After reading the invisible fence thread in GD I wanted to get some opinions on my situation.
I have a 6’ fence around my backyard which after a year my dog discovered he could jump. So I am looking at two options; either getting an IF buried right next to my fence to keep him from going over or getting a second dog since he doesn’t escape from any of my friends places despite shorter fences.
I’m not sure which is the better option but it seems that most people are having a relatively positive response to the IF. Getting a second dog is going to be a lot of work since I live by myself and wouldn’t have any help with the exercising or entertaining. My dog is mainly a hiking companion and fishing buddy so I would hate to have to leave the second dog at home while we went off.
Based on his current activity he doesn’t seem to have any urge to do anything else but play with another dog so I’m 90% sure it would work. I don’t know anyone who has used the IF so I’m a bit leery and don’t have the money for a professional install so if I do it I’ll get the system from Home Depot this weekend.
As I posted in the other thread, my BIL has had good success in a situation similar to yours, installing an IF along his fence.
I’m not sure exactly what you mean about the 2d dog - you think the 2d dog will keep the 1st from jumping? What if both decide to jump? Gonna get a 2d one with short legs?
We recently got a 2d dog, and are very pleased. We consider it very little additional effort. It takes no more effort to walk 2 dogs than 1, and they entertain each other quite a bit. The main increases are expense - food and vet, and poop!
Not sure why dog #2 couldn’t accompany you on hikes and fishing as well.
Actually that was exactly the plan for the 2nd dog, large enough that he couldn’t go under the fence but small/unathletic enough that he couldn’t go over. I was thinking English bulldog. Which is basically why I couldn’t take him out hiking. Although the dog who’s backyard my dog is in right now is an English foxhound and my dog hasn’t led him astray despite being in a backyard that is nothing but sand.
You post about your BIL gave me hope so I figured I’d start this and see if there were others that had similar experiences or if I was missing an option.
My mother and step-father had a lot of luck with invisible fencing and their wire fox terrier. Even when chasing squirrels he stops at the edge. The fire station in their community also had a dalmation who was very well trained to the fence. It does take a bit of training, though. Don’t expect the dog to figure it out by himself.
I had less luck with my german shepherd. It did a good job at first, so he knew his boundries and that he’d get a shock if he crossed them. He just didn’t care. And found if he went swimming he’d kill the collar.
I’ve got an Anatolian Sheppard mutt. They are supposed to be pretty pain resistant like Germans and what worries me is that he’ll find getting across the fence to be more important then the shock. But terriers are pretty tenacious so I guess those stories cancel each other out.
The size of the second dog may not even matter. If your current dog has a companion, he may have no need to escape to find a playmate.
Do you have a friend who will let you borrow a dog for a week? You can have a test run and see if your dog stays put. Then you won’t invest in a 2nd without knowing if that solution works or not.
I will say as a person who owns six dogs, that I don’t think dogs should be by themselves all day while you work. They need companionship, probably more than I do. Two dogs aren’t much more work than one, and I think they’re happier.
Why not get another dog that can go hiking with you? It seems like a bulldog won’t suit your lifestyle, so why that breed (which has a lot of health problems and probably shouldn’t spend a lot of time outside in the heat)? Rescue a medium sized adult dog from the pound or a rescue society so you know the temperament and can make sure it gets along with your dog, and all should be well. Your dog will definitely be happier with a companion. Two dogs aren’t much more work than one (three dogs is, it’s hard for one person to walk three dogs).
Agreed. Your pet needs a pet. But get one that can go along on your hikes, etc. It’s just cruel to leave one home alone while the other is off having fun.
I always advize two dogs over one. They need more play time than our lives can provide. I really think two are easier (and healthier) than one.
