Invisible Dog Fence Vent

[Hillbeans]

Ok, I know a lot of people on the DIS have Dogs and we hope to get a small friendly dog one day soon, but I just need to vent about a dog down the street from our new house.

There is a house right next to a large park where many kids go to play. The people who live in that house have a huge German Shepherd. I need to add here that I *like* dogs but have always been afraid of big dogs to some extent from a bite I got when I was 4 from a family member's dog.

Anyway, the other day, DS 5, myself and my stroller with DS 8 months were going up the sidewalk to the park. This HUGE dog comes running at us with full force and DS 5 started screaming and crying. The owners have an "invisible fence" but the dog came about 2 feet from the sidewalk and he was barking, growling, etc.

OMG - needless to say, DS is scared to death to go by that house and in fact I am also. What if the dog somehow gets out over the fence? My son is actually smaller than this dog.

I know in NJ there are leash laws and I don't know where invisible fencing comes into play with this. I just don't know how I feel about invisible fencing because in my opinion in this case, this dog is huge and should not be left to just roam around the property and scare people coming up and down the sidewalk.

Am I in the wrong here?

 

[DawnCt1]

The dog is confined to his property so no leash is required. Unless the dog is violating some noise ordinance, I am not sure that you have a legitimate complaint. A dog behind a physical barrier type fence could also dig under it, jump over it or someone could leave a gate ajar. We had an invisable fence for Annie and even when her battery died or the power went out, she was trained to stay within the confines of her area.

 

[Hillbeans]

Dawn, I agree with you that the owners are not breaking any laws (as we both understand it).

To me there is a huge difference when you see a cute dog running after you who just wants some attention than a huge dog with large teeth, drool and nothing more than a small electrical shock standing in the way from him biting myself or my kids. I don't think this dog would have stayed in it's yard if for some reason the electric went out.

It just was scary.....and we'll walk in the street going past that house from now on.

 

[laurajetter]

Dawn, I agree with you that the owners are not breaking any laws (as we both understand it).

To me there is a huge difference when you see a cute dog running after you who just wants some attention than a huge dog with large teeth, drool and nothing more than a small electrical shock standing in the way from him biting myself or my kids. I don't think this dog would have stayed in it's yard if for some reason the electric went out.

It just was scary.....and we'll walk in the street going past that house from now on.

Yeah, I would agree in this case. A dog down the street gets out of his fence all the time. I just found out from a different neighbor it is because there is a weak spot which needs to be fixed (how long does it take to get fixed? This has been going on for a while). Thankfully it's just a friendly golden retriever.

My husband growing up had an Alaskan Malamute in his neighborhood who would on occasion break free from the invisible fence if he really had his mind set on something, like chasing a rabbit. He would just run full speed ahead and barrel through the shock. I think there was a shock for several feet, but once through it, no more shock. Since he was going so fast and was focused on something, he didn't care about the pain. What's worse, once he was done with his fun little escapade, he was deterred from going back home because of the shock he would receive crossing back into his yard.

I don't know what the answer is, but I agree that I would not like that situation at all. Is there any alternate route to the park?

 

[LindaR]

Perhaps you could walk on the other side of the street? Nevertheless, animals can sense your fear so perhaps you can just give a sharp, deep "NO!" and keep walking.

I have owned lots of dogs (several of them german shepherds) and have only been bitten once in my life................by my neighbor's toy poodle!

I will say this in defense of shepherds. They are protective. The dog is "protecting" his property from intruders (you). Just because he barks does not mean he is about to attack you. GSD's are very very intelligent dogs and he is warning you that you are too close to his property. That's why this breed is used in so many fields. They are capable of thinking and being trained for SO many things.

Small does not mean "nicer". Large does not indicate "meaner". Walk on the other side of the street. The dog is doing what he's supposed to do.

 

[LindaR]

BTW, I am the owner of an 8 pound toy poodle, a 73 pound border/spaniel mix, and a 96 pound german shepherd.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It bums me out to hear stories like this. I can see where you'd be concerned. Large, strong dogs have been known to go right through electric fences despite the shock. As much as I love dogs (and German Shepherds in particular), I wouldn't be happy if I were in your shoes, either.

Is it possible to walk on the other side of the street to get to the park? That might be the easiest solution. I know you probably might not be wild about this idea, but is it possible to ask the owner if you can meet the dog in the house (without the kids if they're scared or you're concerned) so he gets to know you and your family's scent? I would bring some really good treats like liver chips or cheese. If you do have to walk by him, keep some in your pocket as you walk by, it would make the dog look forward to you coming by every day and perhaps scare you less (although I bet he'll still bark).

When a dog - any dog - is left to their own devices like this and not taught how to behave, bad habits can set in. Sounds like this has become a habit for the dog. (I'm sure the mailman isn't happy, either ). Many dogs were originally bred to protect and that instinct is still alive and well today. It takes time and effort to channel it productively and safely. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing or able to put in this type of effort.You cannot imagine the time and effort I've put in to keep my dog well socialized. She is never outside without one of us, unless it's in our backyard which has a 6 ft stockade fence and there is nobody to bother out there. She's friendly, but I'm not willing to take any chances. If a bite occurs, everyone loses.

