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Post by teacher2 on Oct 21, 2010 15:31:59 GMT -5
Hi All --
I just had a scary experience with my neighbor's Pit Bull breaking through his invisible fence and going after my Lab. Hugo, my neighbor's pit bull, has always done the growly- barky, run along the perimeter of the fence as we pass. We usually just steer wide and my dog never even acknowledges him. Today I stopped on the other side of the street to say hi to my friend and her Lab and Hugo just bolted right out of the yard, never broke stride and went for my dog. I yelled No! and stood in front with my leg out. Hugo backed off and we both took off in opposite directions. No skin was broken just scared. My question is, are they seting up Hugo for disaster allowing him out unattened hoping the fence will work?? I called to talk to my neighbor but no response yet. I just would like you pit bull owners opinion on the use of invisible fences with this breed or any breed. I would hate to see if this incident had happened with some of my other neighbors,they already think Hugo is a threat. Personally, I think his owners are setting him up for failure.
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 21, 2010 18:25:12 GMT -5
Sorry that you and your dog had to experience that. Thank god everyone was ok. I have never been a fan of electric fences for any breed...even more so for Pit Bulls!! In my opinion they are setting their dog up for failure big time!
The other thing that people don't stop to think about regarding electric fences are that they do not stop another dog or person from entering the yard. My husband's parents live in a neighborhood where everyone has electric fences and one time one of the dogs (a husky) saw a cat and went right through the fence and then when he finally came back he was afraid to go back into the yard.
I would def. try and reach out to the neighbors again reiterate your concerns for not only the neighbors and other dogs but their own dog!
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Post by teacher2 on Oct 21, 2010 18:50:55 GMT -5
Thanks Michele! Yes it was scary, but my intention is not to make this confrontational. I really like Hugo. When I walk alone, I always enjoy seeing him. I wanted opinions so I can give them some insight and invite them to check out the forum. Their daughter adopted the dog then moved away. They could have dumped him but they have kept him and seem to care about him. I wan't to support that not make them feel defensive.
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Post by catstina on Oct 21, 2010 18:52:07 GMT -5
Well said, Michele!
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 21, 2010 19:10:02 GMT -5
Teacher that is the way to go! Confrontation will only put him on the defensive. I am sure you can broach the topic in a non-threatening way while getting across your concerns for your dog as well as for his dog. Again anybody could walk right in the yard and snatch Hugo! I will send you the article on safe containment that you might find helpful!
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 21, 2010 19:36:29 GMT -5
one more thing...electronic fences can fail due to batteries in the collar not being changed or wires getting cut or malfunctioning.
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Post by maryellen on Oct 22, 2010 8:44:00 GMT -5
some dogs will go thru electric fences and not care about the pain. my neighbors pit/chow used to go thru her electric fence a few times a day, and they had it at a super high setting ( i swear the dog was into the pain lol) once she saw an animal or wanted to take a dip in the pond nearby nothng would stop her from going thru the electric fence (and she would go back thru it to get back home too ) i used to catch her all the time in my yard and bring her back to her owners.
i wouldnt walk past that house now, since the dog has gotten thru the electric fence you are better off walking in a different direction from now on to avoid any problems, and let the owners know he broke thru the fence as well
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 22, 2010 9:04:06 GMT -5
very true ME...some dogs will just go right through with no qualms!
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Post by emilys on Oct 22, 2010 10:12:54 GMT -5
very true ME...some dogs will just go right through with no qualms! very very true and that's why they're so dangerous OTOH, my Lulu brushed against a real e-fence (not the invisible kind) while playing with a neighbor dogfriend and not only thought the dog had bitten her remotely, for years, she wouldn't even walk on that side of the street.   |
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 22, 2010 11:24:59 GMT -5
Invisible fences are badbadbadbadbad for ANYdog regardless of breed. Besides all the reasons already mentioned (they are FAR from safe conainment, and do NOT keep dogs in yards), they can cause aggression when the dog associates the shock of the collar with something else in the environment (like other dogs and people.) Here are some invisible fence testimonials that you might want to share with your neighbor: www.hollysden.com/say-no-to-shock-collars.htm#Invisible_Fencing_Systems |
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Post by teacher2 on Oct 22, 2010 16:28:26 GMT -5
Thanks to all for your advice and comments. I had already decided that we will change our walking route until I can talk to the owners. As of this time they have not returned my call, so I guess I will have to stop down to see them. I did find out this is not new for Hugo to run through the fence. Man, accident waiting to happen...
