Wireless dog fence

[LilyTheSavage]

Help please.
Has anybody used a wireless dog fence like this....www.amazon.co.uk/Petsafe-Invisible-Radio-Controlled-PIF-300/dp/B0030DH1WE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408902188&sr=8-1&keywords=wireless+dog+fence

I have a 9 month old border terrier who has decided that his favourite thing is to leave the garden and go down the road to our neighbour's farm and has already killed one chicken and has had a go at another. For various reasons it's just not feasible to fence the garden..... it's very large and rural.

He's a fantastic little dog but needs containing.

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

Sorry but I think that's a terrible terrible way to restrain your dog.

I am sure you want the best for your dog which is why you need him to stay put and not risk your neighbour who has every right to shoot your dog but this option would be cruel. It may not even work!

Your puppy is being rewarded when he leaves your garden with the excitement of chasing and killing chickens, I suspect that any shock the collar would give him he would pail into insignificance against the thrill of the chase. So he would be being harmed with no effect. There are cases of these collars burning then fusing to the necks of dogs who have a high case instinct.

In any case, your border terrier is only doing what his breed is telling him to do.

Your pain free options for restraining him (without fencing) really come down tying him to a long line while he is outside (with a harness not collar, he will prob be able to slip a collar). And training, lots and lots (years and years) of training. Even then he will always have the chase / kill instinct now he has discovered it.

If that is not practical for you then he is not the dog for you.

Personally I am surprised that they even allow these fences to be sold in this country. Like prong collars I think they should be banned.

Good luck

Crazy for even considering one Elecrtic Dog Fences

Electric even.

Those fences are vile and shouldn't be sold.
Why don't you get a dog trainer in to try and help you, but surely when you got him you would of realised the inner terrier would come out.

Either a tie out or a lead and supervision is required. Chasing chickens is a self rewarding behaviour and is instinctive prey drive.

Thanks for your advice. The neighbouring farmer has only just started keeping chickens so when I got him the chicken thing wasn't an issue.

My local vet suggested this an option. I was trying to research it and just thought I'd ask for advice. I have to say that I don't like the idea at all, but was just exploring options.

Thanks wise mumsnetters. Lots and lots and lots of training it's going to be then.

I think they're a terrible idea. If you do get one or have the chance to try one, please test it extensively on yourself before you put it on an animal which can't describe exactly what it can feel. Electric shocks are horrible, even mild ones.

Sorry x-post. Lots of training is a great option, so rewarding in lots and lots of ways, not just re: chickens.

Are the chickens loose BTW? Have you had a chat with the neighbour about maybe keeping them in a run until your doggy is reliably trained not to run off?

Why not just fence off a bit of your garden so the dog can go out safely .

The chickens are in a run in the farm. The garden is huge and we are in the middle of deepest, darkest most rural France. I've had him on a long lead and am not letting him out of my sight at the moment, but we have builders in and it's hard work. I take him for long runs by the canal and through the woods every day so it's not as if he's bored and is looking for trouble. I'm a bit annoyed to be honest about the farmer deciding to get chickens because I wouldn't have got a terrier if he'd had them before. I'm used to lovely docile, obedient springer spaniels (like the 3 year old bitch I also have). She's as good as gold.

Fencing might have to be another option as well.

Very grateful for all your advice and suggestions. Thanks.

I agree with fencing off a small area too
But
I live in a rural home where lots of gardens don't have fencing and its really annoying having to rescue my neighbours dogs because yet again they have taken themselves for a walk. My garden is hedging, some wire fencing, gates etc, so not perfect but I continually supervise my dog/s for their own safety. Letting them out unsupervised is alien to me really .

And yet it was MY dog that got hit by a car whilst I was with her :( where is the justice?

That's just rubbish Owllady. I'm so sorry about your dog. My dogs are always supervised (but I have builders in) and just occasionally I think Roger is in one place.... and he's in another. I'm a responsible owner and am trying very hard to do my best. First job tomorrow is obviously going to be buying lots of fencing.

I can't stand having workmen round for all the reasons you describe

Just to second the poster who said that no shock would deter him.

When we first had chickens, Patch would constantly bark at them and try to get through their fencing. We couldn't catch him because the pen was inset from the hedge do he could do a loop.

I once tried to lure him away by offering him a whole packet of Ham (he's incredibly food orientated). He didn't even sniff it. He was so focused on the chickens that he'd shut down his senses to anything else.

He's quite good with them now. It took months and I'm sure he'd kill them if he could, but all the time the fence is there, they stare at each other. The chickens with a look of 'how can I reach his nose to peck it? ' and him with a look of 'man I could shake you to death in under a minute and it would feel GOOD.'

If it makes you feel any better I have a collie who goes potty at the first sign of sheep - we've trained him to walk nicely on the lead past sheep but if he sees them before we do he's off. He likes to pick one off from te flock and bring it back to me, then I have to rugby tackle him to get him back. Just like lougle's dog he's food orientated but there is no food on this earth that compaires with the joy of chasing sheep.

I'm now six months pregnant and I feel my rugby tackling days are over!

So now I'm hyper vigilant in the country and he spends more time on the lead than I would like. Relaxing walks have a less relaxing feel to them these days!

I think it's great that your exploring all your options rather than just getting rid of your pup :)

You need to read my thread here

Some self righteous people will still enjoy giving you a kicking about your dog's behaviour, but it looks like training and long lines are the only options.

Best of luck OP, I'm in the same boat and it's not a very comfortable sail at the moment.

Thanks very much Ladyflip. I read your thread and it sounds like you're having a tough time too. I'm a bit cross because there weren't chickens when we got him and I am actually very vigilant and keep him on a lead when we're out.

lougle - I giggled when I read your description of Patch and the chickens eyeing each other up. Is he a Border terrier too?

We love Roger and aren't getting rid of him. No way. It could be that I have to turn the garden into Colditz.

ffallada - that's a very unusual collie to go potty to chase sheep. Are you sure he isn't just trying to round them up in a wild way?

Lily - you are so on the mark, he is trying to round up the sheep and find a good one to share with me. He then brings it to me and seems genuinely surprised that I am quite angry. We have spend a lot of time on his recall, it is better than it was, but its not great.

Next year, when the baby is here, we are going back to basics and taking a long line out with us when we walk in the hills. Hopefully we will 'proof' him then. Its a bit embarrassing when we have walked to the top of a murno and he scarpers off cause there is a sheep on the next hill he likes the look of. I'm left shouting like a banshee and hoping there are no farmers around with guns. He always comes back but that's not the point.

Its really rotten that your neighbour got chickens and somehow you are responsible for keeping them safe. Are they free-range or is Roger getting into their enclosure?

Do you get on well with your neighbour? Will Rodger be safe if he gets into the chickens again?

Owllady - your post is so sad. Sorry for your loss.

They are in an enclosure within a barn. Roger has had to work quite hard to get in. Little git! I get on ok with my neighbour at the moment but have already had to pay for the one chicken he killed.