Some people leave dogs like this in their yards because A) they're clueless and/or B) they want to keep people away from their home. If it's A, maybe just having a discussion about how scary it is to walk by would make them aware and (hopefully) have more control of the dog. Most German Shepherd organizations recommend a 6 foot stockade fence if the dog is out alone.

Good luck.

 

[MBeds]

When i'm walking or riding my bike and i see a dog charging at me from the front yard - it freaks me out...but then suddenly the dog stops - kind of makes me want to say "na na na na naaaa na"

 

[LindaR]

Pea-N-Me, I'd like to comment on something you said. Please do not give treats to a dog without the owners permission! My german shepherd had some digestive problems and her food intake was carefully monitored. I had neighbors who (on their morning and evening walks) would attempt to throw her some treats (also because she was barking) while I was sitting on our deck. All I did was walk to the fence and stop them and explain that what they were doing would not help with the barking and could be a health risk to her. (PLUS the fact that I don't want strangers feeding MY dog. It could be treats or it could be poison). They apologized. I introduced them to Carson and said that they were free to speak to her and even throw her ball, but no food. Once they started that, she shut up and would just walk along the fence line til they were away from our property.

By giving food, you are rewarding a behavior that you may not want to reward!

 

[SandraVB79]

Another solution: can't you contact the dog's family, and try to get to know the dog? That way, you won't be a stranger to him anymore, and he (aybe) won't bark anymore when you meet him??

 

[Evil Queen]

How scary, let's just hope he stays in the "fence".

One of my dogs would not do well with an invisible fence. She could care less if she has her mind set on something, but this would be other animals, not people.

I am one of those I have a fear of smaller dogs, than larger. The only time I've been bitten was by a small dog.

 

[minkydog]

I don't blame you for being concerned! The dog issued a threat your way.He might be warning you or he may be about to attack I was jumped with no warning by 2 German Shepards when I was about 8. I don't even want to know what would have happened had my father not been their to pull the dogs off me. It affected me for years after.

I'll tell you my experience with invisible fencing--it's not worth the box it came in. My Standard Poodle would just as soon take the pop and be free to roam the neighborhood. He's a big, black hairy dog with big white teeth and can look quite menacing. We eventually put up a real fence and everyone is happier now.

I would call Animal Control and find out the laws in your community. The owner may be within his rights to have the dog unleashed in his own invisibly fenced yard(although IMO, he's an idiot ) but maybe not. In my community, dogs must either be leashed or fenced even while in their yards.

 

[Hillbeans]

The only sidewalk on the street goes in front of their house and their house is next to the park. We started walking on the street to get to the park.The street is not busy though, so it's only just a minor inconvenience to walk on the street and then get back on the sidewalk.

They have a right to have a dog and it could be the friendliest dog once you get to know it, but a dog that size and that determined to get to people walking up and down the sidewalk was just a scary sight for someone who is afraid of dogs - and i'm sure the Dog sensed that we were all afraid from the screaming .

I *think* the dog may be a police dog because one of my new neighbors told me that the homeowner is the chief of police in a town a few over from where I live. She also told me not to let any balls or my kids go into their yard - no kididng!

Edited to add - perhaps we will try to meet the homeowners and the dog so he knows our scent. Thanks for the tip. I'll see if I can get the courage up for that one but i'll make sure my dogloving husband is with me to protect the kids.

 

[LindaR]

I'd like to add this........if you don't mind......you obviously have issues with dogs (I understand and respect that fear) but you really need to work on those issues because you will end up passing that on to your kids. Education is the key understanding animals and how to react. You want to teach your kids to not approach or try to pet ANY animal without the owner's permission, regardless of whether it is large or small.

And if you someday want to have a dog of your own, you really DO need to deal with your fear........little dogs have a tendency to be less tolerant of children and their ways.

I hope everything works out for you and you can walk to the park WITHOUT fear.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

LindaR, I guess I didn't explain it properly but my idea about the treats would be with the owner's permission after they met the dog. Whether it would reinforce the behavior or make a "positive association" would be a toss up (we had one professional trainer who swore by it). It doesn't sound like the dog needs a whole lot to reinforce the behavior at this point; it's already set in stone.

We once had a man who worked nextdoor to a place we lived. Every noontime he would share his bag of potato chips over the fence with our then dog in an effort to make friends with him. Caesar would eat the chips, then back off and bark at him again, LOL. Neither my DH nor I had a problem with him doing this, he really liked the dog and wanted to be friends with him (Caesar also had a stomach of lead). It actually came in handy one time when the dog jumped out the second story window and these workers took him back home so he didn't get lost.

