We have a couple of mixed breeds that are predominantly yellow lab.
When we first got them as puppies, we enclosed the back yard in a
low-cost wire fence that comes in 50-foot spools at Home Depot. This
worked fine, until recently. They're just about a year old now and
have discovered that jumping the fence is a trivial matter.

We don't have the financial means to have an expensive chain link
fence installed, so we're about to buy an invisible fence. I'm
thinking that I'd like to place the invisible fence wire just outside
the existing wire fence.

Over the past year, they've worn a pretty heavy groove into the area
just inside the fence. They typically like to run along this path.
I'd like for them to be able to keep using that path, but I'd like to
deter them from jumping the fence.

Has anyone else done anything like this? How would you train the dogs
to know about the penalty for jumping the fence?

"Arcfus Barcwincle" wrote in message
...
We have a couple of mixed breeds that are predominantly yellow lab.
When we first got them as puppies, we enclosed the back yard in a
low-cost wire fence that comes in 50-foot spools at Home Depot. This
worked fine, until recently. They're just about a year old now and
have discovered that jumping the fence is a trivial matter.

We don't have the financial means to have an expensive chain link
fence installed, so we're about to buy an invisible fence. I'm
thinking that I'd like to place the invisible fence wire just outside
the existing wire fence.

Over the past year, they've worn a pretty heavy groove into the area
just inside the fence. They typically like to run along this path.
I'd like for them to be able to keep using that path, but I'd like to
deter them from jumping the fence.

Has anyone else done anything like this? How would you train the dogs
to know about the penalty for jumping the fence?


A simple non invisible electric wire would work much better in your
situation, and be far cheaper than an invisible fence. The collars for a
decent invisible fence alone are a hundred dollars or more each and the
fencing runs at least another couple of hundred. In contrast, a regular
stock type electric fence, the electric charger can be had for about $50,
and the wire is maybe $10, and since you already have posts for your other
fence, all else you'll need will be the standoff, which might cost you
another $10. And it works. It's safe for you and children as well, because
although not pleasant, the shock is no worse than touching your tongue to a
battery.

An invisible fence requires a lot of training in order to work. This can't
be neglected, or you'll still have dogs that jump the fence, and then stand
on the other side afraid to jump back. An electric wire requires no
training. Most dogs touch it once or even maybe twice, and they rapidly
learn to respect it.

"Arcfus Barcwincle" wrote in message
...
We have a couple of mixed breeds that are predominantly yellow lab.
When we first got them as puppies, we enclosed the back yard in a
low-cost wire fence that comes in 50-foot spools at Home Depot. This
worked fine, until recently. They're just about a year old now and
have discovered that jumping the fence is a trivial matter.

We don't have the financial means to have an expensive chain link
fence installed, so we're about to buy an invisible fence. I'm
thinking that I'd like to place the invisible fence wire just outside
the existing wire fence.

Over the past year, they've worn a pretty heavy groove into the area
just inside the fence. They typically like to run along this path.
I'd like for them to be able to keep using that path, but I'd like to
deter them from jumping the fence.

Has anyone else done anything like this? How would you train the dogs
to know about the penalty for jumping the fence?


A simple non invisible electric wire would work much better in your
situation, and be far cheaper than an invisible fence. The collars for a
decent invisible fence alone are a hundred dollars or more each and the
fencing runs at least another couple of hundred. In contrast, a regular
stock type electric fence, the electric charger can be had for about $50,
and the wire is maybe $10, and since you already have posts for your other
fence, all else you'll need will be the standoff, which might cost you
another $10. And it works. It's safe for you and children as well, because
although not pleasant, the shock is no worse than touching your tongue to a
battery.

An invisible fence requires a lot of training in order to work. This can't
be neglected, or you'll still have dogs that jump the fence, and then stand
on the other side afraid to jump back. An electric wire requires no
training. Most dogs touch it once or even maybe twice, and they rapidly
learn to respect it.

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 15:06:36 GMT, "Sunflower"
wrote:

A simple non invisible electric wire would work much better in your
situation, and be far cheaper than an invisible fence. The collars for a
decent invisible fence alone are a hundred dollars or more each and the
fencing runs at least another couple of hundred.

The one we're looking at would cost $220 for the "deluxe" version.
That's for everything, including collars for two dogs.

In contrast, a regular
stock type electric fence, the electric charger can be had for about $50,
and the wire is maybe $10, and since you already have posts for your other
fence, all else you'll need will be the standoff, which might cost you
another $10. And it works. It's safe for you and children as well, because
although not pleasant, the shock is no worse than touching your tongue to a
battery.

I'm a little leary about trying something like this, as I've never
heard of anyone doing this for a dog before.

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 15:06:36 GMT, "Sunflower"
wrote:

A simple non invisible electric wire would work much better in your
situation, and be far cheaper than an invisible fence. The collars for a
decent invisible fence alone are a hundred dollars or more each and the
fencing runs at least another couple of hundred.

The one we're looking at would cost $220 for the "deluxe" version.
That's for everything, including collars for two dogs.

