ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
Maybe we should mention this fact to legislatures that think breeders are causing the "overpopulation" problem. There should be some incentive for rental companies to allow pets.
NO fence discussion
- Thread starter SheltieChe
- Start date
Maybe we should mention this fact to legislatures that think breeders are causing the "overpopulation" problem. There should be some incentive for rental companies to allow pets.
KarenCurtis
Forums Sage
I am so sorry to hear that
I couldn't for the life of me figure out what a flexi was... but now I finally get it; i hate those things. I'm anal and need a leash I can wrap around my arm a few times!
I think having a fence is optimal, but shouldn't be required. It's not the fix-all. My mom has over an acre that is completely fenced in; her neighbors' dog (a st bernard mix) decided he wanted to kill my mom's new sheltie pup last year and kept getting under the fence and coming into the yard.
They were never able to leave the poor thing out alone or unsupervised ever due to this mongrel. Poor thing ended up being a house dog when he had such a beautiful yard to run and play in. Parent's had to take neighbors to court and all... didn't make up for the fact that the dog was afraid to be in the yard after being attacked twice by this big beast.
Sad situation, caused hard feelings with the humans and made the poor dog scared and neurotic to even go out to go potty WITH a person.
I contacted our rescue here in NJ last year about a pair of shelties (mother/daughter) who required a 6 ft fence. I assume they were jumpers or runners, but inquired about the requirement and more info. I also inquired if they had a contractor they worked with or who would give discounts to people who adopted from them... I never heard back from them. So friggin sad; I got an initial, 'I'll refer you to the foster mom email', but nothing else.
These 2 dogs were still available 6 months later the last I looked at the website. So sad; i could have been a good mommy to them.
Fences are very expensive if you have a big yard; for those who say if you can afford to have a dog, you can afford a fence - this is not so. Not everyone has 10,000 laying around.
I think the rescues should try to solicit fencing companies that would work with them to help people put up affordable fences so more shelties could be adopted!
I think having a fence is optimal, but shouldn't be required. It's not the fix-all. My mom has over an acre that is completely fenced in; her neighbors' dog (a st bernard mix) decided he wanted to kill my mom's new sheltie pup last year and kept getting under the fence and coming into the yard.
They were never able to leave the poor thing out alone or unsupervised ever due to this mongrel. Poor thing ended up being a house dog when he had such a beautiful yard to run and play in. Parent's had to take neighbors to court and all... didn't make up for the fact that the dog was afraid to be in the yard after being attacked twice by this big beast.
Sad situation, caused hard feelings with the humans and made the poor dog scared and neurotic to even go out to go potty WITH a person.
I contacted our rescue here in NJ last year about a pair of shelties (mother/daughter) who required a 6 ft fence. I assume they were jumpers or runners, but inquired about the requirement and more info. I also inquired if they had a contractor they worked with or who would give discounts to people who adopted from them... I never heard back from them. So friggin sad; I got an initial, 'I'll refer you to the foster mom email', but nothing else.
These 2 dogs were still available 6 months later the last I looked at the website. So sad; i could have been a good mommy to them.
Fences are very expensive if you have a big yard; for those who say if you can afford to have a dog, you can afford a fence - this is not so. Not everyone has 10,000 laying around.
I think the rescues should try to solicit fencing companies that would work with them to help people put up affordable fences so more shelties could be adopted!
I’m fortunate to be able to have a fenced in yard for my girls but, this fencing ‘requirement’ is just something I cannot quite understand. Some rescues take this hard line, and apply these requirements across the board, for all the dogs and all the potential adopters. Many, many rescue shelties can live in a home without a fenced yard as long as they are walked and exercised regularly on leash or in a safe area.
There are different levels of rescues that must be considered and I know that many shelters (and hope many more) will take that into consideration. Each dog is different and that should be considered and evaluated. All of my shelties over the years have been rescues and each one different.
1. The older senior dog that settles in as opposed to running. Sleep, eat… and hugs.
2. The dog that was surrendered (for what ever reason) but has lived in a home and knows how to go in and out to potty on leash.
3. And then the breeder or abused surrenders that will bolt in an instant and even pull out of a collar and leash. (I use only shoulder harnesses)
I’ve had all of the above and for that reason I have a fenced yard. If I had no fence, then my adoptions would not involve any potential flight risks. You have to know, and if the shelter is doing its job, what type of dog is being adopted out. Many shelters foster and they learn the traits of their dogs before they’re even listed for adoption. Sometimes the shelter may know that a particular rescue sheltie is an extreme flight risk or has other issues and may be better suited to fenced environment. But fences mandatory for rescue….NO. Case by case depending on the dog and not the potential adopter.
All that said, this fencing issue has really troubled me over the past two days. Thursday as I left work I witnessed a beautiful husky get hit and killed on the road. I was sick. The owner was right there and the husky off leash. It happened so fast. I’m sure the owner has been in her front yard a hundred times with her husky off leash. Maybe he saw something to chase or just felt like running fast… I don’t know, but the end result was the same. ‘Trust’ can be a bitter pill. You may think ‘it could never happen’ but just think what you could lose if it does. Just be safe.
There are different levels of rescues that must be considered and I know that many shelters (and hope many more) will take that into consideration. Each dog is different and that should be considered and evaluated. All of my shelties over the years have been rescues and each one different.
1. The older senior dog that settles in as opposed to running. Sleep, eat… and hugs.
2. The dog that was surrendered (for what ever reason) but has lived in a home and knows how to go in and out to potty on leash.
