I really dislike electric fences for many, MANY reasons. Most of which everyone else has listed so I won't bore you with my long diatribe.

My vote is absolutely for a regular, trusy old picket fence. (Or iron or chainlink... whatever!)

Julia

they MAY keep your dogs in but won't keep other dogs out. I say may because many dogs don't care and run past it and get shocked.

I prefer an old fashioned privacy fence. That way you can leave your dog out alone and not worry about someone stealing them or a stray attacking them.

I have seen pics of a yellow lab that had it's entire neck burned because the collar shorted out. I would never want to risk that happening either.

ouch

tough call...

- Cristina

Kristen,

I know a lot of oeople that have had success with the invisible fence. However, I know far more that have had them removed for several reasons.

the shock they receive certainly isnt a bolt but I would suggest that anyone that compares it to a static shock to wear one themselves.

My sister-in-law installed one for her dog Libby. It freightened Libby so that she refused to move in the yard. She was unable to figure out how/where it was coming from so she literally would'nt move each time they let her out. They had to remove it because she was refusing to go to the bathroom in the back yard.

the fence may keep your dog in but it does not keep other animals out.

I know of dogs that ran through it after other dogs/cats/cars and would not come back in because they knew they would be shocked. One was a Lab, the owner found him sitting in the neighbors yard looking at their house probably trying to figure out how he was going to get back in.

Power outages are something else to think about.

Across the street from a building I used to wourk in was a family with a Lab. they installed a electric fence. One day I was watching the dog in the yard, it was raining very hard, the dog was acting very peculiar. I walked over to him, took hold of his collar and I received quite a shock from it. Something was malfunctioning and he was getting a continual shock.

Sorry so long

Lynn K

as Betty mentioned ..it will not keep other animals out of your yard...only the ones (yours that have the collar on get the zap)....also some dogs will just see something ..and ZAP right through the invisible fence....then not return because they were zapped...
and won't come back into the yard...and some dogs...like my greys would fly throughso quickly..that the fence would be worthless...
as for the pain level I disagree...
I had a friend who installed one..and he said the same thing ..so I asked him to turn the collar on the same level he has it on for his dogs...hold it...or wear it...and walk or run through the fence...he did..and never used the fence again...
...also some dogs will get used to the low level shock..that I know some folks say to use..but what then keep turning it up?for safety ,peace of mind..and being kind I would shout no!...ce

I would not like one of these fences because it will keep your dogs in but it won't stop other dogs from coming in your yard and possibly hurting your dogs.

Betty, Buddy and Mighty Dog