I guess my bigger point would be for the OP to try to get to know the dog. That way he would see them "somewhat" as part of his daily life and routine. He will still be protective of his yard. But my vision was to have the dog less aggressive toward her and not scaring the bejeezus out of the children. I agree that most German Shepherds do know the difference between friend and foe (I've had them all my life), but let's face it, there are some who are just plain aggressive. We don't know which type this dog is and really don't care to find out on the way to the playground.

In thinking about this I am reminded of a family on the street I grew up on. They always had a white German Shepherd in their front yard, never leashed, no fence of any type. This dog did the same thing when you walked by. It was scary for those who didn't know the dog, but for those of us who did, it was annoying but not dangerous. The dog would never bite. In fact, in that family, when one dog was getting old, they would actually get another, younger one, so it could learn from the older dog how to do the same thing. Some people like the security a dog like this brings. I guess you have to balance that with safety by society of today's standards.

BTW, I have been bitten 3 times in my life. The first two bites were from two different Shetland Sheepdogs (aka mini collies) - also a "protective" breed; the third was a two years ago by a ****-a-poo.

 

[Jynohn]

I understand how that would have been a scary situation for you, but I'm sure the owners are well within their rights. If the dog is on their property and secured, I don't think any laws have been violated.

I have a Great Dane and we also use and Invisible Fence. In my opinion, they are wonderful. She is kept safe in our yard, and we never have to worry about someone accidentally leaving a gate open or her somehow digging under (or jumping over) the fence. That said, I have a neighbor who SCREAMED at me a few months ago when she was walking her dog past my house and my dog went up to the fence line. My dog is completely harmless, and was not threatening or barking in any way. She just simply walked up to the edge of OUR yard and the woman went ballistic. I was outside at the time, and she started yelling at me and asking why don't I hold onto my dog or bring her inside when other people are walking by. I told her "because she is in HER yard, and not doing anything wrong." Now I can understand that a Great Dane can be intimidating, but she was not growling, barking, or lunging at anyone and I didn't appreciate someone yelling at me for having my own dog in my own yard.

Not saying yours is the same situation, as clearly you DID feel threatened by the German Shepherd, but just pointing out that there's probably not much you can do since he was on private property and he was contained. If you don't feel safe, I would suggest steering clear of that house from now on, or better yetas others have suggested, try talking to the neighbors to see if you can "meet" the dog. He may actually be very friendly once you get to know him.

 

[kbkids]

My husband growing up had an Alaskan Malamute in his neighborhood who would on occasion break free from the invisible fence if he really had his mind set on something, like chasing a rabbit. He would just run full speed ahead and barrel through the shock. I think there was a shock for several feet, but once through it, no more shock. Since he was going so fast and was focused on something, he didn't care about the pain. What's worse, once he was done with his fun little escapade, he was deterred from going back home because of the shock he would receive crossing back into his yard.

My friend's dog does this frequently. It's a black lab - a HUGE black lab. I have a lab, but that dog still makes me a little nervous when he comes running up to me. He's sweet as can be, but he looks like a big black bear coming at you. He's well over 100 pounds.

Anyway, they live pretty far out, so there aren't any neighbors close by, but they do have an invisible fence to keep the dog confined closer to the house. But, just like you said, he'll take off after something and sit there and whimper because he can't get back in.

 

[RC Fan]

I'd like to add this........if you don't mind......you obviously have issues with dogs (I understand and respect that fear) but you really need to work on those issues because you will end up passing that on to your kids. Education is the key understanding animals and how to react. You want to teach your kids to not approach or try to pet ANY animal without the owner's permission, regardless of whether it is large or small.

And if you someday want to have a dog of your own, you really DO need to deal with your fear........little dogs have a tendency to be less tolerant of children and their ways.

I hope everything works out for you and you can walk to the park WITHOUT fear.

ITA!

It does sound like the electric fence is working properly.

I am willing to bet you would be afraid to walk by that house even if the owner had a normal 6 ft fence.

 

[ktulu]

That pup is just warning you to keep off his property. I was bit by a small dog as a child, but it never bothered me. I do think that small dogs are too yappy, plus nothing keeps the door to door salesmen's spiel shorter than me standing there holding the collar of my barking german shepherd "I'm not interested, now you better go before I lose my grip..."

 

[NMAmy]

I *think* the dog may be a police dog because one of my new neighbors told me that the homeowner is the chief of police in a town a few over from where I live. She also told me not to let any balls or my kids go into their yard - no kididng!

My ex is a K9 cop. In the area we lived, K9's had to be locked in an enclosed kennel when they weren't working and Beware of Dog signs had to be posted all over our property for insurance reasons. He was actually our most mellow dog at home (we had a german shepherd/malanois mix as a family pet and a yappy little cocker mix). When dd and I first saw him do a demo with a guy in a bite suit--we were appalled that our lovey dovey dog could be so darn mean.

I don't blame you for being nervous. It can be scarey to see a big dog coming at you like that. I'd talk to the owners and also to Animal Control to explain the situation.