DuckSouth.com

I am thinking about getting an underground fence for my Lab. What are your thoughts, which brand should I look at? etc......any help would be appreciated.

I had Invsible Fence for my male lab (who was a BIG alpha dog)...it worked when he wanted it to (which was 99% of the time), I had mine setup about 6" inside a chain link, so it worked really well...when he was in the open without that natural barrier utilizing the shock, he would go right through it...so I'd say depends on the age of the dog when you start training him on it and the application...

I put my female on it ONCE, and I didn't think she was ever gonna come out her house again...wasn't cool

This biggest draw back to those types of fences is they don't keep unwanted dogs OUT of your yard. Your dog may respond well to the fence. I have several friends that have them for their dogs and they don't even have to put the collars on their dogs anymore. They simply won't leave the yard. But, if Joe Chit the Ragman's dog down the street is out and likes to fight, he might jump on your hunting buddy out in the yard because there's no fence to keep him out. Just my 2 cents.

Here's my major concern......this is a high dollar (for me) dog. All it takes is one time of him getting out and he's gone. He is in the house right now and that isn't an option...no matter how much you wash them, they stink. I'm thinking about going for the extra $ and just putting up a wood fence unless someone can convince me that the electric fence is the way to go.

Bill Collector wrote:Here's my major concern......this is a high dollar (for me) dog. All it takes is one time of him getting out and he's gone. He is in the house right now and that isn't an option...no matter how much you wash them, they stink. I'm thinking about going for the extra $ and just putting up a wood fence unless someone can convince me that the electric fence is the way to go.

Put up the wood fence and don't screw with the invisible fence...that's my opinion...if you do wanna do invisible, I got the board you can have, all you need is the wire and a collar...come by the house and I'll show you what to do, it's pretty easy...

I second the wood fence. We used the electric fence on my female and she basically decided when she would get out or not. I also came outside a couple times to see stray dogs chasing her around the yard. I don't know it any intent was to harm her but I sure didn't like it. Build the wood fence and have that peace of mind.

Wood fence.. Then put an electric wire around the bottom for 40.00 bucks to keep them from digging out.

We have the wood fence to keep them in the back yard and then the underground fence to keep them off the porch, out of the flower bed, and away from the kids swing. Works well for us. The two labs will not cross it.

I am pro underground fence! A wood fence around 3 acres didnt fit into my budget. I have a lab and a springer spaniel that stay in mine and the lab is a complete damn nut! The dog doesn't feel pain at all but she will only leave the yard now if in the back of my truck. Mine is the Petsafe Stubborn Dog model and they have great customer service as well.

build a kennel

If I could put up a wood fence, I would.
But I can't so I have the PetSafe "Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence"
http://www.petsafe.net/Products/Fencing ... Fence.aspx

My dog has gotten out 2 or three times and that's cause the wire was broke and I was to lazy to go fix it. She figured that out and took out. I have had no problems out of the dog on this system. My only issue is the wire. If you don't bury it right, your going to have problems.
If you do get one, go rent a sod cutter to install the wire and thank me later. Sod cutter would have made my life so much easier.

teul2 wrote:If I could put up a wood fence, I would.
But I can't so I have the PetSafe "Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence"
http://www.petsafe.net/Products/Fencing ... Fence.aspx

My dog has gotten out 2 or three times and that's cause the wire was broke and I was to lazy to go fix it. She figured that out and took out. I have had no problems out of the dog on this system. My only issue is the wire. If you don't bury it right, your going to have problems.
If you do get one, go rent a sod cutter to install the wire and thank me later. Sod cutter would have made my life so much easier.

Yea, if I go this route, there's no doubt I will rent a machine to do it....my neighbor just installed 2 acres worth..I saw his non pain by doing so....great advise

teul2 wrote:If I could put up a wood fence, I would.
But I can't so I have the PetSafe "Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence"
http://www.petsafe.net/Products/Fencing ... Fence.aspx

My dog has gotten out 2 or three times and that's cause the wire was broke and I was to lazy to go fix it. She figured that out and took out. I have had no problems out of the dog on this system. My only issue is the wire. If you don't bury it right, your going to have problems.
If you do get one, go rent a sod cutter to install the wire and thank me later. Sod cutter would have made my life so much easier.

exact same with mine... Man I wish I had thought of the sod cutter! I went the commercial edger route and trust me its a pain!

I have a Petsafe wireless fence that I bought from lowes and it works great for me. Puts an invisible fence around your yard 360 degrees. The area is adjustable and you can take it with you wherever you want to go as long as there is electricty. I think it works by radio transmission and when your dog gets to the desired setting limit, it first gives an audible warning and then if they keep going it shocks them for about 5 seconds and then it stops. If your dog can endure the shocking, he can break through it though. I have a female lab and she has never broke through it and wont go near the perimeter. No wire in the ground to worry with. Hope this helps.

I have used an invisible fence the past 22 years with 3 Labs and never a problem.