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  1. #1
    Real Retriever KenZ71's Avatar
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    Invisible Fence DIY or hire pros?

    So the OH has been bugging me about an invisible fence. I prefer a wire fence as I feel it is more secure keeping dogs / kids in and neighbor kids, dogs wildlife out.

    However some battles it is better to walk away from and save the fight for another issue.

    So, should I do the Invisible Fence install myself or hire the pros? The diy route could be a good project with my kids and teach them some new words while digging a trench around the yard

    FWIW the prior homeowners installed a similar system but their are a few line breaks. Is it worth trying to splice it back together? That wire has been in the ground at least 9 years.

    Any brand recommendations to buy or avoid?
    -- Ken, owned by:

    Max - Black Lab mix gotcha 4/23/2012 Born 12/2011
    Scarlett - Yellow Lab gotcha 4/19/2013 Born 2008? 2007?
    Lizzy - Terrier mix gotcha 6/29/2014 Born 2006?
    Zeus - Papillon mix gotcha 1/30/2015 Born 3/26/2014

    Avatar: Ziggy, my kitty who crossed the bridge a few years ago.
    He slept in the sink for years, silly boy.
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  2. #2
    Real Retriever KenZ71's Avatar
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    Edit: would any of the system's collar do double duty as a bark deterrent also?
    -- Ken, owned by:

    Max - Black Lab mix gotcha 4/23/2012 Born 12/2011
    Scarlett - Yellow Lab gotcha 4/19/2013 Born 2008? 2007?
    Lizzy - Terrier mix gotcha 6/29/2014 Born 2006?
    Zeus - Papillon mix gotcha 1/30/2015 Born 3/26/2014

    Avatar: Ziggy, my kitty who crossed the bridge a few years ago.
    He slept in the sink for years, silly boy.
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  3. #3
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    We have an Invisible Fence brand system. They have worked fine for 4 of our dogs at 3 different homes and is invisible, whereas a wire fence obviously would not be. One of our bullmastiffs was such a friendly (and maybe dense) beast that he would walk out through the barrier and then walk back in when the mood hit him. Our labs have been very easy to train and stay inside the fence with no problems. They don't chase rabbits or squirrels across the fence, although they do give chase in our yard. They don't go across if people are walking by with dogs. As you point out, it doesn't stop other animals from entering your yard and we have had some dogs stop by to play if they had escaped their own yards. There are a few dogs in the neighborhood who aren't the most friendly animals and I hope they never get loose. I'm pretty much always outside with my 2 if they're outside, so I'd see if there was trouble.

    We had an issue with the system in another home, it was knocked out by lightning strikes on a number of occasions. We've had some breaks in the wire that are easy for the company to find and fix. They recently upgraded the receiver on the collar, supposedly to offer more options. I don't know if it includes bark reduction also or not. Obviously they're not inexpensive but we've been able to bring the collar receiver and use it for a new system when we've moved. I haven't used any other systems to compare but we've been satisfied with IF.
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

  4. #4
    House Broken Maggie's Mom's Avatar
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    We had a physical fence installed at our house, which I do love. However, many people in our neighborhood have the electronic fence. Most have the Invisible Fence brand, but one family has a do it yourself system. The only dog who leaves his yard regularly is the yellow lab on the do it yourself system. We looked in to the Invisible fence and they come out and include training of the dog too.

  5. #5
    Best Friend Retriever Snowco Labradors's Avatar
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    the wire should still be good after 9 years. If you know where all the breaks are splice them well and see if the system still operates. If you don't know where they are but know where the wire is layed out on the property email me and I will send you instructions on locating breaks with an am radio.

    Collars do not work for barking. The I.F. brand life time collar (guarantee) is worth it. Replaced for free no matter what happens to it.

    I have had the system for 20 years with 100% success with about 10 dogs.

    Where do you live? If you have to install a new system let me know and I can send you a $100 coupon toward the system with I.F. brand. This coupon is not valid on DIY installation. The company will sell you what you need to self install though.

