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A few days ago, I was lying in bed and little foster Chihuahua Theresa jumped up on the bed to join me for the night. As I reached out my hand to her and she went to sniff my fingertip, she got zapped with static electricity! The next thing I knew, she was huddled on the couch in the living room, shivering, and she has not been back up on the bed since―at all. If I pick her up and sit with her on the bed, petting her and cooing at her, she shakes like a leaf. I find this extremely sad, but not nearly as sad as this recent article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press about people who deliberately shock their dogs with invisible (read: electric-shock) fencing.
Like crates and citronella collars and other abusive dog-training paraphernalia, invisible fencing is becoming more and more popular. Once again, it's the "I want to have my cake and eat it too" mentality, and the dog pays for it. Some people live in neighborhoods that don't allow conventional fencing, while others are just vain about their property and don't think a fence will look nice. Either way, they're willing to let their own dog get zapped in the neck with electricity just so that they can have their nice yard or their nice house. Why do people feel so entitled to "have it all," especially when it's at the expense of an innocent animal? Well, I say, if you have a dog, don't move into a house that doesn't allow normal fencing, and if you live in a house that doesn't allow fencing, don't get a dog. It's as simple as that.
So what are the problems with this system? First of all, using fear and pain to train your dog is just plain mean. OK, that's the bottom line. But in addition to that, the technique can backfire. What if a small child is walking by at the moment that the dog experiences that first scary jolt? Bingo! "That child did it to me, therefore I'll be wary of children (or mail carriers or men or teenagers on bikes or whoever was passing by at that moment) forevermore, and I'll run away from them or maybe I'll even try to bite them!" A significant pain coming out of the blue can be very traumatic. Look at poor little Theresa―she has totally renounced the physical and psychological comfort of sleeping with her pack leader and one of her cohorts all because of one shock to the nose. Don't ever let anyone tell you, "It's no big deal" or "It's just a little tickle." It's serious.
According to Pamela Dennison of Positive Motivation Dog Training, LLC , if you impose this system on Fido, "[y]our dog may start to become neurotic about weird things or become timid, fearful or aggressive. He may start to become aggressive toward the other dogs you have. He may now be fearful about leaving the property at all―even in 'safe' areas. He may also become fearful of new places―especially if you use one of the 'dummy' collars and leave it on all of the time. Think about it: He has a real or dummy collar on and you take him to a new location―maybe even a training class. He is now freaked because he doesn't know where the boundaries are and is terrified of being shocked. He moves around slowly and cautiously because he doesn’t know where the 'safe' places are." Horrible! Electric fences seem to be designed to make dogs neurotic.
But there's more, much more: Dogs have intense prey drives, and many of them will take the jolt just to get out of the yard and chase a squirrel or a cat. But once the chase is over, will Fido be willing to take another hit just to get back in? I don't think so. Who would want to get back into a yard where painful things happen? But let's say that Fido has learned to stay put within the invisible fence. He's the only one respecting that boundary. Other neighborhood dogs could charge right in and pick a fight with him, and he would have nowhere to turn. A dog thief could come by and easily whisk him away. Or a child or a cat might wander into the yard and get mauled by a dog who, by now, has developed displaced aggression from all that pain.
And what of passersby who see a large, scary dog hurtling toward them? How terrifying is that? Some people might even take harsh defensive measures in order to ward off the perceived attack. A police officer, for example, might shoot the dog. It wouldn't be the first time.
Another inhumane aspect of invisible fencing that most people never even think of is the discomfort experienced by dogs who are forced to wear a snug collar with two prongs poking inward at their necks! Even without the electric jolt, that has got to be a huge, constant irritation. I've complained about this before in connection with shock collars. What is wrong with these people that they can't empathize with their own dogs?
But the worst aspect of all is that these electric-shock fencing systems often malfunction, causing the dog to get shocked randomly and severely or even seriously burned. In the St. Paul Pioneer Press article mentioned above, a dog got shocked because he walked too near the air-conditioning unit. Other appliances can trigger shocks as well, and so can rain. Poor maintenance or even simple wear and tear can also cause a malfunction. Who would risk inflicting such a frightening, painful experience on their own dog? Probably mostly people who are uninformed. So spread the word about these devious devices―please! I would love to see them banned altogether.
Comments ( 7 )
Thank you for doing this blog. The frequency of posts and the high quality and relevance of the information are wonderful!
I would be so pleased if someone at PETA could create a similar blog for cat issues!
Thanks again, I enjoy reading your blog very much and find so much "food for thought" in the posts!
