Need advice on Dog Fencing

Mikek101 · Dec 21, 2004

My small farm sits on 8.5 acres in central Mass. with my closest neighbor being 1/2 mile away.

Recently the owner of the land across the street has broken ground on his new home. My first encounter with him was less than ideal, as my two dogs greeted him on the road with barks, as they were not use to seeing people around, they are very friendly dogs and have never bitten anyone. He yelled at me that the town has a leash law (which they don’t) and that he did not like dogs.

Anyhow its been several months since he has been back, until yesterday when I got a call from the dog officer that he called the police 3 times yesterday about my dogs. The dog officer said I must contain my dogs and they are not allowed to roam free anymore.

So I need advice on the best way to fence in my property in the most economical way. The boundaries to my land is wooded and I was thinking of tying the fence to the trees. I’ve looked at both wire mesh and high tensile wire, but am not sure which is better.

I need the entire property fenced, as I depend on my dogs to guard children when they play outside, my horse and 2 goats. They are protective of their land, but would not bite unless seriously provoked.

Any suggestions is appreciated.

[image]http://client.webshots.com/photo/108012337/108448595kBJdtL[/image]

Dargo · Dec 21, 2004

I fenced in 12 acres about 9 years ago with an "Invisible Fence" brand invisible fence. It has performed wonderfully and I've never had any of my dogs leave. I change batteries about once every 9 months, otherwise, it requires nothing. I tried several "no name", but much less expensive "invisible fence" systems with terrible results. If lightning hit anythere within two counties, the cheap versions fried. Go with the Invisible Fence brand, it will cost more, but it will serve you well for many years. I think my whole system for 12 acres and two dogs cost me just over 1000 installed. I'm pleased with it!

Mikek101 · Dec 21, 2004

I tried the invisible fence with one of my dogs, he ran through it. I even purchased the stubborn dog collar, he ran through the fence quicker.

Thanks for the advice though.

Dargo · Dec 21, 2004

You must not have the version I have. I had the collars are physically programmed to a higher lever. Now, a full sized German Shepherd Dog will literally drop to the ground in uncontrollable seizures. The cheaper fences, and the cheaper collars with the Invisible Fence brand allowed my Shelties to even go through the fence. Unless it is specified and re-programmed, the animal rights people prevent them from standard issue of this collar. Until they learn not to try, you trim the hair to be really short where the collar meets their throat, and put a slight coat of Vasiline on them. I agree with the programmer, he said that isn't a dog alive that can go through that without being totally dropped and rolling through in spasms.

JD3130 · Dec 21, 2004

I had the same problem, So I just put chain link around 3 acres for a yard, and regular farm fencing around the other 30. Keeps everyone happy and didn't cost a lot. Good neighbor relations in the country is a lot more important than in the city!!! Now if I just figure out how to keep his 20 cats out of my barn???

theboman · Dec 21, 2004

On the cats in the barn.... Put your dogs there! ha.

gsxr1100 · Dec 21, 2004

I will just say this about Invisible Fences, they work great; however, I would not leave the dog un-supervised. If the dog(s) get out, it is a killer trying to get them back in. My wife’s friend had one and it took a week just to get the dog into the yard. It is a double edge sword so to speak.

PS. Welcome to good-old taxachusetts.

Doug_SEIndiana · Dec 21, 2004

Hi Mike101
I have used the underground fencing to keep two Beagles and it worked great. I have only used the underground fencing for about 2 or 3 acres. My biggest advice would be to properly train your dogs. Follow the instructions very carefully and you should not have your dogs running through the fence. If I can keep 2 Beagles from going through it I'm sure it would work for most all dogs.

Yesterday I purchased a wireless radio fence system. I have 62 acres and would like to allow my Beagles to run more acreage than the 2 or 3 they run now. The new system transmits a radio frequency from your house or garage that can be adjusted to how strong the frequency is which relates to how big an area your dogs can roam w/o getting shocked. My friend installed it and he has 15 acres and it worked great for him. No underground wire to install and if trained properly I can't see why it wouldn't work. I have seen them at Tractor Supply and Petsmart stores.

Hope this helps. I'll let you know how mine works.

Mark4510 · Dec 21, 2004

Did the dog officer define "contained"?

