Info on Invisable fencing

Harley · 02-20-2007, 07:33 PM

Looking for some feedback from anyone with experience in the use of Invisable fencing specifically with Basenjis. I am concidering getting a system for my dog but have been told that Basejis ( who are "chasers" of birds , squirrels etc by nature ) may just ignore the temporary discomfort and bolt anyway.

Anyone out their that may have had experience with this ??

Thank you

FranMan · 02-20-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley

Looking for some feedback from anyone with experience in the use of Invisable fencing specifically with Basenjis. I am concidering getting a system for my dog but have been told that Basejis ( who are "chasers" of birds , squirrels etc by nature ) may just ignore the temporary discomfort and bolt anyway.

Anyone out their that may have had experience with this ??

Thank you

It depends on the dog. Is he high drive?

RonE · 02-20-2007, 08:07 PM

You could always set phasers to 'stun.'

I had the same concern with Esther about the invisible fence and I decided that it depends, not so much on their pain tolerance, but on their interest in learning. I'm going to install one in the spring.

Harley · 02-20-2007, 08:25 PM

Sorry for the delay getting back to you guys ! Had to step away. I don't know how to label him as far as high drive or not. Typical two year old Basenji I would say.

RonE, is Esther a Basenji ? Don't know if the breed is important or not as far as fences go.

RonE - Never mind about the Basenji question. I just saw a pict of your dog. Good looking. !!

RonE · 02-20-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley

RonE, is Esther a Basenji ? Don't know if the breed is important or not as far as fences go.

If breed were important, I'd get one of these for Esther:

Harley · 02-20-2007, 08:38 PM

Got it ! Just don't want to spend the money etc on an invisable fence that doesn't keep my dog in the yard. Too many cars ouit there !

Nagem · 02-20-2007, 09:25 PM

Is he outside without your supervision?
There are several problems with standard invisible fencing. One you already mentioned, many dogs endure the momentary shock and continue on with their main goal. Another problem is the battery life on the receiver collar. Most collars give a warning beep just prior to the dog passing over the fencing. If your dog is smart he will quickly learn what the beeping means, and will realize that if the collar does not beep he is free to do as he pleases. With regular battery testing this isn't an issue, but it is something you really have to keep an eye on.
If you are able to keep an eye on your dog, you may want to consider something similar to the yard and park trainer. It allows you to "statically correct" the dog with the push of a button, and allows you to determine the intensity level of the "static correction." You have the option of setting the remote to give a warning beep prior to "static correction", or you can choose to give no warning (as a simple "come" command should give the dog enough indication of what he is supposed to do)... but there are several choices. The problem with this collar is that it requires regular charging via plug in adapter.
I resorted to "static correction" just after I moved and my dog went through a rebellious stage (probably due to insecurity). Our house was on the corner of a busy street and everything else I tried had failed. I only ever actually "corrected" him a handful of times, but because I chose to give no warning beep he was unable to determine when the collar was charged and when it was not. He only wore the collar for a month or so, and once every thing calmed down at home he was back to his regular self.

smokeysmom · 02-21-2007, 11:41 AM

Hi Harley,

I have an invisible fence from PetSafe. Bought it directly off their website. The one I have is called a Radio fence, you don't have to bury any wires. It transmits the signal directly to the dog collar. If the dog goes out of his area, it keeps shocking them until they return. So, they can't just bolt thru the correction area. It is very important to take the time to thoroughly train your dog with this system. If you have a dog park or someplace that your dog can safely run free, plan on going every day while you're training them to use the invisible fence. The training can be scary for some dogs, so it's important that they have a good outlet for their energy. I would advise you to visit the PetSafe web site & get some more info. This system has worked great for my dog, Tucker. I started when he was a puppy. Now I can put the collar on him & not even turn the transmitter on & he stays in the yard. We now have another dog, an adult that a neighbor left behind when they moved. We have a problem with him chasing cars. Now that the weather is warming up here in TN, I'm gonna go mark the boundaries with flags & start trying to train him. I haven't tried this with an adult yet, so I'll let you know how it goes.

Didn't mean for this post to be so long. Hope it helps! Good luck...Cathy

Captbob · 02-22-2007, 10:40 AM

The issue that I would worry about with an invisible fence is another dog getting into the yard and attacking my dog, which is now trapped.

cshellenberger · 02-22-2007, 10:50 AM

Please read this before you go out and buy an invisible fence.

http://www.positivedogs.com/electronic_fencing.html

IMO, it's better to use a chain link fence. It you have a large area, fence in a small portion, just enough for the dog to run. Say 25x25.

Captbob · 02-22-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshellenberger

Please read this before you go out and buy an invisible fence.

http://www.positivedogs.com/electronic_fencing.html

IMO, it's better to use a chain link fence. It you have a large area, fence in a small portion, just enough for the dog to run. Say 25x25.

Good artice and I agree with his opinion of the E Fence. Sounds like a bad idea....

Lorina · 02-22-2007, 04:30 PM

Are Basenjis sight hounds? I know greyhounds and invisible fencing is a big no no. I imagine the same would be true for all sighthounds. Heck, probably all hounds.

FranMan · 02-22-2007, 11:03 PM

I have a beagle and a rottweiler. The beagle respects the I-fence and doesn't dare cross the line. The flags didn't mean crap to her. It is all the beep noise and they only that beep, not something that sounds close, that beep... and it has to be coming from her neck. She is a soft dog with not much drive. It is fine for her.

