EVER TRIED INIVISIBLE FENCING???

[PattyInAK]

Have any of you tried out invisible fencing to keep your dogs in an area?  At our old house, the dogs were confined to the deck unless we were on a walk, which was rare due to all the loose dogs in the neighborhood.  At our new place, we were considering a railing on our deck, so we could also keep the dogs confined outside when we needed them to be confined.  Well, putting a railing on that deck would be like putting a fence up between us and that gorgeous view we have out those big windows.  Our neighbors installed invisible fencing for their two golden labs, and it works like a charm.  I am considering that for my three.  They just love the walks on our road and in the woods at our new place.  Its difficult to get them to come back inside.  I would like to let them stay outside when I need to be getting dinner ready or something.  If I could keep them in the area around our deck and the back door, I could see them from the kitchen window and keep tabs on them.  I will be asking my neighbors about the fence they have, but was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with them.  Thanks!

[Leslie]

Patty, we are considering the same problem--on a much smaller scale of course. 
The idea is to put a regular handrail with ballisters halfway down the deck, perpendicular (whew!spell THAT) to the house and then set up a temporary baby-gate or X-pen like arrangement using some posts and turkey wire.  I think we will utilize some pre-drilled holes in the deck floor and some hooks to keep them upright and together.  This way, they can lounge on the deck when momma is home and werkin' in the house, and then when we are out or have company, we can pull up stakes, so to say. 
I hope to have enough $$ in the building fund to put in the deck and a sliding glass door this year.  They make sliding screens with pet doors, eh?

Personally, I wouldn't trust invisible fencing in your area, because any ole critter can get IN!  Heck, there have been both black bear and coyote sightings within miles of MY house!

[Barb]

I have never used these - but have known people  that do - but only for an open gate and not for a complete fence.  The dog wears a collar until they learn where the boundries are.  Again, my only exposure is in a back yard that is fenced and the invisible fence part is across the driveway - for when the fence door has slid to the side for cars coming and going out.  For your purposes - if the area was small - just around your deck and house where you could see them - maybe it would work.  I wonder if they would all have to wear the collars at the same time?  Be interesting to check into.

I kind of agree with Leslie - in your area, I would think there would be a lot of critters!!!

What about an x-pen set up?

[Mike]

I have seen too many instances where a dog (ok, it was a beagle and not the sharpest knife in the drawer) has been very excited and blown through the fence.  Once outside,it will not be able to get back in and would also be prey to critters, not to mention wandering far afield and getting lost.

[Teresa]

One of Randy's co-workers has installed one for his doxie. I'll have him ask him about it. One thing I thought about it is the weight of the collars. They are quite heavy. Also, the fact that other animals can get past the fence.
Is their an area you could do a light weight fence like with the chicken wire and stakes? Since they won't be out for long at a time, that may be all you need and you wouldn't have to go to the huge expense of a regular chain link fence. They even make the ones that are sturdier than chicken wire, but that you can put in yourself.

[Roberta]

Patty how about clear sheets inplace of wood on the railing they use them over here, we are considering them when we build up on our blco for the reason you see through them. don't know what they would be like in the cold. Why not a chicken mesh run next to th ehouse my mum has that so when we are up we stick them out, its about 300ft square.
Roberta
forgot my sisters neighbour, ours to when and if we move, sued it for their collie, it worked for them, but I like the others would not trust it.

[Leslie]

Patty how about clear sheets inplace of wood on the railing they use them over here, we are considering them when we build up on our blco for the reason you see through them. don't know what they would be like in the cold.

There's an idea, how about plexiglass?  Of course, there's the nose art thing...

p.s. the poods across the street have invisible fence.  Occassinally they WILL run into the street--especially after a trim, if their momma doesn't adjust the collars.  And my nephews have a black lab who uses invisible fence.  They only take off the collar when she is in the shower.  One day the battery got low, and it beeped.  They found her cowering in the shower, thinking she wuz gonna get zapped[/size]!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

My Dad used one with Jody but she probably never would have run out of the area he had her in anyway. I too would worry a lot more about what could get in. At the shelter where Diane worked they had a drawer just to put the invisible fence collars they took off dogs that came in, so quite a few dogs can get out especially if they are worked up about something to get out for. Is there another side of the house you could fence a small area maybe that wouldn't obstruct the view?

[Nikki]

The only experience I know about is with a friend that got one for her golden and it proved to be usless.  Abby would run right thru it and then be afraid to come back into the yard.  I would be leery of them.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

From what I hear it works well on your pups but does not keep strays or other wild animals out.