Hi Laura!
I'm still thrilled with the invisible fence, but I have to say that if I didn't have a 'real' fence on the parimeter of the property I would still have a problem.  The invisble fence is set to the max - a 12 foot zone (safety and shock zone) from the existing fence.  I tired out the collar sensor on myself before putting it on my 'escape artist', and I have to tell you it's like getting a mild taser - one you don't want to experience very often.  It's enough of a shock that I wouldn't go past the 'safety' parimeter, but I have watched my 'artist' run to the 'real' fence with the my other dogs to greet people/dogs on the other side of the 'real' fence.  She doesn't stay near the 'real' fence very long, but I know if the 'invisible' fence was the only parimeter blockade I had I would still have a problem with escapes.  The 'invisible' fence (by itself) would be great for people that didn't have pets with commited wander-lust like mine.  For people with pets that have die-hard adventurers (like my escape artist), it is a great second barrier to keep your pets confined.

I have had no problems with escapes since I put it in, and I now can sleep late on the weekends after letting my dogs out in the AM with no fears of escapes.  I have four large dogs, and only my escape artist requires the  'collar'.  What can I say, she is the only one with an adventerous soul  that believes the grass is greener on the other side .

So my approx. 6 week report after it's installation is - things are going great.  My escape artist is running the property and exhausting herself playing with the other dogs, and I have peace of mind that she is safe.  Now I just wish there was a way to put a collar on all the rabbits, ground squirrels and gophers that have raised havoc on my property this summer to keep them out  .

Thanks DB!
I didn't get your post until after the fence was installed, but so far I'm THRILLED!!!!

I completed the 10 days of training with my escape artist...and she is off running the yard again.  I think she is as thrilled as I am. 

The flags are still up to show her the safe boundary, and she has learned quickly.  She'll run full speed across the yard and then put on the breaks as she sees the flags coming near.

She now has 3 boundaries to go through....first the flags....next the shocks...then the 5 foot fence that is only 2 years old.  I think she is now cured of her wandering days or she is quietly planning her big escape from Alcatraz 

But to your point, my Vet told me that some folks did have a problem when the dogs did sucessfully escape - they couldn't get back into the yard because of the Invisible Fence.  So there are down sides, but I think my little gal has given up all ideas of escape after getting jolted a few times.

Time will tell, but for now it was money well spent......one more visit to the Emergency Room with her would have equaled the investment I've made in the 'fence'.

Laura - I never heard back from you  , so I continued my hunt for advice.  Because of my concern for the safety of my 'escape artist' I decided on Invisible Fence... http://www.invisiblefence.com/ - ASPCA and Vets say they are safe and effective, so wish me luck.  My little escape artist is getting cabin fever being tied to a tree when the rest of my dogs are running the property, so tomorrow is the day - it gets installed.

For my flood problem - the wire will be strung to the top of my existing fence - it also protects it from other animals chewing through it (e.g. coyotes).  For power outages it is going to have a battery backup that is good for 12 hrs.  For the gates, they are going to bury it in PVC at the openings.   The Rep that showed up to look at the property said that the product has a 99% effectivity, and he only has run into one dog that would lay down close to the boundry thinking the muscle twitch he was receiving was a weird neck massage.  They automatically send fresh batteries for the collar free every 3 months.  And for 'destroyed' collar transmitters - all I have to do is send the piece to the supplier and a replacement is sent free of charge.  The system has two boundaries - one which emits a beep and the second which will emit the 'pulse' - plus the boundaries can be set anywhere from 3 ft to 12 ft from the property boundary (my fence).  Then on top of all that they will work with you to train the dog on the system, leave a DVD with a training video, and will return to readjust the system if you still have any problems....and the system comes with a light monitor to let you know if there is a break in the line.

I've got my fingers crossed this will work!  I'll post again and let everyone know how the system works.  It sure sounds like this might be the answer - keep your fingers crossed for us!  I've got my fingers crossed that this doesn't turn out like the old saying - It sounds to good to be true - but call me an optimist. 

Thanks Laura!  I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with similar problems.  I to live in a rural area, and am looking at a couple of acres to fence....part of the reason why I feel so guilty chaining my escape artist to a tree when the rest of the pack are out exploring.

Gotta question about your friend....
It sounds like she has a constant electrified fence - no collar transmitters to worry about.  I live in a fire area, and am usually evacuated every year or two.  Also when we have a heavy rain year my property develops one or two fast moving streams due to mountain runoff (and of course fire burnouts).  I know this sounds like a real bad property to live on, but it really is a great place with fantastic mountain views (smile).  Any-who...does the lower wire cause a fire danger when and if weeds grow up?  ...and what happens if floods occur?  Does the system short out?

If I'm wrong and she does have collar transmitters, what has been her luck with them.  On some sites I've found the transmitters are easily destroyed by the dogs, and costly to replace.  Has she had this problem?

