Monroe Chat

An editorial of sorts...

Invisible Fences – the Perfect Solution?
By Susan Wise, President of Catnip & Carrots Animal Bunch

The volunteers at C&C have recently been coming across dogs leaving the confines of their electric fences. While these containment systems are becoming quite popular, we thought we should let prospective buyers (and current owners) know the hidden dangers.

Invisible-type fences work by utilizing an electronic collar kept around your pet’s neck which reads impulses from underground wires or radiowave units. When your pet gets near the border of your yard, the computer generates a signal causing a small electro shock or stimulation to surprise your pet and scare them away from the boundary, therefore keeping them within the confines of your yard.

There are advantages to this system; i.e. lower cost than traditional fencing, conform to HOA rules, the ability to be run around pools, spas, gardens or off-limits play areas, and even underwater or through rocky, hilly or wooded areas. Any design or type of area can be customized for your pet. There are even systems that can be run indoors to keep your pets off counters, furniture, out of the baby’s room, etc.

Unfortunately, there are disadvantages, too. Your pet will need to be trained for 2-3 weeks to the use and effects of the system: invisible fencing is not an out of the box solution. You will need to check the collar daily to assure it is not too tight or Pressure Necrosis can result. This is not caused by a burn, but by rubbing or sensitivity from the collar that can lead to reddening of the skin or worse, ulceration. Your pets coat may also be prone to matting and the neck area may need to be trimmed or shaved to assure proper contact of the electronic probes. The batteries will need to be checked periodically and the unit cleaned and tested, as well.

Your pet will also need a veterinary exam to insure there is no underlying medical or behavioral issue that could be aggravated by “static stimulation”. There are claims that some dogs have become aggressive from the constant daily shock of the collar. Older dogs may also become desensitized to the collar and simply wander away. We believe that may have happened to “Schatzi” a 14 yr old mixed breed that simply went missing one morning.

Vitally important – these systems do nothing from deterring other dogs, cats, or animals from coming into your yard and attacking, killing or traumatizing your pet. Escape from fear can easily cause your scared pet to bolt into traffic. Should your pet cross the border, they may be afraid to come back in anticipation of the shock. Make sure the collar is water proof, too. Another dog we recently came across was sweating profusely and the collar let out continuous electronic-pulsations.

Finally, always make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and licensed by the county. Electronic collars don’t always have a hook for ID so ask your fence manufacturer or veterinarian for other alternatives. Invisible fences offer your pet freedom to run and play and may be the right choice for your family but please, at the very least, make sure your pet is microchipped and the registration information is up to date. Afterall, no solution is perfect and knowledge is paramount.

The other down side I see to an electric fence is that people walking by do not know there is an electric fence. It's pretty terrifying to watch a German Shepard bolt at you and then stop at their property line. It's very unnerving. I do not like electric fences for big dogs.

My German Shepard can't run, too old.

Ellie wrote:The other down side I see to an electric fence is that people walking by do not know there is an electric fence. It's pretty terrifying to watch a German Shepard bolt at you and then stop at their property line. It's very unnerving. I do not like electric fences for big dogs.

phil wrote:My German Shepard can't run, too old.

My favorite kind!

I've known three German Shepards in my life. One was old and so very gentle. The other two were killers, one of whom bit a neighborhood babysitter so severely she had to get 30 stitches in her leg. Everyone knew to stay away from these animals and they were my next door neighbor's dogs. Nice people too! It wasn't from poor treatment, at least not from them. I never got the story on why they were so mean, but they were fiercely protective of their home and owners.

So....my heart leaps into my throat when I see large dogs fenced let alone seemingly unfenced.

Ellie wrote:The other down side I see to an electric fence is that people walking by do not know there is an electric fence. It's pretty terrifying to watch a German Shepard bolt at you and then stop at their property line. It's very unnerving. I do not like electric fences for big dogs.

That is so true! I've had the poo nearly scared outta me a few times!