Posted by Glen Venezio | January 28, 2008 11:06 PM
Posted on January 28, 2008 23:06
I am so glad you posted this. My in laws were thinking about putting one in last summer for my pug (they have a pug too who doesn't leave the yard). Since my pug runs right out the door when it opens they thought this was a good idea. I was totally against it. I am glad now I have facts to back it up. If they knew these things they would NEVER think about putting one in!!
Posted by Lauren | January 29, 2008 11:03 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:03
I completely appreciate your comments, but I believe you need to look at all sides before you judge all dog owners with invisible fencing. I strongly believe that in many situations, this type of fence is absolutely wrong, but not every situation.
First off, my two dogs were both properly trained and have not gotten shocked once since the first couple weeks we had it. (I put it on the lowest level and held the collar with my thumbs on the prongs to ensure it was a shock, not pain). Also, both of my dogs were adoptions and both have social problems. (in spite of taking them to obedience training) My Shephard/Chow mix was abandoned by her family after their small daughter was taken from them by CPS. They just moved away and left her there in the yard. Luckily, a neighbor took her in until I met her. She's mellowed dramatically, but is still extremely protective and will bite strangers and attack other dogs. My second dog, a Pit Bull mix, was taken from her owner when the parents of the young man who had her reported that her broken leg was due to him throwing her against the wall - repeatedly - and not due to her falling off the roof as he had told the vet. Upon examination, it was determined that not only was one of her back legs broken in 4 places, but the other was in the process of healing. She loves people. Absolutely no aggression ever towards a human. But, as the young man was training her to fight, if a dog comes near, she goes for the throat.
I do have a fenced yard, but because of the curving of the yard, there are areas where my large dogs can easily leap over. Initially, I took them out on a leash for their exercise. Not a lot of fun for them. I have a large yard and they have free run of it. I don't have the system because of vanity about my property (the yard has large holes my little darlings have dug) or any rules about fencing. I have it in place to protect not only the neighbors and their dogs, but my own dogs as well, by having this extra measure of protection. I had rather them experience a second or two of discomfort (which, as I said, hasn't happened in at least 3 years now), than to be taken away by animal control and euthanised because of their lack of social skills.
I appreciate and respect your views and understand your reasoning. But understand that I've been a vegetarian for 22 years, a Vegan for going on 5 years, I don't wear fur, leather, wool, silk or buy products tested on animals. I volunteer at shelters, the annual Seattle Vegfest and I am an animal rights activist. Although I appreciate your views, I do not appreciate being lumped in with those selfish home owners with pets who have "want my cake and eat it, too" mentality.
>>>KP's Response:
That's great, Pam, but I think this is a blind spot for you. I can't believe that you would inflict pain on dogs who have already been through so much pain. Why don't you just improve your fence? Raise up the parts that are too low.
And how many hours a day do they have those two prongs poking into their necks? The whole time that they're outside supposedly enjoying the yard? Please don't tell me that that doesn't bother them. Dogs are very stoic.
KP
Posted by Pam | January 31, 2008 5:55 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 17:55
I agree with Pam. I know people who love their dogs; they did put a fence up but the city ordered them to remove it due to an easement for access to the beach. No, they did not GET dogs. People abandoned them on the beach and they were kind enough take them in because they know a shelter would euthanize them due to health and age. They got an electric fence and used the vibration (lowest) setting. Once the dogs knew the boundaries, they put up flags along the perimeter and no longer use the collars. I have strapped the collar to my own arm and tested it. The low settings can't realistically be called pain - that is ridiculous! The electric fence was used as a training tool.
>>>KP's Response:
Hi Pam,
Unfortunately, your story doesn't ring true. How would a vibration stop a dog from running out of the yard? That just goes against all logic.
And have you stopped to think how different it is when you know a shock is coming because it's self-inflicted vs. a shock out of the blue that is completely unexpected? Not quite the same thing. Plus the fact that you understand the whole system and why it's being used, etc. The dog doesn't get any of that preparation.
And how would you like to go around with those prongs stuck into your neck all day? You stuck them into your arm, not your neck, for a few seconds only.
Let's try to look at this through the dog's eyes.
Just because someone is "kind enough" to rescue a dog doesn't give them license to use unkind training techniques.
KP
Posted by Beverly Whelan | February 1, 2008 2:29 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 14:29
By "petting" and "cooing" Theresa when on the bed you are instilling the behavior of the shaking and fearfulness. We are forever wanting our animals to be and behave like little people, but they are not. Animals need to be treated with the respect they deserve in a way that allows them to be mentally healthy animals. Not little baby humans. Try behaving as if nothing happened on the bed. Your chihuahua will get over it when you do.
