I’ve received an email posing a question to which I cannot respond, as I’ve no experience of invisible fencing.
The enquirer has used invisible fencing with success with previous dogs, he used a professional dog trainer for the training. He has neighbours who did their own training.
He is considering adopting a podenco, so 2 questions.
A puppy or an adult?
Would it be suitable for invisible fencing?
Do any of my readers have experience of podencos and invisible fencing? If so, what result and how was the dog trained, how old was it etc.
Comments
6 responses to “Podencos and invisible fencing?”
I posted the question on my 2 facebook podenco pages – Podenco Post and Help the Podencos – and the responses were a resounding NO, with which I totally agree. Also, this type of fencing is illegal in Scandinavia and the UK, maybe other countries too? My own feeling is that to use such a system with a rescued podenco, which could already have been traumatised before rescue, could set it back seriously. And if it managed to escape, it probably wouldn’t return!
Re: Invisible fencing. One of my son’s did try this ( believe this is the same type of thing ) it involves the dog /puppy wearing a a collar with an electrode type thing on the inside of the collar that connects wirelessly to something either stakes or a wire on the outskirts of the garden ( I do apologise for being a bit vague but it was a long time ago ) it was quite new and supposed to be painless, apparently it gives varying degrees of shock to the poor dog, but he was told it ” sent a mild message, but he only used it once as it terrified his dog so much that dog ( and my son ) were upset for days after. I beive it is now banned in the UK thank heavens. So do check your info on the product you are buying as if it is the same it is very detrimental to any sensitive animal
Here is another comment received by email from a reader.
I had invisible fencing. Problem is you have a highly sensitive dog, with a drive. My girl podenco stays in a 5 ft. Fence. We have done lots of obedience training, but I do not take my eyes off her. If I had it to do over, I would have spent money putting in a 6ft. Fence. There is no way any Podenco being raised from even a puppy would mind an invisble fence; and for that matter it is a shock being delivered to the dog. I have had 7 dogs,( that passed) I now have 4 Galgos, 1 greyhound, 1 maneto. One podenco. The invisible fence was a problem with that first 7 group of dogs. My real 5 ft. Fence is a barrier that I babysit. My one galgo can clear it, although never challenges it. My podenco hops, as she runs, and as she is near 5 yrs. old I have watched her interest in small critters, and anything that moves…..there is such a keen
Disconnect when they see something; and they have excellent vision. All dogs being different personality, I would still be very , very leary of invisible fence! These dogs need a barrier, and lots if obedience. I hate to say it but I could not believe it myself; they need lots if recall work, and the higher fence is best.
Received by email from another reader. Invisible fencing is not a good idea, especially for sight hound breeds. here’s a link to article from the Whole Dog Journal in which they strongly discourage use of electric fencing: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/19_9/features/Why-We-Dont-Recommend-Shock-Collars_21518-1.html?ET=wholedogjournal:e326929:2600150a:&st=email&s=p_TOTW012919 (NB The article will post on my blog on 1st February)
plus, that approach uses punishment instead of rewards.
so please, please do NOT adopt to someone who will use an electric fence. just imagine dogs you’ve adopted out having to wear electric collars and getting shocked.
i have 2 podencos and would never, ever try to use an electric fence.
I have two Podengo’s and we have great success with the invisible fence. I hate the idea of them getting shocked but it only happened on their first training day. They know where they can go and where they can’t. We still get deer coming into the yard for apples since there’s no fence blocking them out so it’s a win win.
I think if i had installed a real fence I’d be always worried about them jumping it or digging under. With the fence I know they dont’ want to go past their boundary. I was skeptical but am glad we made the decision.
Thank you Marion, it is really interesting to read about the experience of using invisible fencing by someone who does, and with podencos. Out of all the places I posed the question, you are the only person with positive experience. Always good to get another point of you. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.