wireless fences - yay or nay?

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by anpfaff1983

My dogs are 4lbs 9 oz and 6lb 9oz and I have had an invisible fence a year and a half and I love it! I go out with my dogs, they have the freedom to run the length of my yard (which is a good length) They love to go out and chase each other with out getting tangled in a leash. My dogs love to chase squirrels, birds, also one loves to follow cars but they have never chased them past my yard. People walk there dogs past my yard and runners run by but my dogs never leave the yard unless on a leash. They do need to be trained to stay in the yard the correct way before the shock function is even turned on and they really haven't been "shocked" very many times I could count on my one hand how many times, I put the device on myself and it really isn't bad, they have a device to put on the collar to minimize the "shock" to 50% and that is what my dogs have, I actually had to take it away from my 6 yr old nephews because they were shocking themselves with it for fun (kids! . There were issues when I first bought the system, we have a town carnival each year and people park at the border of my yard, a few cars were parked over my fence and one of my dogs did get out and my neighbor caught her for me since she ran to him (it was also soon after it was installed and they were still in training) so I will have to put up either signs or caution tape this year (I probably with put them on leashes also for the carnival), but other than that they have never ran off. I would be worried of other dogs that came into my yard or even coyotes so I do go out with them. But even a regular fence wouldn't protect against hawks.

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.

[QuickSilver]

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.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by Chloes dad

Well I know everyone is talking about coyotes and hawks..which dont get me wrong are a huge threat..And there is the heaviness of the collar, The fact that even on the lowest setting the collar may be to intense for a tiny dog, but here is something else to consider..I have heard stories of a dogs who see a squirrel or something, whatever it may be that enticed them to run past the border. they get shocked of course..But once their past the point they dont want to go back and be shocked again. So people have lost there animals because of the fence...Now I dont know how true this is, it could be just one of those urban myths. But with yorkies being as stubborn as they are combined with this knowledge, it doesn't sound good to me.

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.

[LuvMyPuppE]

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.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by LuvMyPuppE

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.

[LuvMyPuppE]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

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.

[Ellie May]

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.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by LuvMyPuppE

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 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.

[ellaYORKIE]

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.

[LuvMyPuppE]

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).

[ellaYORKIE]

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

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by ellaYORKIE

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

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

[LuvMyPuppE]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

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.

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.

[ellaYORKIE]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

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

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. =]

[LuvMyPuppE]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

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'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.