I recently had to put a hotwire fence around my yard to keep my dogs from escaping through the chain link fence around my house. They now seem too scared to get move off the porch. How can I get them comfortable with the new setup and back out into the yard?
2007-03-05 04:40:18 · 9 answers · asked by ShallyTX 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you for all the real comments concerned readers submitted. I was not looking for a lecture from close minded people. I appreciate the feedback from people who understand I am not cruel, just concerned. I live on a busy highway and the last thing I would ever want to happen is for my dogs to get killed. I take them everywhere with me and they love me to death and I couldn't do with out them. They are working dogs, not "pets". They serve a purpose and are not like the family pet. They help me work cattle on my ranch. Any dog owner with any concern for their pets knows that this is not "cruel" but is necessary to ensure the saftey of their animal. Discipline and boundaries are bases of a good relationship with your animal. Especially with a working pet that I depend on for many things. For those of you with legitimate answers, thank you very much. For those of you with nothing but contempt and ridicule, please understand the situation before you make a fool of yourself.
2007-03-13 02:38:54 · update #1
They've learned what you wanted them to learn- that there are places in the back yard where they will experience pain. It may be that they hear or sense something that you don't hear from the eletronic system or sense out there that is very uncomfortable for them.
If this fence involves collars the dogs wear check the collars often. I know of one family who had one of those things and it got a short and stuck on for at least 24 hours. Poor, poor dog had some really serious behavior problems afterwards.
Also, if you forced them to experience the shock, they are probably quite frightened. (Don't be insulted- lots of people force their dogs into the shock when they get those fences.)
There are a lot of problems with those fences, although I do understand why you got it. I've just seen so many problems with them I discourage people from getting them.
If they continue to experience problems, there are alternatives. I had good luck by stapling chicken wire at the base of the fence, folded out onto the grass. Within a short time the grass grew through the chicken wire and we could mow right over it. This way when they tried to dig under the fence they were stopped by the chicken wire. It was practically invisible- you could only see it when you were close to the fence.
I know another family that made a foot deep trench and filled it with concrete all around their fence line. It was quite effective.
When my former dog went through a phase of jumping over the fence, I criss crossed the corner with wire so that she couldn't pull herself over the edge.
Good luck.
2007-03-05 04:57:16 · answer #1 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My dog has a safety fence...she goes everywhere. Did you follow the instructions that came with the fence? It takes time....If you did not train them correctly you have a real mess on your hands. My dog knows that when the beeping starts that she must stop....I showed her around the perimeter as many times as it took to do the job right the first time. Reread the instructions and maybe get a friend to help you. P.s. I came back to ask you how long the flags were left up.....? If they aren't sure of the boundry they don't know where they can go and sure they will have fear. I would never ever tie a dog out...it is cruel. My pet loves the freedom and the beep keeps her alive....
2007-03-10 18:57:16 · answer #2 · answered by missellie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First, you should check to be sure that you didn't inadvertently install it so that they can't get off the porch without being shocked. Try putting the collar on your leg and walking out into the yard. If you get shocked, it will be less for you than your dog, and then you'll know to readjust. If that's not the problem, try going out into the yard with them at first. Bring treats to entice them off the porch, play with them a bit so they relax. After a time or two, hopefully they'll be ok on their own.
2007-03-05 12:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by Rayen 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Put up a real fence! That's terrible. You're hurting your animals. I used to have a bark collar and threw it out because dogs are dogs and they BARK. So same with your fence..put up a real one. They don't like hotwire fences.
2007-03-11 15:29:16 · answer #4 · answered by babyi'melectricc. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you follow my FOOL proof instructions, i guarantee you will have them too scared to go near that fence.
Okay, first get the dogs on leads and have them by you approximately a foot or two away. Then, turn on the hose, make sure it is aimed at yourself. Then yell to your dogs "hey I'm an abusive idiot, this is what I want to do to you, because I love you so much". Then grab the fence and hold on tight! JERK!!!!!
2007-03-09 22:38:27 · answer #5 · answered by Sunshine 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
well i am not very familiar with a hotwire fence so does it shock them?? but just pick them up and put them in your lap (on the yard) and play around and eventually they will get used 2 it!! Good Luck!!!
2007-03-10 20:17:32 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First check and make sure it's not set too high. Then play with them in the yard, show them that the yard is safe.
2007-03-12 19:09:52 · answer #7 · answered by fire_fall_now 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get rid of the hot wire fence. Pain breeds fear. A fearful dog is not a happy dog and can become a dangerous dog.
2007-03-05 12:43:28 · answer #8 · answered by W. 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
They can hear the hum, so it will take them a bit to realize that noise is going to be there regardless. They'll come off the porch when they're ready.
2007-03-05 12:44:02 · answer #9 · answered by Pam 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