Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Please remember as I confess, I live on a ranch where pets and livestock MUST get along.  I only did in once in her life and have never had to do it again.  I love my animals and kindness is my best attribute.

Peggy

Great poem.  Sorry you young ones, I am already there but still a  ways to go.  Its not my fault.  I look at Niki and her muzzle is pretty grey, I noticed it getting that way a few years ago.  What breaks my heart is that I just noticed the grey starting to form around her eyes.  Its not her fault.  She went on her first speedboard ride yesterday and loved something new to do.  I learned to drive it while pulling a skier. What fun.  Even saw our first bald eagle with its mate.  So life is still good. 

By the way I have had several people say they could not see my avatar only a red X, can anybody else see it.  Thanks.  Peggy

An awesome idea if somebody here could find the correct route to those who have the knowledge in this area.  I have the time and desire to help, so count me in.  Peggy

YOU are very talented, wonderful detail work.  Keep it up, I say you will go far 

Marit, I wonder why you are getting a red x/ On my ' puter the avatar is there but once in awhile I will get a red x on someone else's photo also. Frustrating.  Maybe Jamie knows.

I will send them some money and I am VERY against sending money unless I really feel strongly about something and this I feel strongly about.  We are getting buried in laws and so many people do not see it coming.  I am like you Gypsy, I do not trust anybody but I am going to stick my neck out on this one.  I am off to post my money and put it where my mouth is.

Peggy

Boy, you are all right.  Every dog and every situation is different.  It can be very frutstrating at times, but you have to do what needs to be done to keep everyone safe.

 My question is (since I have no experience with an invisible fence) can't deer, bears and elephants  go through a fence where a dog is contained? How do they react when that happens?  Do they just chase them out and stay behind in their area? Can it sometimes create a hazard for the dog.   In developments that do not allow fencing of any kind, do all the dogs neatly stay in their designated fenced areas?  I assume some developments backyard areas are all open and you can see for miles. I have noticed that on the East Coast and the MidWest.   Here in California we all have fenced- in areas but in some of the newer developments, the houses are close together, are two story and have tiny, tiny fenced in areas.

My own expience with dog fences are hard-learned lessons.  I have a large fenced in area (fencing material is post and rail with hog-wire stretched tightly on fence).  Well one of my dogs started digging under and jumping over the fence.  I needed to put a hotwire on it so I got out an old horse wire charger and strung on along the fence line.  Pretty soon I was finding dead birds on the property which I hated because I love blue jays and finches.  Figured it out and went down to purchase a dog-sized charger and it worked fine.  I needed even then to position the wire away from the fence so birds could not put one claw on the wire and the other on the fence to create a bad situation.  After awhile, I did not even need to use it, but if I get a new pup, I will charge it again. . We are getting more and more traffic out here and we must be safe.  Lilke I say, every situation is different.

Peggy

I believe the best way to do it is to make the dog WANT to come to you.  You know your dog, you know what he likes best and dislikes.  You know what faces and sounds you make that he likes better than other faces and sounds you make.
I personally do not use treats for such a basic command.  It is a command that shows he is your dog and will love to be by your side when he is needed.  I like to use tremendous personal praises that are between you and your dog that nobody else knows.  The leash thing sounds like it would work as long as you tie it in with your own personal touch. 

 I once trained three of my dogs to walk horizontally by my side without a leash, then stop, sit, and again walk step,step,step then stop again and sit as soon as I stopped.  I got them to do it without a verbal command.  They just loved it and it became a great game with all of them including me - they even seemed to compete with each other as who could sit the fastest when I stopped suddenly.  I know you can develop your own method. 

Peggy

I knew it, I knew it.  Now no more posting for me about all of the stupid laws we have.   I must get off the soap box and walk away in defeat.  Oh well, I will walk down that road and Niki will be right by my side, she still loves me even if nobody else does.