miss2 Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Hi everyone. I have read through some if the previous posts about my question but still in need of some advice please. We are having some problems with our dog escaping the back yard. Our back yard is about 1/2 an acre. We are on a property and whilst after he digs out he doesn't leave our land the point is he can't continue to do this. We rent the house on the property and the land and paddocks are leased to a farmer so there is always some one driving down our drive way and I'm worried he will get hit. He digs out and goes and chases mice in the shed. He is smart and makes sure to put him self back in the yard by the time I get home. Every day I fill a hole and the next day there is always a new one. i can not do anything to the fence as its a rental so now I'm looking into invisible fence or a standard electric fence. Can anyone offer any opinions on which is better? I'm worried about how much the shock will hurt him ? I read a little about e collars but from what I can tell I have to be there to administer the correction? Any help or other suggestions would be great as he is getting locked up in the patio during the day until a solution can be found. Oh also, spuds favorite thing is to chase rabbits outside our yard. The fence line in question has our only entrance gate to our house. I'm also worried that using a shock of some sort will make him to frightened to leave the yard through the gate when he's with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flame ryder Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 We have the Sureguard brand, it is Aussie made. Before buying I did my homework and was told not to buy the imported ones that are way cheaper but apparently don't last long. They can be very effective. But they aren't foolproof. We have found the dogs will go straight through if they are in chase mode. For instance there was a sheep running down our road and my boxer did not hesitate to run through the no go zone to chase it. But if they have time to think about it and hear the warning beep they wont go through. Also the dogs are smarter than we think and if we forget to put the zap collar back on after a walk they know and will go out on the road, also if it stops working for some reason they know that too and will go through. And no you don't have to be there for him to have the correction, but you will need to train the dog how to use and respect the collar. Training only takes a few hours over 2 or 3 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) Have you tried burying some mesh a few cms down horizontally along the fenceline, so when he tries to dig there he hits mesh? I feel like I read somewhere that electrified fencing is illegal for dogs and cats, but someone else may be able to confirm or deny that Edited April 1, 2013 by TheLBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Have you tried burying some mesh a few cms down horizontally along the fenceline, so when he tries to dig there he hits mesh? I feel like I read somewhere that electrified fencing is illegal for dogs and cats, but someone else may be able to confirm or deny that I think cattle tape is illegal, but sureguard have specialised products- ping string to deter possums, cats etc. Different voltage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 That makes sense - thanks SnT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddles Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 I know someone with the invisible fence and the collars, she swears by it, but the important thing with that is the training, they can burst through it. we use hotwire (electric fence) and I like it. if they stop working, the dogs know, BUT in my experience (and my dogs are not escape artists,) one zap, and they do not go near it again. ours is a standard "stock" electric fence unit, it delivers a decent belt (I've touched it a time or two) IMO, the electric wire is safer, on the grounds that if it malfunctions, it's not attached to the dog. we only run the unit occasionally, and as a rule it is turned off. BUT it is worth spending money to buy a quality unit (which ever way you go) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss2 Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 Thanks guys. So cheap option is a no go then! I hadn't thought of the mesh option. On my chook pen I have mesh that comes out a foot long from the fence, the fox digs right at the fence line and doesn't think to go back a bit I might try that. He's a highly intelligent dog and only little so I'm worried how much a zap would hurt him. I will keep researching and look at sureguard thank you:) Right now I'm having a coffee and the little sh$t has just made a new hole and is off exploring grrrrrr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 You can adjust the zap (well on mine you can). I have the Hidden Fence system installed (containment system using a collar and underground wires- they have a website)), however it's used in conjunction with good fencing. I also put in a lot of training with the dog in question. My brother installed an Innotek - more determined dog, storm phobic and no training with the system and it has been useless for their dog. It's not a brand thing in this situation as Ive used the Innotek one with good results before. My dog needed it on the highest zap. He only got zapped a couple of times before he worked it all out plus they give the dog plenty of warning with warning beeps before the actual zap. You will have to have one entrance/exit which is not electrified that your dog can go through with you. Depending on the dog but once they learn what is a no go zone you wont get them through it (and nor do you want them to either IMO). Just have the one gate that is a clear access for them but obviously the gate must contain the dog by itself. If you allow the dog back and forth IMO at various electrified points, it will