In contrast, a regular
stock type electric fence, the electric charger can be had for about $50,
and the wire is maybe $10, and since you already have posts for your other
fence, all else you'll need will be the standoff, which might cost you
another $10. And it works. It's safe for you and children as well, because
although not pleasant, the shock is no worse than touching your tongue to a
battery.

I'm a little leary about trying something like this, as I've never
heard of anyone doing this for a dog before.

"Arcfus Barcwincle" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 15:06:36 GMT, "Sunflower"
wrote:

A simple non invisible electric wire would work much better in your
situation, and be far cheaper than an invisible fence. The collars for a
decent invisible fence alone are a hundred dollars or more each and the
fencing runs at least another couple of hundred.

The one we're looking at would cost $220 for the "deluxe" version.
That's for everything, including collars for two dogs.

Then, it's not a quality fence system. The collars are the key to them
working well, and the only ones that do work well aren't cheap. Our Humane
Society rarely recommends invisible fences, primarily because most people
installing them do so as a primary method of containment rather than a
backup, and even those who do want to utilize them properly don't usually
want to get the ones that actually work well. A proper invisible fencing
system will cost from $500 and up, and will include the training for your
dogs as part of it. Without the training, it's useless, and even dangerous.

In contrast, a regular
stock type electric fence, the electric charger can be had for about $50,
and the wire is maybe $10, and since you already have posts for your other
fence, all else you'll need will be the standoff, which might cost you
another $10. And it works. It's safe for you and children as well,
because
although not pleasant, the shock is no worse than touching your tongue to
a
battery.

I'm a little leary about trying something like this, as I've never
heard of anyone doing this for a dog before.


It's quite common, and it's what our Humane Society regularly recommends for
escape artist dogs. 7 out of our 15 Board Members have electric wires for
their yards because they commonly foster animals that aren't well trained to
either names or recalls. It's an invaluable tool, but it's still a tool.
Training your dogs, neutering them, giving them proper *structured*
exercise, and having them live indoors should all be done as part of the
dog's general lifestyle which makes escaping your yard less attractive.
Dogs are pack animals and really prefer to be with their people most of the
time anyway.

"Arcfus Barcwincle" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 15:06:36 GMT, "Sunflower"
wrote:

A simple non invisible electric wire would work much better in your
situation, and be far cheaper than an invisible fence. The collars for a
decent invisible fence alone are a hundred dollars or more each and the
fencing runs at least another couple of hundred.

The one we're looking at would cost $220 for the "deluxe" version.
That's for everything, including collars for two dogs.

Then, it's not a quality fence system. The collars are the key to them
working well, and the only ones that do work well aren't cheap. Our Humane
Society rarely recommends invisible fences, primarily because most people
installing them do so as a primary method of containment rather than a
backup, and even those who do want to utilize them properly don't usually
want to get the ones that actually work well. A proper invisible fencing
system will cost from $500 and up, and will include the training for your
dogs as part of it. Without the training, it's useless, and even dangerous.

In contrast, a regular
stock type electric fence, the electric charger can be had for about $50,
and the wire is maybe $10, and since you already have posts for your other
fence, all else you'll need will be the standoff, which might cost you
another $10. And it works. It's safe for you and children as well,
because
although not pleasant, the shock is no worse than touching your tongue to
a
battery.

I'm a little leary about trying something like this, as I've never
heard of anyone doing this for a dog before.


It's quite common, and it's what our Humane Society regularly recommends for
escape artist dogs. 7 out of our 15 Board Members have electric wires for
their yards because they commonly foster animals that aren't well trained to
either names or recalls. It's an invaluable tool, but it's still a tool.
Training your dogs, neutering them, giving them proper *structured*
exercise, and having them live indoors should all be done as part of the
dog's general lifestyle which makes escaping your yard less attractive.
Dogs are pack animals and really prefer to be with their people most of the
time anyway.

Arcfus Barcwincle said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

They're just about a year old now and
have discovered that jumping the fence is a trivial matter.

Why do they want to leave? My dogs are about the same size as
yours, but have never jumped the four foot fence.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Arcfus Barcwincle said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

They're just about a year old now and
have discovered that jumping the fence is a trivial matter.

Why do they want to leave? My dogs are about the same size as
yours, but have never jumped the four foot fence.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Some dogs are just take off on and adventure if given the chance.

An example is just recently we put windows in the house. Brandy was left
loose all day in the yard while we worked inside and out. I didn't have to
once wonder where she was at because I know she will stay put. She spent
the whole day under the porch digging and playing in the dirt. Barney on
the other hand had to either be in the house with me or on the dog trolley
because I can't turn my back in him or he will go down the drive way and be
gone in a flash. Even when I lived on the mountain I could let them loose
in the yard while working but had to keep cow bells on them or Barney would
take off into the woods and I needed the bells to hear which direction he
went and Brandy just naturally followed behind him.

Celeste


"Rocky" wrote in message
...
Arcfus Barcwincle said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

They're just about a year old now and
have discovered that jumping the fence is a trivial matter.

Why do they want to leave? My dogs are about the same size as
yours, but have never jumped the four foot fence.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.