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Originally Posted by DBlain  ditto could not agree more when it comes to small breeds. However I do think they serve a purpose with larger dogs. There are lots of places in our country that will not allow people to have fences. Many of my friends use them successfuly without having to hardly use a shock, most eventually have it dialed way down and it beeps several feet before they go over the line. I feel if used properly it is much better than having a dog stuck on a tie out or couped on in the house or having the dog get run over. |
They can and do serve a purpose when used correctly. I have a wireless invisible fence, acquired because DH agreed to keep a rescued Shep/Lab 'a couple weeks' while the rescuer finished their fence. The dog was used to run of the very safe neighborhood, but we live on a pretty busy road with the house a good deal from it and lots of trees. At first, we tied him out but he was never alone for more than a few hours. When it became clear he was not going to his rescuer's home because they were never ready to take him, we were faced with a huge immediate expense of fencing a large yard, or a quick wireless fence...which I had over-nighted. The dog was not lead or obedience trained, but very smart, sweet, and desiring to please, so I put out the flags, snapped on a regular collar, and an hour later he knew basic commands, walked reasonably well on a lead, and was well on his way with the white flags. We continued daily training and he respected the white flags. One day he followed me through the 'fence' and 'knew' he had to get back inside the flags. We had left the end of the house where the meters are...and consequently a little corner inside the house...outside the fence for the safety of the meter readers, and Ziggy bolted around that corner instead of turning around and going back the way he came. He knew where the white flags used to be! DH called him through the fence once...not with my agreement
...and the only way Ziggy was ever taken out of the yard by us was in the back of the truck (capped) or the cab's back seat...we would switch collars both ways.
Ziggy was never zapped again, but DH had tested the zap collar on himself before the dog ever wore it. Ziggy would stop at least 10' before the positions where the white flags were for the rest of his life and he was with us for 12 years...and he was at least 2 when we got him. He never really needed the collar again, but I couldn't promise other dogs would be like my 120+lb Ziggy baby.
I absolutely abhor any cruelty to innocents...especially by knowing humans. Ziggy just needed protection from a busy road where he wouldn't get tangled up on a wooded lot on a tie-out because he was used to walking on streets only 1 or 2 cars drove on per day prior to living with us.
Small dogs need human wisdom and protection...IMHO...and a wireless fence does not provide either.