Does Your Sheltie Chase Cars?
Stop Your Dog From Chasing Cars WIth An Electronic Pet Fence
Some Shelties love to chase almost anything! An electronic pet containment system can stop your dog from chasing cars, providing freedom for both dog and owner!
Are you wondering how to stop your dog from chasing cars? If, despite your best efforts, your dog chases cars, joggers, bikes or anything else that goes by your yard, you may have wondered about an electric pet containment system. Do they work? Are they good for Shelties and other herding dogs? Are they humane? Will my dog feel trapped?
Shetland sheepdogs, along with several other breeds of working and herding dogs, love to chase almost anything...it's what they do! Today's Shelties, however, don't reside primarily in the Shetland Islands where the sheep are readily available to herd for exercise and purpose. Because of their ideal natures and medim size, most live in cities and suburbs, as well as rural locations. Instead of sheep there are plenty of joggers and bikers, neighborhood kids, and the most dangerous of all...cars...that may appear to your Sheltie as something that needs rounding up!
It's one way to stop your dog from chasing cars, and it can provide safety and freedom for both your dog, and a lot of peace of mind for you.If you find your dog has an ongoing penchant for chasing that causes you a great deal of alarm, your neighbors to be annoyed, and your dog to be constantly reprimanded, an electronic fence system may be a good solution for both of you.
An electronic system is fairly straightforward. An antenna wire is installed around the portion of your property where you want your pet to be contained. It can be put almost anywhere, no matter how small or large your property may be, regardless of terrain or other obstacles. A transmitter is attached to a special collar that your dog wears, and can create a mild shock when it comes within a specifited distance of the wires. Training is fairly simple and it goes something like this:
- Training begins with flags that are placed along the area where the fence is, giving the dog a visual cue.
- The next step is to teach your dog to avoid the flags while on a leash...as you approach the flag the transmitter will make an audible beep, and you alert your dog to retreat from it.
- As soon as you feel he's ready, you can allow him to approach it on his own. If he gets within the perimeter which you have given him, he will hear the electronic warning tone. If he continues past that point, he or she will receive a mild shock correction.
Shelties - and most other dogs for that matter - rarely receive more than one or two corrections before avoiding it entirely. They learn quite quickly exactly what their safe boundaries are, and become expert at running and playing right up to the very spot where the tone is set to go off. The most popular brand, Invisible Fence, provides not only installation, but consultation and training for owners interested in pet containment. Even the ASPCA endorses the use of this pet fence, which can also be used for cats!There are also dog fence systems that can be purchased and installed by the owners themselves.
The advantages of this type of pet fence are many! Having the freedom to run and play without constant correction or fearful reprimands from their owners can bring about a remarkable change in some dogs. They may relax and be completely comfortable, safe and at ease in their surroundings. Owners no longer have to worry about their pets running in the road, getting lost, or being hit by a car. Neighbors feel comfortable walking or riding by when they know they won't be approached by your dog, no matter how friendly and loving he or she may be!
