Puppy with an Invisible Fence?
 

My daughter is dying to get a dog, and I'd like to have one as well. We'd be looking at a full-size outdoor only dog (wife is allergic), probably a Golden or Lab. Our stupid neighborhood HOA mandates wrought iron fencing for yards, and I'm not too keen on spending $5k to fence my back yard for said dog. Has anyone used a buried invisible fence with a puppy? I know they're effective with bigger dogs, and can't imagine that they wouldn't work with a puppy as well.

Skip the invisible fence, and go with an invisible puppy.

seriously, it's all in the training. ...puppies learn new tricks, I hear.

Funny you wrote this now. We just got a boxer puppy- actually it comes home with us in about 2 weeks, as it is only 6weeks old now. I am looking at an electric fence. I was told not to use one until the pup was about 6 months old- they are not capable of the training needed before that time. Will be interested to hear what others have learned. On adult dogs, with proper training, they work well.
gary

Plenty of full sized hypo allergenics fogs to choose from.

Giant schanuzer, poodle, airdale, Portugese water dog, bouvier etc......

Problem with those fences is if they do go thru it as some dogs will they won't come back.

Just my opinion but Goldens don't make for a good outside dog. They actually believe that they are people and will want to be inside with you. Sitting on your couch, eating at your table, sleeping in your bed, etc... I have a Golden and when I got him I knew he would be an inside dog. You may want a different breed for outdoors or maybe one with short hair and hypoallergenic for indoors.

Sorry, I don't know much about invisible fences but as someone mentioned it will be all about training. By the way, most dogs don't like to listen until they're at least 1.5 years. That's the age when all the earlier training makes sense to them. My dog is 11 but even when he was younger I could leave him outside (front of the house on cul de sac) for long periods and he will still be on my property.

Whatever you choose, good luck and take some photos.

Labs, unless they're working Labs, are the same. They are very, very social.

no offense but IMO there is no such thing as an outside dog unless he's pulling a sled in the ididerod.
Dogs need affection and attention and are by nature PACK animals, they are not solitary and do not do well by themselves.
How much time would you spend with it, an hour a day? Maybe two on good days?
Putting one in the back yard by himself is a really bad idea that has been perfected by ghetto breeders of pit bulls.
Maybe if you already had a dog or two he'd get enough social interaction.

I say the best golden in this case would be a golden fish.

We have an invisible "wireless" fence. The base unit is about the size of a breadmaker - actually looks like one to a degree. It runs off 120V. We bought ours at Home Depot - I think for around $250. It is a fantastic product - and no need to run wires around the yard.

PetSafe Wireless Fence | Instant Dog Fence PIF 300

We have a corner lot - around 3/4 an acre and we have the base unit in the main front hallway beside a curio cabinet. The dogs (45lb sheppard mix and a 55lb lab) can each go all the way to the front sidewalk, side yard sidewalk, the back yard property line and just over to the neighbors driveway.

The only complaint we have is that the dog collars are battery operated, designed to require a specific battery replacement offered by the mfr at about $5 a pop. We replace ours every 3 months or so.

EDIT: Failed to mention, both dogs are inside dogs. Let outside to do their business/exercise running after squirrels and little kids that wander onto the yard (JK!)

Totally agree. IMHO, dogs should not be outside only. Not at all fair to the dog. Please don't do this.

Labs, while very high on my list, are also very stubborn and tough dogs. Don't know that I would trust the little invisible BS. If there is a way around it, the lab will figure out and get out...

Re-think the breed...
 

Matt,

For all the reasons already mentioned you cannot have dog that only lives outside; particularly when children are involved. You've mentioned importantly that your wife is allergic to dogs...then a Golden or pure bred Lab is NOT for you.

IMHO you should have a dog for your daughter...lots of wonderful things can be learned and lots of adventures to be had :). But you need to go back to the drawing board and select a breed that will not cause your wife any allergy issues and is also family friendly. Check on the web for lists of hypo-allergenic breeds and then work your way through that list for suitable temperament etc.

Schnoodle or Labradoodle are two that I can think of...our Schnoodle is a fantastic, robust, reasonably high energy, sensational dog...she has remarkable tolerance, loves to rumble and is a great 'schmoocher'. She gets along with most of the neighbourhood cats, dogs etc and all our friends who have allergies are fine with her. LOVES people...

Ask the vets here - they are all wonderful and know their stuff ;). They could recommend more breeds and speak with authority about the temperament/suitability of each.

GET A DOG; one who becomes a real part of your family, don't banish him/her outside...your daughter will love you more than ever :)

ooops...just saw stomachmonkey's post - more hypo-allergenic dogs to choose from...

I have had an outside dog nearly all my life in NW Ohio (as do many folks in our rural farming community). They do just fine provided they get to sleep in a doghouse or garage. We have an underground fence for our Australian Shepard and it works fine, but he was probably 6-8 months old when we put the fence in.

Looks like the OP'er is in Wichita, Kansas. Scalding hot muggy summers, blistering cold winters with intense thunderstorms and tornados in between. I can't think of a single logical reason to get a dog and keep it outside in that environment. There are hypo-allergenic dogs, many are listed above. If that isn't an option, it may be more than your wife's allergies standing in the way. Please be honest with yourself before going down this path.

Having owned dogs all my life (3 currently), I would never have a dog if they couldn't be part of the family in every regard. Not fair to them, not fair to your family.

My thoughts.

BTW... Dr Dogface above is a retired Veterinarian. Heed his advice, if not mine.

I agree that a dog should be part of the family. I can't stand to see a dog that's left outside all the time. The invisible fence if for people that are too lazy to train the dog to follow direction. If you don't have time to train a dog, you don't have time to own a dog. I'm not trying to be ugly, just calling it as I see it.

x2

My Bro has a black Lab that that he raised from when the pup was a few weeks old..

He installed the invisible fence..

That Lab is now 10 years old... and will not cross the line where the wire for the Invisible fence was...what is really funny is that he has not had to put the collar on the dog for years.. You have to make a "path" or "safe zone" so the dog can get out of your yard...Into your car etc..



The training worked...my bros dog will not cross the line... and has not had the collar on for years..

Same here Tim. While I understand the sentiment of those who consider a dog one of their kids, I disagree. Despite the attachment, it's still an animal. If I get a dog it will live in a doghouse that is in the shade in the summer and sheltered in the winter, with a heat lamp to keep it warm. I know many people with outside dogs, they're no worse off than dogs that live inside all of their lives. In fact I would argue that some owners are doing their dogs a disservice by leaving them inside all of the time, my parents have already had to have surgery on their 6 year old Golden's back legs because the dog could barely walk. Inside dog, small house, it doesn't get much exercise. At least a dog in a fenced yard can roam without constraint.

Your responses have convinced me that I won't get a puppy without a fence though, the invisible thing just isn't solid enough.

is that 24K gold over sterling wrought fence? I take it this is not a side yard fence.....

If the puppy gets out, then whip it. Whip that pu....ah, fergetit.

I've lived here my entire life, how on earth have I survived? It's a daily apocalypse living in Kansas.......:rolleyes:

My back yard is approximately 80x40. I would fence that entire area in which to abuse my dog.:cool: I haven't shopped around much, but it appears that an 8' section of wrought iron fence is a little over $100. That's material only, and doesn't include posts, hardware, or any install cost.