Friday, August 3, 2007

Don't fence me in

Got an e-mail yesterday from Pete B. about "invisible fences."

He has a rescued Brittany named Annie who is about 6 or 7 years old. He just installed one of the underground dog fences — by DogWatch — so Annie could have some freedom in they yard.

Pete writes:
She has completely changed. Barely wants to pee, poop or play. Am told this is normal and that she will come around. Do you know of any others who have this system?
I don't know much about the invisible fences, except the basics on how they work. My first, uneducated, thought would be that the setting on the collar needs to be altered.

My concern about those fences is that you just know sometime there is going to be something so wonderful — out there — that the dog is just going to have to get it or chase it and won't care about the fence. Then the poor thing won't want to come back into the yard.

But fenced-in yards aren't available for everyone.

Does anyone have any thoughts for Pete?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please check the settings on the system. My golden was being shocked almost all the time because it was set wrong - instead of getting a warning at 15ft he was getting shocked. Also, remember never leave the dog unattended, your dog can't leave but other animals can come into your yard.

Michael Woyton said...

I think those comments make sense. And I've always been concerned about other animals being able to get into the yard, while the resident dog can't leave.