Electric fence
 

Last year I asked about using electric fencing. Mainly asked for experience questions and got blasted on here.
I want to put this out here, it is helpful information and can possibly save a puppy or dogs life.

I have 2 tea cup yorkies (3lb male 4lb male). we live on a 3/4 acre clear property that is on a golf course. I have 3 children the youngest was 2.5 last year.

I used the petfence for small dogs invisible fence on both dogs around the age of 4 months. I was horrified to use it because they are so small. However, the alternative of them running and possibly being killed or lost was far worse.

I did this with my vets encouragement and guidance. The bigger male has been shocked one time. And was shy for several days to go outside. He did go out to potty but then right back in. After 6-7 days, he ventured out more on his own. To this day, they have never been shocked again. They fly out the back door in the morning to chase bunnies or birds and do a dead stop well before there collar even beeps at them.

I am sure I will get the normal hate messages, I should try it on me blah blah. I have to incredibly happy healthy dogs that are thriving in my family. I wish this information would have been out there for me!! They worked for us.

I think most of us ( possibly all) are against the electric fence. As pet owners we all make our own decisions on what is best for our pets, but I would never be able to use an electric fence. I would hate to see my little 4 pound male shocked. That would just kill me inside. I would honestly hate to see a 70 pound dog shocked much less a tiny 4 pound.

I think it’s an inhumane/ lazy way of training your dogs. I know a handful of people with loads of land bigger than your's, and they have trained their dog their boundaries.

Also please remember it “may” keep them in the yard, but it will not protect them against hawks and getting snatched up by a coyote. The only thing that is going to save your dog’s life is you watching them.. I just hope you’re not letting them in the backyard alone.

yeah that would be my only reservation besides them being shocked. i never leave my yorkies unattended outside because well you just never know.

Ive never looked into electric fencing so don't really know how the "shocking" works. My first worry would be predators getting in! These "fences" don't keep other dogs/animals/people out. I would never let them out unattended in a regular fenced in yard, nevermind a yard where you cant control who or what comes in. JMHO

Again, I feel it is important to get this information out. You can call it lazy, or whatever you need to do.
They do not go out alone, they love running, and chasing. That is simply the nature of the breed.
It is a humane reasonable solution for dogs that tend to bolt after birds, bunnies, etc.

You have every right to your opinion. It sounds synonomous with the opinions of ekectric fence m companies, so I do think owners have your the other of the story.

I personally see no point whatsoever in allowing my dogs to get shocked just so I don't have to bend down and clip them to a tie out or leash.

I have friends that use this type of fencing. They are free to make their own decisions. I'm not going to agree with them though.

Your statement about one of them not wanting to go outside because he was scared says it all. I'm not going to allow my dogs to be hurt and fearful just for the sake of them being able to run.

So what exactly is your point of posting this here? Obviously to ruffle some more feathers? Like it or not, it IS the lazy way of training, if you can even call it that! It's proven that a more effective way of training dogs is positive reinforcement. You could just train your dogs to sit and stay at the door until you give the release command. Mine do it. Even with a cat outside and the door open, they may not sit, but they wait until I say it's ok (it's not ok when there's a cat out).

Also like the others said, what's keeping other predatory animals out? Nothing. Even if you had an actual fence, birds of prey can come and pick up your "teacup" dogs.

I'm not going to address the electric fence issue, since you seem to have made up your mind on that, but I do have three words to say: Hawks and predators. 3 or 4 pound dogs could be carried off or killed in an instant. I'm not sure where you live in Michigan, but unless you're living under a hermetically sealed dome, you will have issues with predators. I take my Bella out on a leash two or three times a day for a two block walk, and that's all the exercise she needs. I consider myself lazy doing that, but she's happy and healthy. It would be much more fuss and stress to set up an electric fence perimeter, even I did think it was okay to shock her (which I don't).

I understand it may be very very hard to understand the typing above....
I came to this forum to get information about this breed and electric fencing and was called names and chastised for the question i posed with an electric fence.

Bottom line is it is the perfect solution. Our dogs do not go out alone. we are out with them at all times because of predators.

So again, lets recap
Electric fence are a viable option for those of us that choose it. It does not kill our Yorkie because of the size. It works.

Ruffle feathers?? No but it is somewhat comical that all of you feel the need to add your 2 cents and opinion. It is information.... Move on. I am good that you dont like it and think I am so lazy. Effects me in no way shape or form.

Happy day!

How do you figure getting shocked is a humane way to control your dog?? We are talking about a 3 and 4 pound dog here...

Never said it would kill them.. Maybe it could if they had an unknown heart condition... however you say they are healthy. As Ellie May has said the point that one of your dogs were shocked and it took him how many days to go outside again??

What's going to happen when your dog is all the way down your property and you are sitting on your porch and a hawk comes, swoops down to grab your dog?? You think your fence is going to protect you against those predators?

I'm happy for you. Everyone here has the right to post their opinion on electric fencing. I don't think you're lazy. Personally, I think the opposite of you--it takes a lot of effort to do what you have done. Also, no one here in this thread has said that it kills Yorkies--I didn't bother searching for your previous thread. Some of us view it as cruel, and we have the right to express that opinion. Have a nice day!

It is information. Some of us are adding more information.

Nobody said it would kill a yorkie.
It DOES hurt them. If that is how you prefer to keep your pups contained that's up to you. IMO, pain is never the perfect solution.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...-collar-3.html

So what happened? In this thread you said it was for your 4 month old. If you are still using it, he obviously hasn't gotten use to it-