Electric dog fence and correction device

[Variable]

Anyone have any experience with these? I want something that will give them a mild shock with a collar. I have a AKC German Shephard pup and he is getting out of my fence and squeezing between the car gates. He is also turning out to be really agressive towards people coming in the fence area. I have never had a dog act like that, so I am not sure what to do with his behaviour. I was thinking a hand held shock controller may help. He is going to be pretty darn big, and went nuts when some boys came into the house to visit with my boys the other day. I put him in his cage and had the boys come over and let him sniff the back of their hands and he was having none of it. He bit my teenage daughter's boyfriend and drew blood. I warned the boy not to just stroll in the yard but, he ignored my statement with a little wave and smile and strolled in and tried to walk past the dog; Zeke bit him in the leg. How do you ignore a dog barking at you and the home owner saying to stop, I don't know. I really feel like he asked for it and told him so. After that, the dog was fine around him pretty much. Kept an eye on the boy for me and that was a good thing.

Fenced in area around my house is pretty large, about 75 yards deep and 100 yards wide with three 10 foot gates; another 5+ acres and a big pond are unfenced. I would like to give them a lot of room to run around in. I want to get a collar for my black Lab as well. He is a lot smarter and older than the pup and pays attention to things like cars. But he's getting old and maybe a bit less attentive. Started looking online but, thought someone may have one and could steer me in the right direction quality wise and installation tips. If you know of any forums with this type of thing that would be great too.

[classicsoftware]

What you need is a personal dog trainer. German Shepherds are very territorial. Mine would patrol the fence, back and forth waiting for someone to come by. Bark like the dickens. I could here her a 1/4 mile away. Tighten up the fencing and get a trainer.

My dog got the Comcast guy once. He walked into her yard and she grabbed him by the ankle. The message was clear, if you move I keep the foot. If you stay still you can keep it. He was smart enough to stay put until the wife came.

The trouble with electrical fencing is fast dogs, Greyhounds and puppies that run full speed is the shock is momentary and does not deter them. Older dogs it works pretty well. We had private lessons for my shepherd so she could learn control her fury, that's why the cable guy still has his foot....:D

[Paul Komski]

I have no experience myself but my vet's mother-in-law and a local farmer both claim they are really effective for keeping a dog fenced in; they quickly learn where they can and cannot go.

A Correction Device would be a different ball-game and it would be possible make an aggressive dog worse rather than better.

Wires can be underground so gates wouldn't be a problem. eg http://www.dogfence.co.uk/dog_fence/how_does_dog_fence_work.htm and the area described is upto 100 acres.

[Budfred]

I have seen dogs ignore the invisible fences many times and do not trust them... Since I have a Bassett, I wouldn't even consider it... It he gets a scent, a little tickle on his neck would not slow him down... I think the same would be true of a vigilant guard like a German Shepard... I agree with getting good training... Shepards are extremely bright and do very well when trained...

[Variable]

I will be looking into a private trainer. I will still need to get a electric fence of some kind. My black lab actually climbs the fence to get out, the sheppard could watch him a few times and pick up the trick. They could also dig out anywhere along the fence. It is a long fence.

[pentachris]

Fancy being on television? Perhaps the dog whisperer (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/cesar.html) could come help you.

Great show, by the way. I understand some of the points his critics make, but there's no denying his uncanny ability to work and communicate with dogs.

[mystic202]

I also came here to get opinions on the effectiveness of a wireless fence for my dog. We are living in a rental home with no fence and I want him to be able to enjoy the yard without a tie down. He is a mellow obedient guy, but I wonder if a squirrel went running by what would happen...

However, Holy Cow! When I saw your post, I had to reply. You have a bigger problem on your hands than what kind of fence to get. Your dog is a tragedy (and lawsuit) waiting to happen. He and you both need training geared for an aggressive breed dog. I have owned and trained a Rottwieller and other mixed breed dogs. I was amazed at the difference the training made in our relationships and satisfaction of life with a big dog.

I agree with watching Dog Whisperer on The National Geographic Channel to give you an idea of what might be accomplished (and avoided) with the right kind of training. Not all trainers are alike. Please choose your trainer carefully, and

Good Luck!

[PrntRhd]

As the owner of a very large, fast and impulsive German Shepherd mix, I am quite concerned about the incident where your dog bit the teenage friend of your daughter. If more persons get bitten and their lawyers find out about the prior incident you will be at a severe disadvantage unless you showed you obtained some remedial training to get the animal under control. Get some additional insurance coverage to protect your assets and a trainer that can give you and the dog some control ASAP.

[Variable]

I've probably had 25 dogs over the years and this one is an odd ball, may be inbreeding. Seems fine around the family and plays with my boys all the time but if anyone not in the family comes over he goes bonkers. Can't do anything with him until they leave. If the trainer can't help, he won't be on the earth much longer. I just found out last week my wife is preggers again. Agressive dogs and babies don't mix.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Aggressive dogs and babies don't mix.

Someone I work with put a pit bull down recently because of the dog getting aggressive with a baby in her mother's arms. Infants/toddlers tend to touch faces or 'slap the cheeks' or mouth of who is holding them when they get excited over what they are hearing and the dog took that as a threat or harm to the mom. The child is fine but the dog is now history...

On the dog fence,
My sister uses an invisible fence and has had no problems with 2 mongrels. One Shepherd-Collie, one Husky-retriever. But we had a Corgie-Lab mix that would have bolted past the barrier with the way she took off every time she slipped her collar. Even if she wanted to stop, her momentum would have got her past any harm :eek:

[classicsoftware]

First, for the Fence. When you get the fence, they train the dog. They bring the dog to the flag and the dog gets shocked. Dogs are smart enough to know that they better say stay away from the flag. My sister in law got the electric fence for her sheltie. It worked like a charm. At our vacation home in the mountains, she put up the flags (NO ELECTRIC FENCE) and the dog stayed clear of the flags..

Second. I had a half Shepherd 1/2 Collie. I am certain that she would have killed anyone with extreme prejudice if they entered her home without authorization or if she felt they were a threat to her family. She was extremely aggressive to strangers she barked at anyone who came anywhere near our property. When my oldest was born, she learned to walk by pulling herself up on the dogs ears. I have pictures of my daughter playing in the dogs food bowl while she was eating. I'll post them if you want.

A good trainer will help the owner and the dog control the aggressive behavior.