only encourage them to challenge the system and/or confuse them about their boundary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DobieMum Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 I bought my electric fence years ago when mine were digging out. I ran it round the bottom of the fence, so they touched it, if they dug. It's a horse electric fence and it runs off a solar panel. I have felt the kick many times and it gives enough to tell you you shouldn't touch it. I think with my guys it's more the noise "crack" that it makes when they touch it. Now days they don't go near the fence, it doesn't worry them, they know its there and they respect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) i can not do anything to the fence as its a rental so now I'm looking into invisible fence or a standard electric fence. Hi. I know where you are coming from. My Siberian Husky is an escape artist and completely untrustworthy around stock/chickens etc so it is really important that she is fully contained. Although I was hesitant at first I have been using a radio containment fence for years now and they are fantastic. My dog has not received a shock from the fence for years as knows to avoid it. But here are a few things I've learnt and may be worth considering. - Don't import the fence from overseas as quarantine will confiscate the collar. They are illegal to import (although legal to buy in Australia) - They work best when combined with an existing fence. If they are used alone then it is possible the dog will bolt through the fence and then will get shocked coming back INTO their yard. I have a wire fence with the invisible/radio fence attached to the base with cable ties. Obviously you can bury them too if you prefer, but I found if you just cable tie them on, it is easy to take with you when you move. A wire by itself will also not stop other dogs entering your yard. - Make sure you get a collar that is suitable for your dog. I had to get the probes designed for long haired dogs and fit the collar quite tightly for my furry girl. There are also different size and strength collars available. - Test the collar regularly (at least fortnightly). The only time mine has failed is when a probe came loose and when the collar went flat. A stock of spare batteries is a must. Good luck! I hope this has helped :-) Edited April 2, 2013 by Tumbleweed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 The other cheap and totally removable option is to get heavy pavers or even railway sleepers and put them down next to the fence. When he digs, his hole will fill up with the paver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 depending on the layout ..grass/dirt/garden beds ...I would be tending to also place heavy or netted cover over the ground . You may enjoy reading what other people have done :) HERE HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bianca.a Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 I have run a hotwire around my 1 acre section and both dogs have touched it once and never again :) I think it cost me in the region of $200-$300 for all the bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sezy Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 I have an innotek system up for sale. It was great for my girl and even years after I moved from my parents she still would not cross where it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss2 Posted April 2, 2013 Author Share Posted April 2, 2013 Thanks everyone. I have done a bit more research and am now slightly worried that a collar style could possible malfunction..... A normal electric fence, would that seriously hurt a 7 kilo jack Russell? Railway sleeper is a good idea... I'm just on my way to work so will take a pic of the fence line and reply in more detail soon Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe001 Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 I have a horse electric fence (mains powered - not solar) around my yard and paddock to protect goats from wild dogs and keep goats in. It is backed up by a dog fence. Occasnally, one of the dogs touch it, yelp and don't go near it again for a while. When you say hurt - it is not like a kick or a cut - there is no residual pain. It is shock because it comes from no-where and is not expected. I have touched them many times testing them - and this is high powered cow fences. I would buy a solar or battery one (if mains no good)and run a wire around the base of the fence(about nose height). What is more important his life or a milli second zap?You will need an earth for it to work - some people forget this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss2 Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 thanks Pepe001, if anything ever happened to him and i hadnt done everything possible to fix it i would be beside my self. below is the fence in question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss2 Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss2 Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 I bought a Gallagher b10 will try it tomorrow! Fingers crossed thanks again everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 A normal electric fence wont "seriously hurt" a JR, if you mean "will it injure him?" We are on a farm & run normal stock electric fence around it. We run the wire around the top of our house yard & if the dogs touch it once, they wont touch it again, even if it is turned off...they don't forget. I have no trouble getting them to go out through the gate. If I had trouble with them digging under the fence, then I would run a wire just off the ground around the perimeter. Electric fences dont "injure" animals it just gives them a one off shock to tell them not to go there. It's a far better alternative to having them escape & maybe get run over, shot or stolen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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