>>>KP's Response:
Hi Riannon!
Yes, you're absolutely right. I was just trying to show her that the bed wasn't a place to be scared, but my approach was probably confusing to her. I only did it once, then stopped, and I'm happy to report that she is now back up on the bed at night. So thank goodness that drama is over!
KP
Posted by Riannon R. | February 1, 2008 3:37 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 15:37
I agree that these fences aren't especially kind, but I would also like to point out that, like Pam said, there are sometimes justifiable reasons for using them. I adopted an Irish Setter from a rescue program last spring, and while she is very sweet, she has major separation anxiety when I leave to go anywhere. As a result, she started digging under the fence in my backyard, and to date has escaped 4 times. Thankfully, people have found her and called me to pick her up, but one of these days her luck might run out. The idea of her getting hit by a car, or just never seeing her again and not knowing what happened to her, is horrible. I don't like the idea of her getting shocked, but I don't know what else to do. I can't afford to install an entirely new chainlink fence, but I have gotten cement blocks and stones to wedge under the fence. She has been able to remove the cement blocks on at least one occasion (thankfully I was home when she did this and saw her as she was escaping). Currently, she spends the day in my mudroom with my other dog until I get home (they have clean bedding, fresh water, a toy), but this doesn't seem that great of a solution, either. I stopped training her with the electric fence because it upset her so much, and I don't know if I'll try it again or not. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Again, I don't like the electric fence solution, and I'm currently not using it, but I think it might be warranted at times like this. And I am also a vegetarian, don't buy/wear fur, leather, etc, and have been for 4 years. I LOVE my pets, all 7 of them. I am trying to sell my house and move to a place with a bigger yard and hopefully a good fence, so we'll see how it goes.
>>>KP's Response:
Hi Mandy!
Thanks for writing and seeking a better solution. I implore you not to use the electrical shocks on your dog anymore--as you said, it upsets her, and rightly so. There is always a better way.
One of my coworkers, Jean, has a really neat alternative idea. If your fence is wooden, you buy a bunch of planks about 1 foot wide and nail them to the bottom of the fence at an angle, sloping downward. This makes it much, much harder to dig under the fence because you've effectively widened it buy about a foot.
You might also be able to do the same thing with a chain-link fence and some kind of stiff chicken wire (you would attach it differently, of course, maybe using wire.
If your yard is small, this won't cost much, and it should only take a couple of hours to install. Try it, and let us know how it goes.
Also, you can do a lot to alleviate her separation anxiety, using training, interactive toys, herbal remedies, exercise, etc. That's really the root of the problem, so I would work on that too.
Thanks for caring.
KP
Posted by Mandy W | February 3, 2008 10:05 AM
Posted on February 3, 2008 10:05
I have a great many mixed feelings about this. I don't like anything that hurts my babies, but I have another side that may have benefitted me. I had two pit-bull mixes, they were brother and sister. I have a kennel and they always have their collars and are never left unattended outside. Well they go potty in their kennel and last week when I was bringing them back in the house, somehow the female's collar slipped off,(I always check them for tightness) I don't know how it happened but she turned to look at me and off it went. Well she likes to run free and that's why we even have a security gate installed in the house. She paused for a moment and we live on a pretty busy street that people speed on all the time and she ran out into the street. The car that hit her didn't even slow down, it was like he didn't even see her. Needless to say she didn't make it, the vet did everything they could but she was too hurt. But I believe in precautions and I think sometimes that if I would have had one of those electronic fences maybe it would have slowed her down. But I don't know we tried fencing in the back of the house but she was always my acrobat dog and could jump the 8 feet one with no hesitation. We tried training but she always was the stubborn one. So I have to say if it saves their life then maybe a little annoyance wouldn't be so bad. Rest In Peace Baby Girl. Luv mama
>>>KP's Response:
Hi DeeAnna,
I'm very sorry for your loss. But I don't think you would have been happy with shocking your dog's neck either. There is always another way. A humane way. You didn't find it in time for this dog, but I hope you'll never resort to shocking your own beloved dog. Being hit by a car was an accident, but shocking a dog's neck on purpose isn't. Don't beat yourself up. You did the best you could at the time. And we all make mistakes, that's for sure.
KP
Posted by DeeAnna Wardle | February 28, 2008 3:17 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 15:17