Like I said, I'm a newbie to all of this and am desperate for any advice.  I like the idea of a constant electrified fence 'cause it would keep other wildlife out of the property (coyotes, mountain lions, bears, etc.), but I'm also worried about fire, neighbors, workmen, etc.).

Please....more advice.

I'm looking for advice or personal experiences that anyone has to offer....please!

I have 4 large dogs, one which is an escape artist and I'm at the end of my rope.  I have replaced the entire fencing around my property so it is in good shape, but my escape artist has discovered she can squeeze underneath it with a little digging.  I have now placed large rocks at the base of the fence, but one of my dogs has a lizzard fetish....so he moves the rocks in his hunts opening the bottom of the fence for my 'artist' to escape.

I let 3 of the dogs run the property, but the 'artist' is now chained to a tree with a long lead when I let the dogs out....which breaks my heart.  I had to take this drastic action 'cause during her last escape she wondered into one of my neighbors horse corrals (in the dark of night), and since she looks a little like a coyote the horse kicked her.  To her luck she survived the kick with no broken bones, but all of her top front teeth were snapped off to the gum line and the skin on her bottom jaw was peeled back.  She looked like an extra from the movie The Alien when I found her and rushed her to Emergency.

So I'm now at the end of my rope - guilty about chaining her to a tree - and worried about not chaining her.  I think my only alternative is the electric fence route, and would appreciate any advice or recommendations you might be willing to share.

The pic with this message is my escape artist when she was a pup with all of her teeth (sigh)

  Sorry again - this is a duplicate message that I posted under 'is there any safe food out there', but I thought I'd post it here for feedback/info.  I really appologize Theresa, I appreciate your patience with me while I figure out your site (sigh and duh!).

I love Evangers cannned food, but have been warned off their dry food 'cause of Menadione Sodium Bisulfate (synthetic-K).   The best Evanger's  dry (per other sites) is  pheasant & brown rice dry.  The worry is they have synthetic K (Menadione Sodium Bisulfate) added.  I've contacted Evanager's, and they state that they have no plans of removing it from their recipe. 

Other sites have warned away from feeding Menadione, some medical sites have linked Menadione to health problems (that I've found).  Then the dogfoog site warns away from feeding it - http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=menadione

Is it OK to feed synthetic-K?  Is Evanger's dry OK to feed?  Inputs, opinions, suggestions are greatly appreciated!  Currently I'm feeding Canidae dry, but with the cost savings I've received with Evanger's canned I'd like to replicate it with their dry - if it makes sense and is safe.
 

I love Evangers cannned food, but have been warned off their dry food 'cause of Menadione Sodium Bisulfate (synthetic-K).   The best Evanger's  dry (per other sites) is  phesant & brown rice dry.  The worry is they have synthetic K (Menadione Sodium Bisulfate) added.  I've contacted Evanager's, and they state that they have no plans of removing it from their receipe. 

Other sites have warned away from feeding Menadione, some medical sites have linked Menadione to health problems (that I've found).  Then the dogfoog site warns away from feeding it - http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=menadione

Is it OK to feed synthetic-K?  Is Evanger's dry OK to feed?

 I'm sorry, my error that I included Wellness on my original post - no I have no info about Wellness being added to any recall list....and I appologize to everyone for taking so long to respond to those that voiced a concern about my post. To everyone that I upset - please accept my appology.

With that said I'm still a BIG 'new' fan of Evangers - my pups love it!  I've tried their Turkey chuck, lamb and rice, 100% beef, beef and bacon. beef-chicken and liver - and the bowls are lick clean with every feeding!  I still thank my feed store manager for turning me on to it!  He did so before the recall, and has save not only my pets health but major $$ compared to Canidae and Natural Balance canned prices.

The only bad news in all of this is I discovered I still had a case of Natural Balance venison & rice is my food cash - which I will 'pitch' in the garbage this weekend.  Other than that one problem, I'm feeding Canidae dry, Evanger canned, and supplemented with Missing Link - and the 'kids' are doing GREAT!

I still want to 'push' Missing Link to folks that are looking for a fantastic alternative supplement.  Yes, it's mainly herbs for the nay-sayers - and yes it is $$$.  But I had a dog whose hind-quarters were paralyzed, and was walking in again in 6 weeks - which I owe to Missing Link.  Yes, it is unbelivable.  The dog was 12 years old, and injured in an accident.  She spent 6 weeks with the Vet - was released after surgery to correct for bed-sores and an ulcerated eye (that occured in their care).  Yes, the Vet (in my belief) was incompetant, but I was new to the area and took the Emergency Room's Vet recommendation.  After an eye specialist (which I didn't know existed for dogs), in-home hydro-therapy, massages and Missing Link (recommended by a local rescue league) - she was walking and the eye was saved.  She was blind in the eye, but the eye didn't have to be removed.  She lived for another 4 full years, and died of old age.  I now have all of my big dogs (100 lbs+) on Missing Link.  To my 'new' (and good) Vet's amazement none of them have require teeth cleanings, they have no hip problems or arthritis, and their coats are amazing!  Their age range is from 3yrs to 11 years, and they are Danes and Lab mixes - breeds prone to hip problems and arthritis.

