Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi ALL!
We are moving to the new house in the 2 month and I already been told by my new neighbor that if I have a dog I need to put fence around my yard. I'm thinking about invisible fence for my 5 y.o. GSD. What brand you can recommend me for a German Shepherd?

Thanks.
Greg

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>>Hi ALL!
>>We are moving to the new house in the 2 month and I already been told by my new neighbor that if I have a dog I need to put fence around my yard. I'm thinking about invisible fence for my 5 y.o. GSD. What brand you can recommend me for a German Shepherd?
>>
>>
>>Thanks.
>>Greg

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I doubt that the neighbor meant an invisible fence. A real fence provides protection for your dog from roaming dogs as well as for any wandering children who might otherwise be tempted to cross the boundary and tease your dog. Many dogs will run through the shock of an invisible fence if sufficiently stimulated, and GSDs do get stimulated by passing things. Some dogs develop phobias about the yard and increased aggression about things they are looking at when they feel the shock. Proper use of an invisible fence requires careful training, and it's not recommended that the dog be out there without you even after training.

Real fences are truly the best kind for dogs. I like chain link more than wood, since wood likes to rot and fall down! Some of the more expensive materials can be good, too, like vinyl, rock, brick and metal. Chain link is reasonably priced, durable, and you can get it in discreet colors like green if you wish.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

You can Perty much chain link a yard for the same price as a good electrical fence, plus you don't have to worry about the prongs digging your dogs neck. But if neighbors you hardly know are bossing you around I would put up a vinyl privacy fence.

Just my $.02

Everyone here seems to be on the same wavelength in terms of getting a chainlink fence...Just keep in mind that if you've never had to fence in your dog before they might be more inclined to escape, ie digging or jumping. Our rescued rottweiler used to clear 8 ft fences when stimulated, whether we were in there with him or not. so we had to put in a top to our fence. Later on we were told that we could have installed a radio fence on top...If the dogs head goes above a certain amount of feet (to your setting) it will send off a radio signal that will irritate the dogs ear (but won't shock)...discouraging the dog from jumping out. just something to think about, but personally you really shouldn'tleave a dog outside by itself for long periods of time, too easy for people to steal them or do harm to them.