Fence...physical or invisible??

winginit66 · Jun 9, 2015

Well, we have finally decided that we have to have a fence. Our yard is an irregular shape. The good news is that part of it borders with yards that are already fenced. Someone bought the empty lot next adjacent and with Wilson being *mostly* deaf, we can't risk him getting into that neighborhood.

The spraypaint green is where we will have to run fence. I need some type of access to the yard which is where I am stumped, and between the house and the outbuilding. I am thinking instead of gates a whole removable section of fence.

Anyone else out there have any ideas?

had a horrible time with the pics so I hope this has worked.

blushy · Jun 9, 2015

For the "removable section" just put hinges on an entire section of fence. That's what my gate to my backyard is.

We are re-doing our privacy fence as we speak. It's HARD work. I'd hire someone. But my husband "can do it" so here we are... Lol!

^Old fence but you can see it's an entire fence section...

2bullymama · Jun 9, 2015

Anne -- we did double gate to get our lawn mower and such in and out of our yard. Have you looked into that? What type of fence are you getting

winginit66 · Jun 10, 2015

2bullymama said:
Anne -- we did double gate to get our lawn mower and such in and out of our yard. Have you looked into that? What type of fence are you getting

Well, I was going with wood to match what already existed, but after this morning's quote I am not sure. Yes, I will need a double gate for my zero turn mower and to get a vehicle in/out if necessary.

blushy · Jun 10, 2015

Fence...finally

winginit66 said:
Well, I was going with wood to match what already existed, but after this morning's quote I am not sure. Yes, I will need a double gate for my zero turn mower and to get a vehicle in/out if necessary.

Our zero turn fits through. A fence panel is 8ft wide.

We built the fence ourself for about $1500 cheaper than buying already put together panels. Incl buying treated lumber...

All other types of fencing are more pricy (vinyl fencing, etc). The vinyl privacy fence we thought about going with was $108 a section, the wood was $48 a section.

winginit66 · Jun 10, 2015

We've got about 465 feet of fence to put up + 3 gates. I know I could do it myself (as long as I have something to dig the holes with). The quote was astronomical!!!

blushy · Jun 10, 2015

winginit66 said:
We've got about 465 feet of fence to put up + 3 gates. I know I could do it myself (as long as I have something to dig the holes with). The quote was astronomical!!!

Oh goodness.

We rented a 2 man auger, my husband and nephew did that while I followed them around shoveling/raking the mounds of dirt up into the trailer and garbage cans.

Yesterday we put up one side of posts. 120 lbs of cement per hole. Took my husband and his friend to do that with me standing by to help measure 8ft across while they held the posts & leveled them.

Ours is 224 ft of fencing, one gate.

Squishy Walnuts · Jun 10, 2015

winginit66 said:
We've got about 465 feet of fence to put up + 3 gates. I know I could do it myself (as long as I have something to dig the holes with). The quote was astronomical!!!

Wow! Big yard! That's what we did. We hired someone to dig the holes, then my husband put up the horizontal frames for each section and I came along and nailed in the vertical pieces.

2bullymama · Jun 10, 2015

winginit66 said:
Well, I was going with wood to match what already existed, but after this morning's quote I am not sure. Yes, I will need a double gate for my zero turn mower and to get a vehicle in/out if necessary.

We got black aluminum and LOVE it... we have close to an acre of land so it was very pricey, but well worth it

winginit66 · Jun 10, 2015

Yeah our yard is Huge. I am currently begging my 17 year old to put together a team to do the straight part of the fence and I will contract out the gates...

winginit66 · Jun 12, 2015

So... I've changed the thread title to physical vs invisible. My brother is pushing me on an invisible fence. I have some serious hesitations about one of those. I KNOW a physical fence will stop them (providing the gates are shut :sneaky2

. We have a neighbor who has a professionally installed invisible fence and before her Jack Russell passed it was down at our house frequently! My concern is that they will hear a dog barking (or whatever) in the neighborhood that butts up to our property and just decide to go for it and be gone.

Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with invisible fence and Frenchies? Thanks!

shortstuff · Jun 12, 2015

I've always been curious about invisible fences and may invest in one for my family's desert property that has no fences, but for my own home it makes me really nervous. I'm not sure what the wildlife situation is like in Virginia, but the thought of a rogue coyote hauling off with my little one is terrifying... I'd personally stick with a physical fence!

MaplesMommy · Jun 12, 2015

I have heard stories (actually quite a few) of dogs taking off. Especially if they have a high prey drive. The only time they will feel pain or a sound (depending on what kind of invisible fence) is when they 'break through' the fence. Once on the 'other site' and further away from the house they will then 'be free'. And once they have done it,they will likely do it over and over again.

I also dont like the idea of having a sensor so close to my dog 24/7. There is already enough radiation around us.

winginit66 · Jun 12, 2015

shortstuff said:
I've always been curious about invisible fences and may invest in one for my family's desert property that has no fences, but for my own home it makes me really nervous. I'm not sure what the wildlife situation is like in Virginia, but the thought of a rogue coyote hauling off with my little one is terrifying... I'd personally stick with a physical fence!

Good point Megan. However, it will not necessarily keep the rest of the wildlife out... A few coyotes have been seen in our area, and a bear but mostly we have deer in our yard that like to snack on the fruit trees.

davidh · Jun 12, 2015

I do not trust invisible fencing, because I have heard of dogs running straight throw them. Have you thought about just fencing a small section behind the house, just for the dogs to run and play, using the metal fencing, so you still have a view of all your property, and it will not be as expensive as fencing the whole thing, then put in a double gate so your mower will fit.

blushy · Jun 12, 2015

I don't think I'd go with invisible fencing. Maybe in my front yard for extra emergency precautions when walking with my pups but not for the majority of the yard.

I've also heard, as was mentioned, once they are "free" it's over. And frenchies being as resilient as they are? I wouldn't trust it to stop them.

winginit66 · Jun 12, 2015

davidh said:
I do not trust invisible fencing, because I have heard of dogs running straight throw them. Have you thought about just fencing a small section behind the house, just for the dogs to run and play, using the metal fencing, so you still have a view of all your property, and it will not be as expensive as fencing the whole thing, then put in a double gate so your mower will fit.

That was my husband's idea too... But I hate chopping up the yard.

Tgirl · Jun 15, 2015

I would stick with physical fence. I know of too many dogs that have learned to run through the invisible fence. Plus, a stray dog or whatever can run right into the yard with the invisible one.

blushy · Jun 15, 2015

Tgirl said:
I would stick with physical fence. I know of too many dogs that have learned to run through the invisible fence. Plus, a stray dog or whatever can run right into the yard with the invisible one.

Yes that's a main reason of our privacy fence. Keeping people AND animals alike OUT. And our family and doggies safe!

Our neighbors have a GIANT pitbull who's been known to roam over to my yard. Too close for comfort for me to not have a privacy fence. I've almost walked Isabelle right over to him! And I have the actual fence! Yikes!