I have heard that these can be effective at keeping dogs in when fencing and walls are not enough of a deterrent. My dog is an inveterate escape artist and, despite having a bad back thinks nothing of jumping up to 4'6". He doesn't (usually) go far and comes home willingly but he simply can't resist leaping any barrier. Even when I am with him in the garden if I look away for a second he is gone. I worry terribly that he will be hurt or lost and so, with some misgivings I am wondering about these sonic deterrents.
Does anyone have any experience of these? I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you.

4'6" is nothing - most medium sized dogs could clear 6' if they wanted to.  IMHO sonic collars for barking are just about useless, as the noise just isn't a big enough 'anti reward' to compensate for the reward the dog experiences from barking - so is it really going to be effective enough to stop a dog jumping a fence?

I'd suggest your money would be better spend on improving your fencing, or fencing in a smaller area to keep your dog in.  And work on your relationship so he doesn't *want* to go exploring on his own......

Are you suggesting that rather than managing your environment in order to prevent the escape (and possible death/theft) of your dog (not to mention the possible death/injury of innocent pedestrians/car drivers in the event of your dog causing an RTA) you would prefer to zap him with electricity?

If you ask anyone anywhere what they consider adequate fencing for MOST dogs it would be 6ft; in some cases this would not be sufficient and therefore you add an inward overhang.  The first thing I would reach for was the fencing contractor!

Also, I wonder why your dog has this insatiable appetite for escape even when you are in the garden with him?!

I don't have any experience with them as I have never found them to be necessary.

although I am new to this forum tohme I have noticed that you are offensive to other people as well. Perhaps its in your nature as it is in my dog's nature to roam. Personally I have no desire to deliver an electric shock to my dog but to you? well, that's another matter!

Game, set and match I think :D

If you cannot control your dog, don't own it!

I believe the post you are replying to said SONIC, not ELECTRIC.  These are two completely different things.  Perhaps criticism should be held back until you actually read the post you are replying to?

Wendy

From what I've read about them, you would need to have a very large garden (at least an acre) for it to be worthwhile: because they start to activate when the dog approaches to within a few yards of the fence, you would need plenty of room unless he was to be 'zapped' as soon as he went outside. :( The first thing to do is increase the height of your fence - a 2' trellis at the top would certainly help, and not be too obtrusive.

When I was younger we had an English Springer - could very easily clear the 6' fence that seperated us from the sawmill to our rear!  Until we got the fence raised by another 2' we were constantly getting knocks on the door by amused sawmill workers!  Thankfully they all knew her by sight so knew where she lived and that she was a sweet natured dog.  I have my suspicions that they used to tempt her over.....

Now we have Staffies who just can't manage the jump - thank God!

first of all, my first instinct after reading your post, was 4 ft?????  make it at least 6-8 feet.  that will help. 

tohme~  do sonic collars zap or just make a noise?  i think sonic implys a kind of high pitched noise rather than an electrical shock. 
also, i don't think it is nice of you to imply that this person's dog doesn't want to hang around with her iin the garden.  lots and lots of dogs have that wanderlust.  they just want to go check other stuff out.  they are bored and curious.  so, it just doesn't mean that her dog hates to be with her. 

if i were her, i would try to do some things intermitently with the dog while she is out in the garden with it.  like when im out in the yard with my dog, sometimes im busy washing the car or watering the garden.  i can't always devote 100% of the time to entertaining my dog.  so, i go about my business and then stop here and there and throw the ball for the dog for a few minutes.  then i go back to what i am doing for a while.  i go back and forth like this and it keeps my dog from wanting to wander off because he never knows when the next time im going to throw his ball for him. 
otherwise he would run off too.  not because he doesn't want to hang around me but because he is a healthy, confident, and independent individual. 

How will noise deter a dog from escape?  Because the noise warns that if that signal is ignored a "zap" will follow!

If the dog is bored and curious then the cure is simple make life a bit more interesting! 

None of my dogs have ever shown any desire to leave my garden irrespective of whether or not I am in it!  They are certainly not bored and as their curiosity levels are high I ensure that they have plenty of exercise and training so that wish would never develop!  I think I can safely say that my dogs are healthy, very confident and quite independent!

As I am the source of "all good things" to paraphrase Paul Newman "why go out for hamburger when they have steak at home" :D :D

Well, that's just b.s. I have 4 dogs. The two Chihuahuas are not brave enough to leave their safety. They know they're small. They stick close. My Doberman stays close. It's the breed. He thinks he has a job to do by staying close to me. My 13 yr. old Lab is extremely sociable, loves to meet new people. If she were a person, she'd turn a crowd of uptight, shy, quiet people into a friendly, lively group. She'd get people to open up.

I have a good relationship with all my dogs. I am good and kind to them. We do things together off and on all day long. They get a real hike in the mountains where I live, not some leashed up walk around the block or dog park. They get to explore new trails, streams, lakes, woods every single day. When at home, I'm right there doing my gardening while intermittently doing something with the dogs... they get plenty of attention. I don't work and am with them 24/7. My next door neighbors get a visitor every day in the summer when they're here. (only here in summer) Yup. Miss social butterfly Bonnie. I can be in my yard with her and she sees them and waddles over swaying her tail to greet them. They love her a lot and she's welcome there. They give her treats. She'll lie down in their grass for a while and visit. Then she'll waddle back home again later on.

