Why an Electric Containment Fence is Not Acceptable
Electronic fencing does not prevent other animals from coming into the yard and fighting with your dog--a fact that vets can attest to because they've had to "patch up" dogs that have been attacked while in their own yards.
While electronic fencing uses radio, not electrical collars, the cautions needed to protect your dog during, and even more importantly preceding, electrical disturbances (namely thunderstorms) are pretty much the same. You must remove the collars and bring the dog indoors--for the same reason you are advised not to use the telephone during a thunderstorm: the dog can get zapped!
Electronic fencing is absolutely no deterrent to dog nappers who are known to steal dogs from owners' yards while the owners are inside their homes.
Some dogs will submit to the jolt of the shock when they find the reward of getting to something on the other side a higher reinforcement than the brief pain. Very few are going to risk another shock, though, to re-enter the perimeter. When Danes are spooked, they can become so frightened that they will not even respond to the sound of their owner's voice.
Even more importantly, nowadays, is that electronic fencing puts no observable barrier between the dog who knows the boundaries and visitors/strangers who can't see them. Because of all the scare stories about dogs attacking people, more and more people are becoming leery of anything larger than a Cocker Spaniel. Additionally, people are becoming more and more quick to sue homeowners over dogs frightening them - and collecting, usually because insurance companies find it cheaper to pay off a claim than to fight it in court. The result of this action is that the homeowner could well loose his insurance.
Another point is that some dogs think passersby are causing the shock -- which makes them more likely to bite them if they do submit to the jolt...or if there is no jolt. And, some danes are too tall to activate the shock collar, rendering the unit useless.
Obviously, because of the above reasons, we do not recommend electrnoic fencing, particularly not where such fencing allows the dog to get into the front yard since the chance of passerbys and strangers coming to your door are obviously much greater.
We DO suggest use of wire stock fencing (vinyl covered the best). It's usually 4 ft. high, can be stapled to trees, house etc or affixed to metal posts in ground. It's easy to erect, less unsightly than chain link and, best of all, relatively inexpensive. It is not the expense or beauty of a solid fence that we care about but that the dane we adopt to you is safely contained. You may be the most conscientious of owners but you cannot control the people who pass by, the wildlife in the area, and the environment.
(c) [email protected].
While electronic fencing uses radio, not electrical collars, the cautions needed to protect your dog during, and even more importantly preceding, electrical disturbances (namely thunderstorms) are pretty much the same. You must remove the collars and bring the dog indoors--for the same reason you are advised not to use the telephone during a thunderstorm: the dog can get zapped!
Electronic fencing is absolutely no deterrent to dog nappers who are known to steal dogs from owners' yards while the owners are inside their homes.
Some dogs will submit to the jolt of the shock when they find the reward of getting to something on the other side a higher reinforcement than the brief pain. Very few are going to risk another shock, though, to re-enter the perimeter. When Danes are spooked, they can become so frightened that they will not even respond to the sound of their owner's voice.
Even more importantly, nowadays, is that electronic fencing puts no observable barrier between the dog who knows the boundaries and visitors/strangers who can't see them. Because of all the scare stories about dogs attacking people, more and more people are becoming leery of anything larger than a Cocker Spaniel. Additionally, people are becoming more and more quick to sue homeowners over dogs frightening them - and collecting, usually because insurance companies find it cheaper to pay off a claim than to fight it in court. The result of this action is that the homeowner could well loose his insurance.
Another point is that some dogs think passersby are causing the shock -- which makes them more likely to bite them if they do submit to the jolt...or if there is no jolt. And, some danes are too tall to activate the shock collar, rendering the unit useless.
Obviously, because of the above reasons, we do not recommend electrnoic fencing, particularly not where such fencing allows the dog to get into the front yard since the chance of passerbys and strangers coming to your door are obviously much greater.
We DO suggest use of wire stock fencing (vinyl covered the best). It's usually 4 ft. high, can be stapled to trees, house etc or affixed to metal posts in ground. It's easy to erect, less unsightly than chain link and, best of all, relatively inexpensive. It is not the expense or beauty of a solid fence that we care about but that the dane we adopt to you is safely contained. You may be the most conscientious of owners but you cannot control the people who pass by, the wildlife in the area, and the environment.
(c) [email protected].