wrong, they'll fix it. Their equipment is of better quality, and the collars aren't as bulky, but are just as strong.

Anyway, my point is, if the owner takes the time and effort required to properly train his dog(s) to the fence, there shouldn't be the problem of the dog(s) just running through it. Anywhere I take my dog now, if I need her to stay in a specific area, all I have to do is put up a few flags to mark the boundary. She only has to see them for a few minutes and she will not go past that line, even though there isn't an actual fence there.