We had to play with Rosie's and it depends on the size of the collar on how much of a shock is given. When we tried it the shock was pretty significant.

NAY:

- Your animal has to wear a heavy collar for it to work. Many animals figure out that as long as they are not wearing that collar, they can do as they please. Also, the collar gives off a faint hum when it gets close to the fence. For some animals, this serves as a warning to stay away from the fence. To others - no hum - no boundries!

- Even if it keeps your animal in, it does not keep other large dogs, people, and predators OUT.

- Your dog may run through the fence on impulse to chase something, then be afraid to re-enter because he doesn't want a shock. Then your fence is keeping your animal OUT, rather than in.

- I personally believe owners tend to underestimate the stress and pain the shocks cause their dog.

That was exactly what would happen with Rosie when she would come back. She wouldn't get close enough to the fence and couldn't get back into the yard and would stand in the neighbors yard and bark to come home. :rolleyes:

i can see both sides of the argument -

the puppy i'm talking about at the moment isn't a yorkie - she is 8.5 lbs. and has about 1.5 months worth of growing to do.

i realize that the fence would only keep her in - and not keep others out - but my main concern is her running into the road. the fence would prevent that. also, it would protect me in the sense that she wouldn't go into other people's yards to reliever herself or jump up on a neighbor's white pants.

she LOVES being outside, and i do spend a lot of time outside with my kids, but it would be nice if she could come and go as she pleased. as of now, i put her in her crate if i'm not able to supervise her completely. it would be nice if she could be on the porch while i took a shower without worrying that she'd roam across the street and get ran over.

i still haven't made up my mind, but i do agree with the poster who said something to the effect of the "shock" doesn't hurt as much as getting hit by a car. i used the same theory for spanking. i have two kids - one is a calm, well behaved child. the other is WILD! he runs off every chance he gets - parking lots, streets - it doesn't matter how much we've talked about it. i'm not a spanker normally, but i did resort to spanking for running out into the road. when i was arguing the spanking issue with family/friends - i said the same thing - i don't condone spanking as a main form of discipline, BUT i think a spanking hurts a lot less than getting killed by a car.

I understand you want to give your puppy what it wants, but I still don't think it's ok to do the shock fence. I agree, spanking hurts less than getting hit by a car. Kaji ran under my dad's truck (which was on) so I understand reacting in the moment, as I too reacted and just grabbed Kaji from what ever part of the body I could reach and quickly pulled him out. He scared me to death! But... static shock as some people call it is still an electric current, no matter how much they try to water it down. It will hurt and it is a very mean way to teach them it's not ok to run off. I went as far as undermining my roomie because she put a shock collar on her dog because he barked to much instead of taking the time to teach him not to bark. My opinion I guess.
How about buying an ex-pen you can set up outside for your pup? Buy two if you want and connect them together to give her space to run around and play in the sun.

i have considered putting a fence up in the yard (and it's not out of the question still) but i hate to do that because it will look so tacky. the property is large - and it will look bad with just a portion of it fenced. i hate the "dog pen" look. however, it would cost a fortune to fence the whole property.

everyone save the comments about my selfish desires for cosmetic purposes - i haven't made a decision yet - but yes, that is a factor. it's tempting to get a $300 invisible fence vs. a multi thousand dollar "real" fence that serves the same purpose.

i wonder if the humane society has a stance on this? i need to look into that.

I don't like them for many reasons, but I don't really get the, "We must have a fence" thing either.

IMO (and I'm sure contrary to the opinion of many people on YT), small dogs should not be left outside alone. It's not safe in most areas of the US. And since somebody should be out there with them, I don't see the problem with a harness and tieout. So I don't really get the debate about it at all. :)

I get it, and I'm not arguing if you should put your desire to make your property look nice aside for your pup. It's your property, and you should have it however it makes you happy. That's none of my business. But, you did ask for opinions on the electric fence thingy, and that's what I'm giving you. My opinion plus an alternative. It's really up to you what you do.
But, even with a fence I wouldn't let my dog go outside by himself, regardless of the breed/size. That's just me though.

Ella and i got attacked by a german shepard who was behind an electric fence last year. I think they get used to the shock and it doesn't bother them anymore. I say no all together.

i think everyone's personal situation is different. for the first time in my life, i live in a place where i actually can let my children play outside while i'm cooking dinner. are they unsupervised? no - because i have a huge yard on a dead end street which i can see right from my kitchen window.

i prop the back door (kitchen door) open where i can hear them playing/laughing - and look up to watch them play. you know the movies where someone is washing dishes and looking at the kids from the window? that's me! i'm grateful for it - my kids haven't been able to play freely ever until now because of traffic or the neighborhood, etc .

that being said, it would be nice if the dog could run around out there and play with them. i can't really trust them with her on a leash because they'll get into their play and drop the leash.

i'm not talking about leaving the dog out there ALL the time. but when i'm outside with the kids and the dog - it would be nice to run inside to take a pee without worrying about the dog running into the street and getting ran over (and in turn, my kids chasing her).

Hmmmm, what's up w/ all of our signatures?

HAHA! You noticed too? I started a thread about it. No one responded. :(

i wasn't aiming that comment toward you - never thought of it.

i did ask for opinions, and i respect yours.

i still haven't decided what to do.

Yeah, i did. It just looked so odd. All that mumbo jumbo on the screen. I've had my signature this way since i joined YT last year and it's never messed up. Or anyone elses for that matter. Idk what's going on. BTW i didn't see your post. I would have responded there. =]

i've tried putting my pup on a harness/tieout when my kids are playing outside (and i'm in and out - mostly out) but the second i turn around, my kids unhook her!

that's been a big issue with crate training as well - the second i get into the shower or something - they let her out of the crate.