Originally posted by Twisterdog
Plus, batteries go dead, etc.
I heard a story of a border collie that would stay just in range of the fence to make the collar beep it's warning beep until it wore the battery down. Then it would leave.

Also a potentially bad thing that was brought up by a person on another board I visit, is if you have a sensitive dog it may become scared of the beep. She knew her dog was sound sensitive, but she didn't realize the cause until one day she was walking her dog through the city and they were waiting at a corner for the light to change. Well the lights were the ones that beep when it's okay to walk. At the first beep her dog threw itself to the ground and refused to go forward. She realized it was because the beep sounded like the warning beep from the electric fence.

I think the best thing would be a fence and wire it if you have to. If you have a big property then fence off a huge section. I don't think dogs need to roam free to be happy or else there are thousands upon thousands of dogs that are "unhappy" living in cities all over. I would fence in the area and then take the dogs for walks where they could explore and roam, as long as they have a good recall.

Good luck with whatever you decide.