First, here is a short blurb from Victoria Stilwell I read on her public FB page:
There are so many electric fences in my neighborhood and so many dogs that run through them still wearing their collars. These dogs are either run over or are picked up by animal control. Some get lost and never return because they are too frightened to go back through the fence. Fancy marketing and good salespeople promise people quick fixes and 'freedom' for their dogs. They tell them that electric fences aren't cruel and are safe, validating their use and making millions out of dogs' misery.
However the evidence against their use is growing and soon I will be posting links to excellent articles and research studies done on the dangers of electric fences and electric shock training. It is a shameful and lazy way to train or contain a dog and should be banned.
And now, to add my stance:
I had an electric/"invisible" type fence 20 years ago because I had a dog that would jump a normal 4' fence. She needed more exercise. I bought one in my ignorance to "fix" a problem that I didn't know how else to fix. I think many people are in that situation- love dogs, can't have a real fence due to HOA, can't afford a fence, life circumstances and/or have no time to work with their dog, etc. I get it. But when you can, or when you can make influence against the use of them, I hope you will do it.
It does not stop a dog that really wants to get out. They take the HIT and move on. It keeps nothing out of their space so critters and random dogs can still walk into their space and wreak havoc. And to use one properly you need to work with your dog and train them for weeks (and they are fairly expensive to install/ maintain). Many owners don't spend the time training their dog and maybe they can do something more humane instead. I do not like them because they hurt animals (I held the collar and took the HIT to see what it was like- holy cow). The manufacturer just said "dogs can take more pain than we can take ourselves." I wonder if the dogs told them that.
I can tell you it about drove my dog crazy. They do not understand why it beeps at them- they just know it is going to hurt if they get to close. And sometimes it doesn't beep and just shocks therm. And sometimes the fence goes down (my wiring was pierced during yard aeration). Dogs can just freak out over them, always afraid, agitated, etc. You can research plenty on your own to Victoria's point above.
You know, growing up a lot of people tied their dogs. We sometimes did and I saw it as "normal". Others in the neighborhood kept their dogs tied. If they had a good dog house, food, water and some attention, I thought life was good for them. I also tied my dogs within my yard with a fence later in life because one was jumping and I was afraid the non-jumper would go after the jumper. I came home for lunch and they both had almost choked to death. They played while I was gone until they were all tangled up. I got them free and off to the vet but it was not pretty. Everyone healed but the emotional scar on my brain is still there- this was my fault. I am SO happy to see many places outlaw tying up/chaining dogs. They always seem to get hurt or choke and again, it doesn't prevent them from harm by others.
Coming full circle- what do we do to make the world a better place for dogs? No chains, no electric fences. If you want a dog, then you also have to be willing to get a fence, or keep them inside and walk them often. Use a kennel for a few hours each day. When done right, they like it. We are evolving, learning, and becoming better dog owners and advocates. What I once saw as "normal" and gave it no second thought, I now see as a bit cruel but most often- the owner just hasn't thought it all through yet. Please say no to tying up dogs, electric fences and shock collars.
There are so many electric fences in my neighborhood and so many dogs that run through them still wearing their collars. These dogs are either run over or are picked up by animal control. Some get lost and never return because they are too frightened to go back through the fence. Fancy marketing and good salespeople promise people quick fixes and 'freedom' for their dogs. They tell them that electric fences aren't cruel and are safe, validating their use and making millions out of dogs' misery.
However the evidence against their use is growing and soon I will be posting links to excellent articles and research studies done on the dangers of electric fences and electric shock training. It is a shameful and lazy way to train or contain a dog and should be banned.
And now, to add my stance:
I had an electric/"invisible" type fence 20 years ago because I had a dog that would jump a normal 4' fence. She needed more exercise. I bought one in my ignorance to "fix" a problem that I didn't know how else to fix. I think many people are in that situation- love dogs, can't have a real fence due to HOA, can't afford a fence, life circumstances and/or have no time to work with their dog, etc. I get it. But when you can, or when you can make influence against the use of them, I hope you will do it.
It does not stop a dog that really wants to get out. They take the HIT and move on. It keeps nothing out of their space so critters and random dogs can still walk into their space and wreak havoc. And to use one properly you need to work with your dog and train them for weeks (and they are fairly expensive to install/ maintain). Many owners don't spend the time training their dog and maybe they can do something more humane instead. I do not like them because they hurt animals (I held the collar and took the HIT to see what it was like- holy cow). The manufacturer just said "dogs can take more pain than we can take ourselves." I wonder if the dogs told them that.
I can tell you it about drove my dog crazy. They do not understand why it beeps at them- they just know it is going to hurt if they get to close. And sometimes it doesn't beep and just shocks therm. And sometimes the fence goes down (my wiring was pierced during yard aeration). Dogs can just freak out over them, always afraid, agitated, etc. You can research plenty on your own to Victoria's point above.
You know, growing up a lot of people tied their dogs. We sometimes did and I saw it as "normal". Others in the neighborhood kept their dogs tied. If they had a good dog house, food, water and some attention, I thought life was good for them. I also tied my dogs within my yard with a fence later in life because one was jumping and I was afraid the non-jumper would go after the jumper. I came home for lunch and they both had almost choked to death. They played while I was gone until they were all tangled up. I got them free and off to the vet but it was not pretty. Everyone healed but the emotional scar on my brain is still there- this was my fault. I am SO happy to see many places outlaw tying up/chaining dogs. They always seem to get hurt or choke and again, it doesn't prevent them from harm by others.
Coming full circle- what do we do to make the world a better place for dogs? No chains, no electric fences. If you want a dog, then you also have to be willing to get a fence, or keep them inside and walk them often. Use a kennel for a few hours each day. When done right, they like it. We are evolving, learning, and becoming better dog owners and advocates. What I once saw as "normal" and gave it no second thought, I now see as a bit cruel but most often- the owner just hasn't thought it all through yet. Please say no to tying up dogs, electric fences and shock collars.