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Post by loverocksalot on Oct 30, 2010 8:09:58 GMT -5
I commend you for taking the time to research and defend a neighborhood pit bull. I learned on this forum when you see something that is not technically Wrong but a potential failure/problem it is best to approach the owner/caretaker by commending them on their efforts to save the dog or how beautiful their dog is and how much you enjoy seeing him. Then go on to let them know the dog is in danger because.... Or give them scenarios.. This worked well for me to get a point across to a neighbor. He never felt I was putting him down. He just did not know better or never thought about it. He thanked me for my advice and was happy for me to come by and spend time with his dog. Good luck and THank You for helping Hugo to be a success.
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Post by pborder on Nov 10, 2010 14:54:25 GMT -5
I can talk a bit about this subject since I have an invisible fence. I had it installed when my Pit mix discovered he can go over my chain link fence with no problem and was going over everytime the neighbor's dogs were out or if he heard another dog bark. He would even do it when I was in the yard with him. Many people think that all you do is put the fence in, put the collar on the dog and go on. Actually it requires quite a bit of training especially if the invisable fence is the only containment method. If the invisible fence is the only containment method your neighbors have they should check to make sure the collar is working properly ( the company who installed it can tell them how to do this on their system) and that it is turned up to a level that is appropriate for their dog. Then they need to go back to basic triaining with the dog to re-inforce the lesson of how to react to the fence. The company should also be able to help them with training. They guy who installed mine did a very good job working with me and my dog.
Yes there are dogs who will just run through the fence regardless just like there are dogs who can get out of any containment. Personally I am very happy with my decision to have an invisible fence installed. I can again allow my dog free run of my yard. He is not bothered by the fence at all. He runs and plays and chases squirells, he just doesn't get out of the yard.
An invisble fence is a tool that if used correctly can give freedom to a dog who otherwise would have to be tied or penned. It's not for every dog, nothing is and remember the signal is adjustable from just a beep with no sensation up to a strong sensation.
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 11, 2010 8:31:49 GMT -5
Just FYI, my comments are in reference to **proper usage** of the fences. This is the problem with these things! When used AS DIRECTED there is still sooooooo much damage they can cause that honestly I am not sure why people would opt to use them? Even if it means resorting to leash walking! (I don't even have a yard so that means I go for 4 - 8 walks a day ) Not to mention the training for these fences is by nature aversive (uncomfortable/painful). My friend (who is now a certified dog trainer who is entirely positive) used to work for an invisible fencing company. She did the training for the dogs once the fences were installed. The nightmare stories she has......... eeek! Please please PLEASE - if you have a Pit Bull (or ANY dog), stay away from invisible fences! The emails I have gotten from both concerned owners as WELL as victims of attacks by dogs who have bolted through the fences are SO upsetting. Such bad publicity for our breed that was 100% avoidable (as are most attacks). Invisible fences are NOT an acceptable means of containing this breed. This is NOT an issue to mess around with. Many attacks occur because these dogs tend to be escape artists and people to do not properly contain their dogs!
With all due respect, and I hope this does not come off as rude - not my intention. This is just a very SERIOUS topic not to be taken lightly. I've been counseling Pit Bull owners for 15+ years and this is a REPEAT THEME: "My dog got loose and attacked a neighbor's dog and is now in danger of being killed........." Reposting - please check the links out, they are so worth it! www.hollysden.com/say-no-to-shock-collars.htm#Invisible_Fencing_Systems
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Post by adoptapitbull on Nov 11, 2010 8:41:30 GMT -5
I don't have one, so I cannot speak from experience. However, my friend who has 3 Labs used to have one. Her dogs were good, for the most part, but quickly learned when the batteries were running low. Once they knew that, she started having to chase them around. Luckily she lives on a very secluded piece of land where there are no other dogs, so it is better than someone who lives in a typical neighborhood with other animals roaming, but it was still very stressful when they'd all take off in different directions. Now she's put up a regular fence, less than 2 years after buying and installing by hand this invisible one.
