The new Puppy, whose name was almost immediately changed from Harvey to Pavlov (yes, as in Pavlov's Dog), is filling our lives with happiness, laughter, joy, and all of that "warm puppy" stuff. It is also filling our lives with cleaning products, dog bones, lots of running around, plenty of noise, and a brand-new 2-acre run of very expensive but much-needed wire. The cleaning product of choice, if anyone is interested, is Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover, which not only cleans well, but removes those deep-down smells that ordinary cleaners leave behind, but that a coon hound can still smell from six miles away. The dog bones are mostly there to a) distract the puppy from chewing other things (like my feet) for a few minutes each day, and for tripping over in the middle of the night. The running around is split 50/50 between Pav (running around getting into trouble) and me (running around after Pav). The noise, however, is 100% Pavlov. 
The invisible fence... that was a mutual decision between the wife and I. Yes it was expensive, but well worth it to prevent another disaster. At first, I felt it was a much needed-expense, but also a ridiculously overpriced one. Since then, I have met with the folks at Invisible Fence twice, and have changed my tune a bit. The company is very professional. The installation was clean and efficient, and the transmitter (complete with battery backup system and self-diagnostics) was mounted neatly in my basement. That's a trick in my basement, where every beam, sill and stud is crooked (the house was built in 1872, after all). We can't start training the pup until he is a bit older, at which point the invisible fence people will return. That's right, they train your dog for you (well, with you). They also have battery plans where they send you new batteries every few months so you don't forget to the change them, a lifetime warranty, and very responsive service (from what I've seen so far).
Will it work? That remains to be seen. Coonhounds are famous for being tolerant to pain, independent, and determined. I can picture in my mind a young Blue Tick hound running full tilt through the wire, knowing damn well it's going to hurt. But with the proper training, we should be able to avoid that. Time will tell.