JimR · Dec 21, 2004

( I tried the invisible fence with one of my dogs, he ran through it. I even purchased the stubborn dog collar, he ran through the fence quicker.

Thanks for the advice though. )

I have one dog that won't cross the fence. The other could care less and runs it everyday both ways. Now it doesn't work because of a break and I won't fix it. The easy way out for you is to shoot the neighbor and end the problems before they start. Of course I'm only kidding here. But he sounds like a real hem--roud. So the next best thing is to watch him to make sure he abides by all the laws and building codes. He sounds like trouble and you should be watchful of him. As for the dogs. Does your town have a lease law? If not, then the dog officer has overstepped his bounds if your dogs do not leave your property. Ma. is full of pigheaded idiots that have a little power and it goes to their heads. I've lived here all my life and just wish I could convince the wife to pack it in and leave this state. Fencing in your dogs may make them meaner because they cannot reach what they want to.

PBinWA · Dec 21, 2004

I too have a big dog that learned that if he runs fast enough that he can handle the jolt on the way through.

I use 3'-4' field fence around my dog area and then run the wire along the bottom of the fence about 12" up. It works fine. The fence slows the dog down enough to make them reconsider escaping. With just a fence or just the wire the dog would get around them - combined they work much better.

Now they respect the fence and don't even try to get out. They also jump to attention with a look of concern if I have any digital toys that beep similar to the collar. With the invisible fence the collar beeps before a shock is given.

I think a big dog will need some form of visual or physical barrier to really get the system to work. Maybe a really good system will work without the fence but what I have works fine.

JimR · Dec 21, 2004

I could walk my Pit-Bull/Golden Retriever along the fence line and watch her neck quiver. She will look at me with a face like "What are you doing to me? Do you think that really bothers me?"

Freds · Dec 21, 2004

I love talking dogs Mike, can I ask whay kind of dogs you have and what they were trained to protect children, horses and goats from?

Your new neighbor to be doesn't sound too neighborly to call the DLO on you, but maybe he has a real dog phobia and it's safer for your dogs in the long run to keep them on their own property. You don't want the guy poisoning them or shooting them. You would think he would have had the decency to have a one on one with you about the situation.

I'm interested in the replies too, because I would like to fence my own property someday. My dogs are never out unattended, so they are always under control and don't run onto the road, but I would like to keep other dogs off my property.
I've read about those ultra sonic sound things you can put up to keep animals at bay. They would work on any dog (or other sensitive hearing animal) without needing a collar and would work to keep your dogs from leaving and other dogs from approaching. You stick them in the ground where you want the boundry to be. Does anyone have firsthand experience with these?

Mikek101 · Dec 21, 2004

They said contained means under our control, meaning they may not be away from us when they are outside. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Mikek101 · Dec 21, 2004

One of the dogs is a greyhound that smiles (When he smiles he shows his teath, I think this is what he did to the future neighbor) the other dog is a lab/coon-hound mix.

Freds · Dec 21, 2004

Ahhh, visual deterrants... I thought you actually meant they were trained to guard or protect.
Unless you have some killer rabbits in your area /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I would be surprised if an invisible fence would keep these two in if they wanted to give chase to a critter that catches their eye, especially the Greyhound.

JimR · Dec 21, 2004

( One of the dogs is a greyhound that smiles (When he smiles he shows his teath, I think this is what he did to the future neighbor) the other dog is a lab/coon-hound mix. )

Oh My, such terrible breeds you have there Mike. Sounds like Mr. New Neighbor is a dog hater. Maybe you could leave a puppy on his stairs once he moves in and see what he does with it.

Mark4510 · Dec 22, 2004

thats just wrong. I guess if the dogs were worrying livestock or getting after children I could see it. But not something so minor.

Sorry you have to deal with this. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

chucko · Dec 22, 2004

He will need or want something from you one day....his truck will be stuck he will need a jump start or something.That is the day to remind him of this

JoeR · Dec 22, 2004

Invisible fences are good at keeping your dogs in, but it doesn't keep other dogs out. If your area is growing, then it will eventually happen when someone elses pet comes over and creates turmoil on your property. I prefer field fence since it works both ways... Just food for thought.

Joe