Tool for burying invisible dog fence

[Tim Hancock]

Unfortunately I caved to my daughter begging for a new dog after I had to put our old one down last summer. The little b@stard recently started getting out of his pen and while we hoped he could be trusted to be left out, he now crossing our rural road and running 1/2 mile to our nearest neighbors. I just picked up an invisible fence system to try, but I need to bury about 2000' of wire to surround our house property.

I am about to whip up one of these to drag behind my 4X4 ATV or my tractor. Anyone think this will work for burying the wire? Or am I wishful thinking?



The little b@stard

[cashflyer]

You have to make the surface skid wide enough to keep the rip from digging to China. In other words, the skid is the depth limiter... not the rip.

Also, it would probably work best as a 3-point hookup to level out the pulling force.

Finally, depending on how hard your ground is and whether you hit obstructions, it can actually take a good bit of power and traction to pull such a device.

Just my two cents.

[Tim Hancock]

The skid is about 10" wide and I have a three pt on my old Ford 9N. The spring ground is soft right now, but this summer the clay turns to rock!

[targa911S]

Tree roots?

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by targa911S
Tree roots?

Some, but not too many. I have a gas powered edger that I intend to use on problem areas like my stone driveways.

[Superman]

Is that a republican skid, or a democrat skid?

[Super_Dave_D]

I used a grass edger (the kind with the blade) and removed the wheel BUT nowhere near 2000 ft.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by Superman
Is that a republican skid, or a democrat skid?

Not really political, but if I had to make the call, I would say it is republican in nature as many of the animal rights group types who would want me to let the dog live inside, tend to be on the left. This trencher will ensure the little b@stard stays outside where the animals belong.

[legion]

Invisible shovel?

[RallyJon]

I stole a tool for burying invisible dogs once. Had a hell of a time fencing it. If you find one let me know.

[madmmac]

Originally posted by legion
Invisible shovel?

Love it!!!!

The dog will run through it and get zapped and realize it's not that big of deal if he wants out.

I know 3 people who tried it and gave up with the idea with no success.

The dog is bored and if it's in a pen, probably not getting enough excercise for the youngster.

[teenerted1]

why not rent a ditchwitch with a narrow blade?

[MikeSid]

Originally posted by teenerted1
why not rent a ditchwitch with a narrow blade?

'Cuz that'd be just like buying a violin, when it's more fun to make your own!

[Chilling in VT]

There is an old electrician in my town who uses an old plow behind a 9N tractor to do just what you are thinking. The plow has a straight edge on one side and rolls the sod up on other side. He does the entire run and then goes back and places the wire. Then he folds the flap of sod back over the wire and then tamps the whole mess back down. He can cover an amazing amount of ground in a short time. Any old implement dealers in your area?
Joe

[RickM]

I did 1800' in th fall for my invisible fence. (This involved an asphalt driveway as well.)

In the yard I went about 10' with my gas powered edger and gave up...what a hassle. In the end I just used a sharp, flat blade shovel and it went very quickly. My advice is to make your cut on an angle so the wire wont pull out.
For the majority of roots I use a lopper to cut and bury the wire underneath the gap. For larger roots I used a sharp, flat blade pick.

FWIW, I bought the top of the line Innotek system and couldn't be happier. Also, I found the best place for fence/collar supplies and accessories to be http://www.gundogsupply.com/info.html Their prices are excellent.

[911boost]

+1 with what Rick said on the Innotek and Gun Dog Supply.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by madmmac
Love it!!!!

The dog will run through it and get zapped and realize it's not that big of deal if he wants out.

I know 3 people who tried it and gave up with the idea with no success.

The dog is bored and if it's in a pen, probably not getting enough excercise for the youngster.

+1 on the dog in a pen and not getting its "yaya's" out enough, but no criticism, sometimes you have to contain them.

I have a family member that did the Invisible Fence thnig with great sucess. Instead of just installing it and turning the dog loose, they took the dog on leash around the property, just sort of strolling along near the fence line and when the dog would start to wander near the line they'd let it. Since it was on leash it was walking slowly and would jump back from the shock...then they'd keep walking and eventually it would wander near the fence line again, etc. They "toured" the property perimeter several times over the course of a few days and the dog got conditioned to WANT to avoid the areas where its been shocked.

I agree if you just turn it lose and it hauls ass past the fence line it'll learn to run faster!

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by MikeSid
'Cuz that'd be just like buying a violin, when it's more fun to make your own!

Did someone say I can't build this tool?

Excuse me while I start cutting up some scrap metal


My daughter already bought a system made by PetSafe, it is her money as she absolutely promised to pay an expenses incurred in this particular dog. We had two for years that I payed for, but just as I was getting used to the idea of not having to fuss with a dog for awhile, she suddenly had to have another dog (she never played with our other dogs anymore, but a 17 yr old girl holding a new puppy is a powerful force I assure you!).

[RickM]

Most systems come with a training video. The generally accepted technique is to use a stepped approach....Visual, audio and shock.

After the wire is buried you run the little flags around the perimeter, a few feet short of the wire. Three times a day take the dog out on a leash and briskly walk him/her to one of the flags, allow him to observe the flag, yank back, say NO and return to the most commonly used entrance/exit. for each session repeat this for several flags at various locations on the property.

After a few days fit the collar to the dog and set for audio stimulation only. Go through the walk-to-flag routine....he will now associate the audio early warning with the flags.

Lastly, repeat above with the collar set on minimum shock. Heh heh. It's interesting. Some dogs will do a 10' flip and other will just shake their head. Adjustment of current is usually needed to insure efficacy.

I went through the above drill for just over a week. It works like a charm. Even with the collar off he knows his boundarys. However, if he's distracted he will venture off past the wire.

[john70t]

+1 on Dans advice. The dog needs to learn it's territory first.

Best way is to put something visual and temporary along the edges and only let the dog out on a long retractable leash.
Follow the perimeter and at the same time he gets zapped so "NO", jerk the leash, and then say "good boy" and praise him in a high pitched tone when he comes back towards you. Go around a couple times and then back into the house.

Shouldn't need more than a week of this.