[jayneliz]

Okay - get out your blow torches...

I live on 4 acres in a rather rual area. I wanted my dogs to have free roam of all the land, the orchards, etc. A six-foot chain link fence was not only unattractive (IMHO) but was not cost effective.

I've had my invisible fence for 12 years now, both at this property and at our previous home. I've had two Rotts, a Ridgie mix, and a Queensland Heeler on it. One Rott, my Ridgie and my heeler all had VERY high prey drives. Like, VERY high. To date, I've never had a dog leave my yard. Through training, the dog is taught (without the collar, I might add) where his 'safe zone' (for lack of a better term) is. Training lasts several weeks/months before the dog is ever introduced to a collar, and even then the collar isn't introduced until the dog is repeatedly exhibiting the wanted behavior (not approaching the fence line.) Once the collar is placed on the the dog, should the dog approach the fenceline, they are given a warning buzz. If he continues, a shock, and if he eventually crosses the line, the fence stops altogether. There is no continuing shock if the dog should leave the property, although I've never had this happen. You are correct that if the dog approaches the line to get BACK into the yard, he will get jolted again. I probably spent as much in training time with my dogs as I would have monetarily with a chain link fence!

I truly like my invisible fence, however, there ARE downsides to it. If the dog is not trained properly and does leave the yard, he cannot return without getting a jolt. It does not keep coyotes, groundhogs and the like out of the yard. It doesn't keep neighbors out, or children, although this is a non-issue for us given our neighbors are a goodly ways away, have been socialized with all my dogs, and are all adults, who do not enter our yard. We spend a great deal of time outside with our dogs, tending to the orchards, gardening, etc., so they don't spend much time outside unsupervised. Regardless, they have four acres to run on, without worry of them leaving the back yard. I do not let my dogs in the front yard (we live on a rather fast paced roadway) and I don't want anyone stealing them, either, which an invisible fence won't protect against.

As in any situation with a canine, I believe the Invisible Fence was the best choice I could make for MY dogs and I was willing to put the time and effort into training them on it, and respecting its limitations. With a lot of land and no close neighbors, it was the best choice FOR ME. Those who live in a suburban setting, may chose a chain link, just for the safety features when it comes to nosey neighbors or children entering your yard.

Incidentally, I just returned a few months ago from a trip back to where I got my Aeva from. After two or three training sessions, showing her the boundaries of the yard, she never opted to leave the yard, even when a ball bounced acrossed the road or a rabbit darted across. I contribute this in part to her 'boundary' training at home.