So, we put the fence in on Sunday, got one training session in that night.  I did 3 more sessions yesterday at the first step, he was doing very well.  I just went out this AM with him, played with his hedgehog, walked over the line away from him, threw his toy over too.  He only tried to cross it one time when we first went out and instantly turned around.  He keeps a good distance from the flags too .  Along with this, when we are walking around the yard he is learning to stay right by my side, come when I call him, and we are also working on learning other commands within a very short distance of the wire so as to get him comfortable being close to it.

He is doing SO good already and we are only on day two! I am so proud of my little bugger.  Now in a few more days we will have to see how he does with other animals on the other side of the fence   That is my only real worry as he just LOVES other people and dogs.  I am going to try to inlist the help on my neighbors and their dogs for distractions, hopefully all goes well.  If this works as well as it seems it will it will be so good for him!!! 

Sorry this was so long!  Any pointers or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Nope! He's still doing great. Had some kids from the neighborhood stand on the other side and walk along the fence line. He walked towards it once and immediately turned around. Then the next time the kids came by he just layed down and watched them!! YAY!!

I am so glad you posted this. I've been looking into getting an electric fence as well.  Tinkerbelle keeps escaping when my 3 year old opens the door.  She won't come back once she is at rocket speed and I cringe every time and pray that no cars will come by.  I live on a cul-de-sac street, but still it's a big neighborhood and we do have passers-by.  What kind did you get?  I have also been looking at a wireless electric fence.  You just plug it in and set the distance for the perimeter.  You don't have to bury any wires, but they give you flags to help train the dogs to where that perimeter is.  Have you heard of this type? 

Eager to hear more!

Carol

Thanks!! He is always squinting!! He looks like his dad!

Thanks!

This is what I have.  It is the Petsafe brand.  Petsmart sells them, but if you have a Tractor Supply Company store nearby, they have it cheaper.  I love ours!!

We spent about $400.00 on ours, but we also bought an extra collar and batteries for it.  The collar was supposed to be for Sampson, but he was losing weight so bad and was under the eight pound limit that we didn't use it on him.  Now I'm just scared that he won't hear the beep...his hearing is going...and will get "bit" by it too much.  He doesn't go out much anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter.  We'll just use the extra collar on the Lab that we are getting at Christmas.

When we moved into this house, we had both our large dogs, Dexter and Bandit. Dexter could never be trusted no matter what I did trying to train him to stay on our previous property, he would do well then all of a sudden would give me this "look" his rear would drop and bam - off he would go/ Sorta like he heard traveling music! Anyway, this property is an acre and a half. The previous owners had the entire property wired with the "Invisible Fence Brand" That in itself was an expense. We had a rep come over and educate us on the product. He convinced us to give it a try. We got the collars for both dogs and they did two training sessions with all the flags. The second was with the static shock correction. It is their feelings that a 3rd party should give your dog the first static correction so as not to have the dog think you caused them the discomfort. Our dogs were perfect right from there. A couple of weeks of walking them around (we were still skeptical of Dexter) and the big day arrived where I closed my eyes and took them out without the leash - no problems! We just set out the flags again and began training Smokey. Again used the pros for the first two sessions. All dogs learn differently and hunting types are more easily distracted than others. Hence - Smokey who chases bees was a concern to the trainer. So far, after 2 sessions with me. I can stand on the other side of the flags with the leash fully extended and Smokey will walk to about 10 feet from the flags and just lay down. When walking the perimeter if he strays too close and the sound alarm goes off, he turns and takes off.

It will be great when the two of them can have all this space to run and play - for me at least, the expenditure far outweighs the thought of containing them or worse having something terrible happen to them. Possible vet bills for serious injury could be more than our "investment"

Bill

Welcome to the site!!!  Jack is 11-12lbs and he has the petsafe "small dog" fence. Not to bulky at all. Not sure if there are any smaller unless you were to go professional installation invisible fence (same maker BTW). Otherwise I don't see a problem with these. What color and how old is your rattie?! We would love to hear more and see pics!

Edited to add:  The collar in the pic is the collar for the fence

Good to have you on the site.....We used the same unit we had on our dog who passed away and he was 60lbs. I was concerned about the size, as you are, but it really isn't bulky at all. They adjusted the power on the unit so Smokey would not get it in full. Since he has been in the yard, he only ventured into the correction zone twice. For a few days now, he stays a good 10 feet away. I have had him out loose a couple of times with leash in hand and he has had all sorts of distractions and he just stays away from the flags. Tell you the truth, our big dog has been using the system for 4 years and he doesn't wear the collar at all. He has learned his boundaries and has yet to cross them.

Yup.....the fence is great....really nice to be able to have so much space for the dogs to run and play without the worry. The correction is humane and I held the thing in my hand and walked into the field. My comic wife wanted the trainer to fit me with one! LOL

Hey...Have a great 4th!!!!!