fwiw, we have had considerable success with our radio control fence
aka invisible fence aka shock fence. our dog has never been happier.
coincidentally, our neighbor's house was hit by a burglar last week
and while they do have a radio fence of their own, their dogs were
kenneled in their basement. the police said that had their dogs been
in the yard, the burglars probably would not have chosen their house.
while it was a huge pain to install the fence around our 5 acres, it
really has been worth it (though i probably would have had a
professional put one in if i were to do it again around such a large
property).