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Shock collars are good training tools and are not mean or harmful to a dog as long as they are used properly. Ace actually got a shock last weekend when he tried to follow my brother’s car through the Invisible Fence at my parents’ house. Bad boy! The shock made him turn around and run back into the yard where he belonged.

I have never used a shock collar (electronic collar) for training purposes other than to keep a dog in a yard with an electric fence. I don’t think I would ever use a shock collar on a dog to stop a barking or crying habit or anything like that. It would just make a dog more nervous or excited. However, I have considered using one to train Ace to stay close when we are out in a park or backpacking.

Experiencing a small shock is worth it for the dog if it means he will get to experience a lot more freedom in the long run.

What do you think? Are shock collars cruel?

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Every week I am going to ask a dog-related question. I don’t care if you’re an “expert” or not. I want to hear what you think. Email your dog-related question to me at Lindsay@thatmutt.com, and I’ll post it for others to answer.

(Image from engadget.com)

I recommend electric fences and will have one for my dog as soon as I have my own yard. However, electric fences are not for everyone, so I want to point out a few things to keep in mind before installing one. Based on comments from yesterday’s post, I know some people don’t like them. Here are some reasons why:

1. They allow a dog too much freedom.
If you are going to have an electric fence, your dog will have a lot of freedom to run around her yard. However, this means it’s harder for you to control her. It will annoy the neighbors (and you) if she is constantly outside barking. Behavior issues will start to come up if you do not enforce rules with your dog.

2. You have to enforce the recall.
An electric fence is no fun if your dog doesn’t come when called. Make sure your dog responds well when you call her before you give her the opportunity to run around the yard.

3. Electric fences don’t keep other animals out.
Your dog will not leave her yard, but that doesn’t mean the neighbor dogs won’t come over. Plus, stray dogs, kids, other animals, etc., can still get into your yard.

4. Electric fences bring out the territorial instincts in a dog.
Any barrier will make a dog more likely to bark or act aggressive. Dogs that are normally just fine around other dogs will go nuts when there’s a fence involved. My mutt uses my parents’ electric fence, and he becomes a barker whenever another dog approaches. He will need a lot of training to overcome this.

5. A dog with a fenced yard still needs a walk.
I never let my dog run around the yard and count that as exercise. He needs a walk on top of that.

6. The system will need maintenance.
Like any electrical system, things will go wrong at some point with an electric fence. The underground wire can break due to rodents, weather or other factors. The e-collar batteries will need to be replaced every year or so. The whole system could go out and need to be restarted unexpectedly. Your dog will be confused and run right through the boundaries if she doesn’t hear the usual warning beep.

7. You have to be OK with your dog getting a few vibrations while learning.
When my mutt got a vibration, he froze for a few seconds with his tail between his legs. But he got over it after a few seconds. Some dogs will let out a small yelp. My grandparents’ dog ran in the house after a vibration and didn’t want to go outside for the rest of the day. But she got over it too, and now she gets to enjoy her big backyard. The point is, you have to be OK with your dog getting a small shock. I think of it as a kid learning to ride a bike and falling once or twice.

8. You need to take the time to train the dog.
It will take a week or two to train your dog to use the electric fence. It just depends on the dog, but it will take a lot of patience and consistency.

9. You won’t have a physical fence for privacy.
It depends on how you look at it. If you like privacy, you might want to have an electric fence and a physical fence so your neighbors can’t see you naked in the backyard.

10. Your dog can still get loose.
No electric fence will guarantee that a dog will stay in her yard. There’s a chance that any dog will cross the boundaries, especially when she’s learning. A stranger or another dog is not likely to make an average dog run through the boundaries, but it can happen. Once your dog has crossed the boundary, she might be afraid to cross it to get back into her yard.

What do you think about electric fences for dogs?

(Photo by dogobedienceonline.com)

I can’t say enough good things about electric fences for dogs. I have only used the Invisible Fence, but other brands work the same way. An electric fence is simply an underground wire that circles the area where your dog is allowed. The dog wears an e-collar that beeps once he is a few feet from the boundaries. The beep reminds the dog to turn around and stay within the boundaries, or he will receive a vibration from the collar. While the dog learns where the boundaries are, you can mark the area with small flags.

Even though I recommend electric fences, there are some negative sides to think about, so check back soon for those.

Here are 10 reasons why electric fences are great.

1. All dogs can learn to use an electric fence.
Nearly all dogs can learn to use an electric fence. It doesn’t matter what size or breed your dog is. The only dogs I wouldn’t train to use an electric fence are deaf dogs, blind dogs, extremely fearful dogs or puppies. Just wait until your puppy is at least six months old before training him to use an electric fence.

2. Training is easy.
My mutt learned to use the electric fence and be trusted loose in my parents’ yard after one day. Ace has never ran through the boundaries, and he got two vibrations the first day. That’s all it took. We go to my parents’ house for a day every month or so, and he remembers how to use it every time with no reminders. It’s best to train your dog slowly, step by step. Even then, most dogs will learn within a few days or a week. Without an electric fence, it would’ve taken me months or years to train my dog to stay in a yard unsupervised.

3. It gives your dog a lot more freedom and exercise.
With an electric fence, Ace is free to run in the yard without being tied. It allows him to get more exercise, and I don’t have to be watching him constantly.

4. A dog can’t jump over or dig under an electric fence.
A physical fence is a problem for many dog owners. My golden retriever knew how to climb fences and slip under them. Plus, there was always the possibility that the gate could come open. There’s always a chance the dog will get out of a fenced yard. None of these are issues with an electric fence.

5. You do not have to worry about your dog running away.
I know Ace will not cross the boundaries of the electric fence for anything. I would bet on it. My mutt is obsessed with a tennis ball, and he will not even cross the line for a ball. It’s really rare for any dog to cross his electric fence boundaries once he has learned where they are.

6. You can change the settings to increase or decrease the vibrations.
A yorkie is going to need less of a vibration than a Saint Bernard. You are able to control the settings and adjust them to what’s best for your dog.

7. You don’t have to have a physical fence.
If you don’t like the look of a fence in your yard, then the electric fence is perfect for you because nothing is visible. An electric fence works well in a large yard of a few acres or more. An actual fence is a hassle, unattractive, expensive and can block your view.

8. You can adjust the fence to fit any shape.
You can use an electric fence to fit any shape or size, as long as the two ends meet to create an enclosure. For example, my parents had a wooden-fenced backyard, but their electric fence went around the backyard and into the front yard. This gave us the option of allowing our dogs in the front yard without putting a fence in that area.

9. It’s a good way to keep dogs out of gardens.
You can get pretty creative with the electric fence. Put the boundaries a few feet back from your flower garden and your dog will have to stay out of your flowers. You can also use it to block other areas of your yard such as a pond, beach, driveway or volleyball court.

10. An electric fence costs less than a real fence.
It depends on the company you go with, but an electric fence will probably cost less than any other fence. For a few hundred dollars, you will receive the wire, collars, installation and some basic instruction. Some companies give you the option of installing the electric fence yourself.

Do you use an electric fence? What do you like about it?

(Photo by dogbreedsadvice.com)