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Snowco Labradors For This Useful Post:

    KenZ71 (06-18-2014)

  7. #6
    Real Retriever KenZ71's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowco Labradors View Post
    the wire should still be good after 9 years. If you know where all the breaks are splice them well and see if the system still operates. If you don't know where they are but know where the wire is layed out on the property email me and I will send you instructions on locating breaks with an am radio.

    Collars do not work for barking. The I.F. brand life time collar (guarantee) is worth it. Replaced for free no matter what happens to it.

    I have had the system for 20 years with 100% success with about 10 dogs.

    Where do you live? If you have to install a new system let me know and I can send you a $100 coupon toward the system with I.F. brand. This coupon is not valid on DIY installation. The company will sell you what you need to self install though.
    Replying here for the benefit of others who land here from a search: Just saw a YouTube clip showing how to find the line breaks - I assume the system should be plugged in while scanning with the radio. I think the only AM radio we have is a clock radio, hope the power cord won't cause interference!!

    I will follow up with my results in a day or two.
    -- Ken, owned by:

    Max - Black Lab mix gotcha 4/23/2012 Born 12/2011
    Scarlett - Yellow Lab gotcha 4/19/2013 Born 2008? 2007?
    Lizzy - Terrier mix gotcha 6/29/2014 Born 2006?
    Zeus - Papillon mix gotcha 1/30/2015 Born 3/26/2014

    Avatar: Ziggy, my kitty who crossed the bridge a few years ago.
    He slept in the sink for years, silly boy.
    Hidden Content

  8. #7
    Best Friend Retriever Sue's Avatar
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    I'm for a DIY installation. You don't need to hand dig a trench. You can rent a power trencher at any renter center or hardware store and make short work of it.

    I use the Pet Safe Stubborn Dog, and am very very pleased with it, and the company. I had a failure of the unit from a power surge (do invest in a lightning protector specific to the fence system) and they replaced it out of warranty for a small fee (I think it was $25).

    I like mine, as it uses standard, not proprietary, batteries (9 volt), and lasts a long time. It's good for up to 10 acres, and has a vibrate warning along with tone. Important with older dogs, as I have.

    P.S. A line break locator is relatively inexpensive. The AM radio trick is okay, I guess, but for a few bucks, might as well get a good one.

    Amazon.com : PetSafe Pet Fence Wire Break Locator Kit with Handle Accessory : Wireless Pet Fence Products : Pet Supplies

    I believe it works with Invisible Fence, according to some reviews.

    Editing to add, this is a great site to visit to learn about do it yourself installations, including reviews of various brands. Good prices and service on some stuff, too.

    DIY a Dog Fence Cheaper than Invisible Fence® —
    Last edited by Sue; 06-18-2014 at 06:00 PM.

  9. #8
    Senior Dog Doreen Davis's Avatar
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    HI, we had an Invisible Fence installed 13 years ago and it is still fine. We only dug across the driveway/front yard and the rest resides above the ground a few feet in from our mowed yard in the woods, no digging necessary. We have a piece of equipement that is used with an AM radio that detects breaks and we can easily repair.

    We have had 7 dogs on the invisible fence and never had an issue. Labs train up beautifully, the collie was a bit distracted. We got a new pup (Anthony) just recently and I was 13 years out from our last dog. We paid approximately 200 to have the trainer come out and make sure Anthony followed the 3 week course. He's 8 months old and totally trustworthy out there although as with all labs he'd rather be with his peeps and I don't let him out of my sight. But we are not able to have a physical fence so the ability for him to be able to run is invaluable. As to the DIY, the only dog I saw break through was on a DIY, but it could have been the person and not the fence:-)

  10. #9
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    We have the Stubborn Dog fence from PetSafe. We haven't trained our pup yet, but our Malamutes have had great success learning/staying in their boundaries. We have a trencher that we used to bury the wire. I'd rather have a real fence, but we can't do chainlink and wood is very expensive. In the meantime, this works well and yes, it is invisible.

  11. #10
    Senior Dog Jax's Mom's Avatar
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    We did our fence. It was made easier by a grass edge-er that had a metal blade. It made the perfect depth and was much easier than digging.

 



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