So excuse me for the fo-pah on Wellness, but check-out Missing Link.  With all the 'new' medicines of today, maybe the ol' herbal ways have merits.  In my personal experience, I'm now a believer.  Here's a link to the Missing Link web site - http://www.designinghealth.com/products/canine_products_main.html
Heck, it performed a miracle for me and I believe it is working for my 'kids' now

..and I truely appologize to everyone for my Wellness reference - especially in these 'dark' times.

I'm feeding Canidae dry and Evanger's canned - and neither of them have hit the recall list  !
Canidae - http://www.canidae.com/
Evanger's - http://www.evangersdogfood.com/

For those of you that favor raw, Evanger's offers 100% meat canned product - the only additive is water for processing.  Evanger's is a small manufacturing plant in Ill. and they do manufacture for other labels (I don't know who).

Currently I'm feeding their 100% meat product in fear of 'additives' showing up on the recall list.  My dogs love the Evanger's food, and any additives (minerals, vitamines, etc.) are coming from the Canidae dry food along with Missing Link.

If you can find Evanger's and you are use to buying premiun dog food (like I was), you will be put off by their label.  I have to admit I was.  I passed it by several times 'cause it has a funky label that makes it look like some cheap knock-off.  Thank goodness my feed store set me straight!  It's a premium canned food with a 1950's label and a reasonable price 

I was still stand-offish, check them out on-line and wrote emails to the company - I'm a believer now.  I switched from Canidea, Natural Balance and Wellness canned food just months before the recall - and thank goodness I did now that both Wellness and Natural Balance have hit the list.  If you can find Evanger's try it - my cost per can switch went from $1.70(US)/per can to $.89(US)/per can with the peace of mind that nothing but 100% meat is in the can - and now I have control of what additives are added to my 'kids' food.

I re-reviewed my post and found broken links - here are the updated links:

Wild Kitty Foods:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01562.html

Petrapport Pig Ears:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/petrapport03_07.html

Berkley and Jensen Pig Ears:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/petrapport03_07.html

Dingo Treats:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/eightinone03_07.html

American Bullie A.B. Pet Chews:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01600.html

In a previous post Therese posted -
'Do not use Menu Foods. Cans are manufactured by Evanger’s in Wheeling, IL'

On this one, Therese is misinformed.  Evanger's is a small pet food company in ILL that produces food under their label and other companies labels (aka a manufacturer/supplier).  I feed Evanger's 100% meat to my dogs and have had no problems.  The only fillers in their 100% meat is water for processing.  In addition, their web site states 'Evanger's assures our loyal customers that our food is safe and not involved in any recall.'  http://www.evangersdogfood.com/

I just didn't want folks to be misinformed.  Evangers appears to be a small reputable company - I don't feed  their dry dog food because of the synthetic K vitamin additives, but my dogs are doing very well on their canned food.

With so many companies affected by this recall I would hate to see the reputable ones suffer.  We need to support the companies that share our concerns when it comes to the safe nutrition of our pets (family members).

Re-reading this post I sound like an Evanger's employee, but I'm not - just a consumer.  My fear is that as broad spread and serious as this recall is that the smaller companies maybe swept up in this chaos and destroyed.  The lawsuits and class actions are being filed, and the smaller companies won't be able to weather the storm.   If that happens we will be left with the mega-companies - P&G, Purina, and so on - who are more concerned with profits than safe nutrition.

As scared and concerned as we all are - we have to be cautious and continue our support of the reputable suppliers who share our concerns.  And yes I support the  recent efforts to further regulate the pet food industry.

For those who haven't kept current on 'other recalls', here are links to recalls due to Salmonella that pre-date the Melamine issue:
 
Wild Kitty Foods:
2/13/07:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01562.html


2/16/07:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls...itty02_07.html

Petrapport Pig Ears 3/23/07:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls...port03_07.html

Berkley and Jensen Pig Ears 3/9/07:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/bj03_07.html

Dingo Treats 3/30/07:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls...none03_07.html

American Bullie A.B. Pet Chews 4/5/07:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01600.html

[THANK YOU]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU 100 times over for being the only forum that I have found listing foods NOT on the recall.  For those of us with pets (family members) not affected by this recall (thank goodness-with fingers crossed) you are a very bright light helping illuminating the path through these dark days.

My sympathies go out to everyone who has been affected and devastated...