We're installing our 6' privacy fence ourselves right now. Is it hard work? Yes. Is it expensive? Yes. Do I have the peace of mind knowing that nothing can get in and they can't get out? Most definitely. We have so many deer, turkeys, and other critters here that there's no doubt mine would bust through any invisible fence to get a piece of Mr. Tom Turkey!
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Post by pborder on Nov 11, 2010 13:05:17 GMT -5
We will have to agree to respectfully disagree on this subject. My dog has shown no ill effects or temperment issues due to the use of an invisible fence. For me it was the only affordable option. I would have loved to put in a 6 ft privacy fence however I don't have the money. Chaining the dog in the yard to keep him from going over the 4 ft fence in my opinion was not an exceptable option ( how many reports have been published about dogs who developed temerment problems because of being tied or chained) nor was allowing him to go over the fence on a daily basis until Animal Control took him and then fined me for having a Pit Bull running loose.. I like to enjoy my back yard with my dogs so leaving him locked in the house because he wouldn't stay in the yard was also not an option.
My dog has shown absolutely no behavior issues due to the fence, on the contrary he plays and runs in the yard with the other dogs and we play ball in the yard. If at any time my dog becomes vicious due to the use of the invisible fence I will be the first to appologize but for now it is the best thing I could have done for my dog.
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Post by pborder on Nov 11, 2010 13:09:58 GMT -5
The reason I choose to put in the invisible fence along with my existing chainlink fence was to keep him from being one of those stories. Without it the chain link fence did not contain him at all.
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Post by michele5611 on Nov 11, 2010 13:12:35 GMT -5
I meant to ask you the other day if you still had the existing chainlink fence up as that is what I had thought from your original post. Thanks for clarifying that!
Is your dog still jumping the fence on a regular occassion or is it more sporadic....just curious.
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 11, 2010 16:29:43 GMT -5
I applaud you for being responsible about containment. For me, the detrimental risks of shock are just not worth it; I'd find another way of containing my dog. And please understand this isn't a choice of: a) shock fence, b) chaining/tie-out, or c) dog gets loose. None of those are acceptable choices for me, personally, certainly not recommendations for clients of mine. I do want to point out that this isn't personal "opinion", this is the general consensus of the verterinary behavioral community on shock and how it affects dogs. I'm also a certified trainer and it's my job to teach people the best, safest, most humane ways of teaching and caring for their dogs. I do hope you will at least CONSIDER that many experts (certified trainers, veterinary behaviorists, etc) all concur that shock is detrimental to dogs for so many reasons. Disclaimer: the RPB Forum is a shock- and aversive-free zone  Posts that support/encourage the use of shock, choke, prong/pinch collars, or other painful/aversive training techniques are not permitted. This discussion is 100% fine, but I wanted to reiterate the policy on this thread. Also, this post is for the benefit of others who may only be reading and not participating in the discussion. Pat, thank you for your thoughts/comments!  |
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Post by michele5611 on Nov 11, 2010 16:52:36 GMT -5
Pat I too do appreciate you being responsible about containment. It is evident that the chainlink fence wasn't cutting it for your pup which obviously led you to the electric fence as an extra added precaution.
You can always buy a really long horse lead as well if you want to make sure that the dog has the freedom to run but is still safely contained....that's what I do when I am out with my girl.....even though I have a fenced in yard.
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Posts that support/encourage the use of shock, choke, prong/pinch collars, or other painful/aversive training techniques are not permitted. This discussion is 100% fine, but I wanted to reiterate the policy on this thread. 
I look forward to learning much here