My rottweiler is a different story he is a very hard dog with a good amount of drive. The I-fence doesn't phase him at all, he laughs at it. I have a real fence on a 1/3 of my yard and the I-fence on 2/3 covering the 1/3 of real fence also. The real fence has corners that are 5' closer to the house. The rotty will go to those spots to get closer when I come home from work. This area is in zapping zone. He'll sit in it and take the shocks. I first I thought it wasn't working. I stuck my hand on it and zapped myself a few time it works but tap isn't bad. Some times you can see he neck skin twitch. It just isn't enough shock to make it worth not sitting in the zone. He would rather be a couple feet closer and have shocks. In his case the I-fence isn't going to work. Now when I am home on the weekend and have him out back I'll watch him take naps he stays out of the zapping zones. He use to nap right on the fence in the corners. He knows where the zapping starts. For the normal time the I-fence keeps him off my real fence or from digging around it but when his drive is up the little zaps from a cheap petsafe fence aren't enough.

You need to review your dog. Is it high drive? Is it a soft or a hard dog? You also have to work with your dog for 2-3 weeks to get them trained on the Ifence. I think that ifences have their place in life. I have a real fence to keep my dogs in and other dogs out during times I am gone. When I am in the backyard the ifence allows my beagle to have a lot bigger play area. Say I am having a cook out, the dog is able to hang out with the guest. Also when I let the dog out for pee I don't have to stand there waiting. Let her out, come back by in 10 minutes and she is at the dog waiting to come in.

That write up from Pamela Dennison is a bunch of garbage. "The dog feels intense pain as the shock rips through his neck" oh good lord.... She acts like the dog thinks the zap is an instantly related to whatever it see. If that was true the two weeks of training would go a lot faster.......... Her write up is based out of emotions and not facts.

Curbside Prophet · 02-22-2007, 11:34 PM

There are some circumstances in which these devices can reasonably be used, but I believe that they should be a last resort. Physical fences, leash control, a reliable recall and exercising dogs in my opinion are more desirable options than electric fences. They provide greater security and do not rely on causing physical discomfort, with the possible side effects of generalized anxiety or aggression. And training through positive reinforcement, as well as diminishing problem behavior through negative punishment, is in my opinion both more humane and more effective than using electricity on dogs.

Nagem · 02-23-2007, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

I believe that they should be a last resort. Physical fences, leash control, a reliable recall and exercising dogs in my opinion are more desirable options than electric fences. They provide greater security and do not rely on causing physical discomfort, with the possible side effects of generalized anxiety or aggression. And training through positive reinforcement, as well as diminishing problem behavior through negative punishment, is in my opinion both more humane and more effective than using electricity on dogs.

I whole-heartedly agree with you here. Invisible fencing is not something that should be taken lightly in the least. While the article posted is certainly biased, everything it states is a very real consequence/possibility. There is no question; it is no substitute for proper training.
As you stated, it should be a last resort.

lovemygreys · 02-23-2007, 06:40 AM

I would never ever ever EVER use an invisible fence for sighthounds...ever. And yes, that includes the little basenji sighthound.

(I also wouldn't use them for scenthounds or high energy/driven breeds). Actually...I would never use an invisible fence. Way too many draw backs and really no reliable positives.

cshellenberger · 02-24-2007, 11:41 AM

Another note on the electronic collars, a hidden danger ALL should know of. My mother used such a device on her German Shepard not knowing the dog had a heart condidtion, the electric shock was enough to kill him. It can happen.

WAgal · 10-16-2007, 07:50 PM

I was initially not a fan of I fencing but because of where we lived a real fence was not an options and I hated my dog being on a tie out. We had a 1.5 year old male black lab at this time. We did have a couple of occasions where he ran out of the fence when the neighbor kids were playing with the ball. We also had ours set up so that our dog could come through the dog door into the garage. My husband spent a lot of time training our dog and we will do the same for our new lab when she is old enough. My husband and I shocked ourselves with the collar. I would say it was more of a "shock" than pain that I felt. I know it's a very controversial issue but we have used it successfully for 10 years and plan to again with our new pup. It is true that you need to check the batteries often. Our lab got to where he still stayed in the yard even if the batteries were bad or he had his collar off.

lurcherloopy · 10-17-2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeysmom

Hi Harley,

I have an invisible fence from PetSafe. . If the dog goes out of his area, it keeps shocking them until they return. So, they can't just bolt thru the correction area.

Please tell me this is not true!!

SpudFan · 10-17-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshellenberger

Please read this before you go out and buy an invisible fence.

http://www.positivedogs.com/electronic_fencing.html

IMO, it's better to use a chain link fence. It you have a large area, fence in a small portion, just enough for the dog to run. Say 25x25.

I read the article and Im not sure if it's a good motivator for not using an invisible fence. To be honest I read it and I thought the woman sounded like a nut.

As with most things in life a bit of common sence go's a long way. I have an invisible fence and use it in conjunction with a regular fence and it does a great job. Do I think my dogs are traumatized by it? Of course not othewise I wouldent use it.

There are a lot of stupid things one can do with a pet fence and I dont think the article you quoted touched on any of them.

Sorry just my 2c