In other words, this dog likes variety....different people to meet. It doesn't mean that she has a boring, unfulfilling life or a lousy home. So, be careful how you jump to conclusions. There are breeds that are more prone to wanting to "hunt" or explore even when their home life is great. When she was younger and there were all kinds of children at home to hang out with, (she loves NOTHING more than children) she still would wander next door, go hunting for rabbits in the wilderness where I use to live. She didn't go far, but she has been independent. A couple of years ago, found her down at the school (1/4 mile away) during a baseball game of the elementary kids. She must have heard their joyfull screeching. LOL. I later heard that she ran out and got the ball, entertaining everyone. Someone called her over to them and she was a spectator for the rest of the game. Here, everyone knows everyone, tiny little place. Yes, every so often she makes an escape. She's so dang friendly, how can I squelch her free spirit? (LOL)I'm glad I live in a place where there is extreme low population. It's safe here...no traffic etc. Mostly she stays home, but a couple times a month, she'll get that hankering for a party. And lets face it. A party isn't a party without plenty of new people to meet.

Carrie

Not quite sure what is bs Carrie but I am perfectly aware that there are some breeds that are prone to "hunt" - I own one!  My dogs are extremely sociable too, one is a Pets as Therapy dog! But I like to keep my dogs completely under control so that they are at no risk of hurting themselves, or other people, causing a nuisance etc.  It is called being a responsible owner.

I would have thought with the bears that you meet you would be extremely cautious about letting any of your dogs roam irrespective of whether there is a large population or not!

Free spirited dog often die! 

The only conclusion I come to when people allow their dogs to roam is that they are irresponsible owners!#

I can see why vets in the US are so pro neutering now :)

Well, she's made it to 13 years of age with never a single injury. In fact, a lot of my dogs have lived good, long lives. And I know where she roams, when she does 99.9%. We who live here in this most remote place become savy about the wild life. Your comment shows that you are not. We know where they would hang out and where they wouldn't. We know what sets them off and what frightens them...right down to the inth degree. 99% of the time they are afraid of domestic animals. They are not prey to a bear and they represent humans which bears are afraid of. They don't bother with dogs in other words unless they're confronted. My Lab would not have the slightest interest in a bear. She has been trained to not chase deer and is very obedient with that. She is too old and experienced to care a bit about any of that. You don't know my dog. You don't know what it is like here. You don't even have a correct mental picture, I'm quite sure. My neighbors yard is close to mine. If my dog wanders to visit the neighbor, I know exactly where she is. This is 99.9% of her visiting activity. I have a different life style than you. I'm in the mountains, no city, just a small resort area. I'm very careful about my dogs and wouldn't let them go anywhere or do anything that would jepardize their safety. I know and understand my surroundings. I am one with the nature of the wilderness here. I know my dogs. You do not. I know how I love and treat my dogs. You do not. Just like the poster asking about the fence....you jump right on in there and accuse her of not offering a good life for her dog. Give help to those who ask and leave behind the pompous ass.

O I am so sorry Carrie I thought you posted the other day how you had to shout at your "high prey" dobermann to stop him going after a bear,  I do apologise for being mistaken in thinking that this could be risky. 

I do not see anywhere in my post where I accused the original poster of not offering a good life for her dog; perhaps you could point that bit out to me?

I did offer help, by suggesting she raise her fence!

I think you are right, Carrie. Some dogs are just friendly and very nosy! Your lab sounds a sweetie. As I said Bruno doesn't go far and he is known to the neighbours who reward him with a pat when he visits. But of course I do worry all the time about accidents etc. So just thought the sonic thing might be a painless way of allowing him more freedom without freedom if you know what I mean! Thanks for your lovely response.

thanks Elija for being polite and pleasant. Of course I do entertain my dog but occasionally I have to stop and pick up poop or uproot a weed! I think its just when wonderlust gets too much for him. it might be after 2 hours happy gardening and playing with the family, or it might be after 2 minutes!

thanks benny boo for your polite and pleasant reply. Interestingly Bruno IS a Staffy, but his legs got too long which is why he got chucked out (in a paper bag from a car window) at his last home. I have had him 4 years. Not had a problem before, its the design of this house at the front that is the problem. Aged 6+ and with an occasional bad back it would be nice to think he couldn't jump - but friendly people and interestingcats are just too alluring for him.

thanks jeangenie for your polite and helpful reply. Unfortunately, because of the way the front of my house is designed I would have to spend close to £1000 to further fence (its already at 4') the area I am talking about. Way out of my range as I am on disability benefit. I actually keep Bruno in with no problems at the back of the garden but he doesn't like it there as there is nothing to see, his favourite thing is to sit by our gates and socialise with people going by. If they are TOO interesting he hops over to say hello! Ah well looks like he will have to stay in the back garden, lol.

Jeangenie: I meant to say, I think you are right about the distance thing - my garden isn't too large! But those people who have recommended them do have much bigger areas. thanks again.

No, my Doberman isn't the one who chased the bear. It was my little mix dog and it was right near by. He came back. No, I think Doberboy wouldn't be brave enough at this stage. He stays on the porch and protects me. LOL. He's such a baby still. And the Lab most definitely, most positively wouldn't chase a bear. LOL. I tell you.....I know my dogs.

I'm sorry if I offended you. But I see the wording in your posts as challenging and backing people into corners. I see in big, red letters an entire tone to your posts of induendo, belittling and self righteousness. I cannot show you specifically because it's against the rules to copy and paste the majority or entire posts. It's all right to copy a portion. I guess you just don't know any other way...So, I appologize for my post also.