Electrical Fence...good or bad?

[caddelma]

My new wife has decided that she wants to bring one of her family's dogs to stay with us. I have only had one dog in my life and it hated me. Left me emotionally scared from like age 4 (still in therepy).

Anyway the dog is a collie/chow mix and I think around 6 years old and is fairly good size. The dog has spent his life on a farm in Kentucky chained to a tree. Well we live on a 1/4 acre lot in the 'burbs. We don't want to tie him to a tree (since we don't have any). We bought a chain-link kennel last night that measures 7.5'w x 7.5'l x 4'h. This will work for now. We are considering an electric fence since it is much cheaper than a split-rail fence and less headaches (building codes, grass trimming). Some people I have talked to don't like electric fences because they harm the dog and dogs that are determined go right through it. Our thinking is to keep him in the kennel when we are gone and let him roam around inside the electric fence when we are home. Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on electric fences. Any advice would be appreciated.

[topane]

Yes yes yes yes! Get one. The problem with tying a dog to a tree, post, etc. is that the dog becomes very territorial and will tend to be more aggressive when confined as such--most bites happen when a person crosses into this small territory.
There can be problems with electric fences: If you lose power, for example. Also, if your dog takes off after something (cat, mailman) and learns that the pain only lasts temporarily (as it crosses the fence), it might sit outside the fence and be afraid to come back in the yard. Also with most brands, the vendor adjusts the strength of the collar, so you may end up in the shop a few times getting it "right".
This might not be the best for your situation, but here's what I've got: I have a golden retriever (2 1/2 years old) who loves to run and run and run. We live on a 3 acre lot. Putting an electric fence around a small yard can be pricey, but we would have wanted to enclose at least an acre (or more) which was even more cash. I got an electric collar with a remote handheld transmitter. I can adjust the strength of the stimulation from the transmitter. I'm extremely happy with it. Now the dog knows the boundaries of the yard, but knows he can cross as long as he's at "heel".

[caddelma]

I have been looking around at some of the kits at places like Petsmart and Home Depot and putting it in my self. Are these any different then the systems that are installed profesionaly? Is there any things to look for when buying one. From just looking they range from $150 up to $300 depending on what options you want (bark control, training, etc). Any recommendations?

[topane]

I've heard that the radio fences are pretty good (someone at work here has one). Bark control is unreliable from what I've heard also. I've also seen wireless fences advertised. Check out http://radiopet.com/ and http://www.pet-expo.com/framedogs.htm--there should be a link on that page to a containment product, which will appear with some others (sorry, site's whacky I can't send the specitic url). My electric collar is an Innotek, and from what I understand they're a respected manufacturer.
Hope this helps.

[fakesurfers]

My parent's dog (a chow) just ignores it. You can see him grimace as he gets the shock, but he just keeps on running when he wants to. I hope that dog is as smart as a chow and as stubborn as a collie, instead of the other way around (shudder).

[Hiro]

If you do get the electric fence (which im not the type to condone use with pets), just

"Dont wiz on the electric fence."
--Ren & Stimpy


Sorry, it had to be said.

[topane]

Originally posted by Corsec
If you do get the electric fence (which im not the type to condone use with pets), just

"Dont wiz on the electric fence."
--Ren & Stimpy


Sorry, it had to be said. Um, if you don't condone its use with pets, what do you condone its use on, hmmmm? :P

[caddelma]

Nothing like a little humor! Every one says they know of at least one dog who breaks through on a regular basis. I guess a lot of it depends on the dog and its training. The dog we are getting from what I have seen doesn't bark much and seems behaved as far as dogs go. Our concern is he is used to being on a farm and somewhat secluded from other dogs and has lots of space between him and other dogs/animals. We don't know how he will react in a neighborhood setting with dogs nearby all the time and lots of people/animals he is not familiar with being so close. I am considering the Innotek contain and bark system.
http://www.pet-products.com/shop/category.htm?loc=41

Just incase he starts to barking up here. It also has three stimulation levels adjustable at the wall transmitter. Innotek seems to be the brand everyone recommends. We will see how his barking is first in the kennel then decide on what model to get.

[topane]

That looks like a winner. But it's hard to say if his barking habit will be the same loose in the yard as opposed to in the kennel. I think you'll be happy with the adjustable stimulation, it really allows you to customize for the dog.

[caddelma]

Originally posted by topane
That looks like a winner. But it's hard to say if his barking habit will be the same loose in the yard as opposed to in the kennel. I think you'll be happy with the adjustable stimulation, it really allows you to customize for the dog.

You have a good point there. The kennel will be just below the kitchen window at the back of the house. We are the second house from the corner and their are woods behind us so he shouldn't see a lot of people to bark at, just the squirrels and deer in the woods. If the barking isn't a problem we may just get the HF-200W model (no bark-stop system).