agree 100%aroonie

Maybe I don't qualify, but since the OP asked on an open forum I too have the right to post....My grammy always said 'when you ask a question, be prepared for an answer' , You will not always get the answers you are looking for, but you WILL get an answer.

Lets see Jacqui you have had toddlers and have 3 sweet fur babies yes you qualify;) I agree with your Grammy:)

As I have suggested earlier a couple of times to the OP check around YT there are many alternatives and positive methods of training.

Thanks Morgan, I had forgotten that my now three grown kids were once toddlers!! Grammy has never steered me wrong!

To OP as Morgan and many others have stated there are many alternative methods of training without hurting or traumating the poor pup. My Jersey is just 4mths and she already knows going near the back gate is a no no. As I mentioned earlier she did get out twice...after the second near heart attack that I had, anytime she went near the gate, I stood in front of the gate and told her in a firm voice NO! After the fourth attempt at ecsape my girl did a u-turn and has not been near it since!!
I suprised myself at how simple it was! Yorkies are extremly bright and learn very quickly...you CAN teach boundaries, the electric fence is not needed. Time and patience is what is needed to teach your pup what you want.

There are many kinds of electric fences and they all have different levels of electricity going into the collar. Some can be adjusted. It is inaccurate to make a statement stating that they are all a light electric shock like a tens machine. Some of these fences are for dogs not under 35lbs and others have other size restrictions. I have never seen one designed for a puppy. Obviously since the OP had to change the device to fit a small puppy the one they are using was not for a little dog. It would seem to be common sense to at least contact the manufacturer to get answers.

No small breed dog should be left in the backyard unattended. The SPCA and other animal organizations have been putting out warnings for well over a year concerning the abrupt rise in the theft of Yorkies, Maltese and other toy breed dogs. They are being taken out of yards and even out of homes. Putting your dog on display outside for all to see is inviting a backyard theft or intruder. On YT we have had numerous accounts of hawks and owls attacking small dogs in their yards and even when out for a walk and this is happening in neighborhood settings. Most of us here value our pets highly and do not take chances with them

An electric fence does require training for any size of dog. If the shock were nothing more than a tens machine level it surely would not stop any dog from running through the fence. The person who says that their dog gets so upset that it charges at the neighbors no matter what is contradicting their self. A dog that is that upset is not going to be impressed with a tens unit charge and they know it.

There is no reason that a dog needs to be out in a yard unattended for long periods of time. My dog is never outside unattended. I walk her at least twice a day and she is inside the rest of the time and very happy to be at that. An electric fence is unreliable at best. If a person will not take the time to train their dog an electric fence is a waste of time. But to think of putting a shock collar on a puppy is ludicrous. It takes several months of dedicated work to train a dog properly and a puppy is no where near the level a dog would need to be at in order to understand the fence concept.

If a person insists on leaving a dog unattended in the yard and the dog is uncontrollable then it needs to be tethered using a harness and dog cable. It certainly is not an ideal solution but it would be better than subjecting a small dog to a shock every time it charges at the neighbors. I find it incredible that people want to punish their pets due to their own failure to train the animal properly.

I do not install electric fences but I do consider myself experienced enough in training dogs and through other people's experiences with fences to be able to give an opinion. I certainly know enough to realize that a tens machine level shock is not going to deter a raging dog.

Just wanted to clarify that all members are qualified and welcome to post on this thread.

:thumbup: Thanks Ann

He is to small for this, I personally think there are other alternatives, and I think its just plain cruel for a small dog