3. And then the breeder or abused surrenders that will bolt in an instant and even pull out of a collar and leash. (I use only shoulder harnesses)
I’ve had all of the above and for that reason I have a fenced yard. If I had no fence, then my adoptions would not involve any potential flight risks. You have to know, and if the shelter is doing its job, what type of dog is being adopted out. Many shelters foster and they learn the traits of their dogs before they’re even listed for adoption. Sometimes the shelter may know that a particular rescue sheltie is an extreme flight risk or has other issues and may be better suited to fenced environment. But fences mandatory for rescue….NO. Case by case depending on the dog and not the potential adopter.
All that said, this fencing issue has really troubled me over the past two days. Thursday as I left work I witnessed a beautiful husky get hit and killed on the road. I was sick. The owner was right there and the husky off leash. It happened so fast. I’m sure the owner has been in her front yard a hundred times with her husky off leash. Maybe he saw something to chase or just felt like running fast… I don’t know, but the end result was the same. ‘Trust’ can be a bitter pill. You may think ‘it could never happen’ but just think what you could lose if it does. Just be safe.
I took the chance, just once, selling a puppy to a lovely lady that did not have a fenced yard. When the puppy was 8 months old it spotted a chipmunk as she was taking him out to the car. Her road was a very quiet one in the country but the day Marty saw the chipmunk and gave chase was his last. He died right in front of her. It broke both of our hearts.
I have sold to one couple that lived in a condo. They had everything in place and was able to show me that they had permission to house a small dog and that they had done their homework. It went really well but they realized that Trystan was happiest when he went to his "gramma's" house because he could run freely in the back yard. They ended up buying a house and putting up a fence. I have a strong preference from those that have a fenced yard or enclosure and have no children living with them under the age of 8. That's not to say that I wouldn't make an exception if the people were exceptional but I am pretty hard to convince. We can interview people to the nth degree but in the end we have to believe that our puppy clients are honest, integral and are going to be as careful with the life we place in their hands as we ourselves would be. A rescued dog has already had a bad start or a major change in it's life that makes it a probable flight risk. I totally understand why rescues are adamant about fences or fenced enclosures. They want to protect the dog to the best of their ability. They are to be commended for being willing to keep these dogs until their definition of a "suitable" home is found.
I have sold to one couple that lived in a condo. They had everything in place and was able to show me that they had permission to house a small dog and that they had done their homework. It went really well but they realized that Trystan was happiest when he went to his "gramma's" house because he could run freely in the back yard. They ended up buying a house and putting up a fence. I have a strong preference from those that have a fenced yard or enclosure and have no children living with them under the age of 8. That's not to say that I wouldn't make an exception if the people were exceptional but I am pretty hard to convince. We can interview people to the nth degree but in the end we have to believe that our puppy clients are honest, integral and are going to be as careful with the life we place in their hands as we ourselves would be. A rescued dog has already had a bad start or a major change in it's life that makes it a probable flight risk. I totally understand why rescues are adamant about fences or fenced enclosures. They want to protect the dog to the best of their ability. They are to be commended for being willing to keep these dogs until their definition of a "suitable" home is found.
SheltieGuy
Forums Enthusiast
old thread..i know... but didnt want to start a new one
I too had a fence issue. When I brought Snickers home. ( he was staying with a relative and they had a huge safe yard.) But I wanted him home with me. I have lotsof traffic so when he came home there was no more running free in my big yard,,no more ball outside.I couldnt tie him to a long lead. I tried it once and he didnt get the concept and he nearly hung himself.(so that was the end of that.) So I inquired about fencing in at least some of my yard. 4 foot chainlink with cement posts. approx:100 linear feet = $1,700!!!!! Couldnt afford it!! Upon days of searching I found the perfect fence.It is actually a complete dog fence kit (fence, posts, ties,and ground stakes were an extra $25. Snickers is not a digger nor a jumper. So I opted for a 3 foot fence kit. easy to install (DIY in 2 hours.. well 2 people are needed)I fenced in my entire yard. approx 250 feet and it cost me around $300.00. Best thing I have ever done for both of us. He can now pee/poo/play/run free and safe. First time I let him out he did 4 happy laps then jumped into my arms... that was all the thanks i needed.
You can get the kit in 3,4,5,6 feet (extras include ground stakes and or anti-dig mesh. Now these fences arent fort knox. But if your dog, like Snickers, doesnt constanly try to escape and just needs a physical barrier... these fences are perfect. It is holding up great with lots of rain and Im sure snow wont be an issue. If you need/want a fence and thought you couldnt afford it... i urge you to look at the following website.I have browsed the net extensively and I found this option to be good price and good quality. (as long as you dont have a dog that will bash into it all the time. it is coated chicken wire or you could opt for a heavier duty one. For my situation it was a dream come true and they arent ugly. It turned my yard from a source of fear to a welcoming, playful area for us both. Like I said,,, if you are in need of a fence for you furfamily and cannot afford the cadillac fencing,,this is right up our alley.
http://www.topdogfences.com/barrier_fences/products/index.htm
(all i needed was the basic dog fence kit) The only negative with the basic is. a gate does not come with it... there are instructions to make one out of the stuff that came with the kit but that looked kinda shady,,, so my neighbor sold me a gate for 5 bucks to complete the enclosure. I believe the higher quality one comes with a gate.
I too had a fence issue. When I brought Snickers home. ( he was staying with a relative and they had a huge safe yard.) But I wanted him home with me. I have lotsof traffic so when he came home there was no more running free in my big yard,,no more ball outside.I couldnt tie him to a long lead. I tried it once and he didnt get the concept and he nearly hung himself.(so that was the end of that.) So I inquired about fencing in at least some of my yard. 4 foot chainlink with cement posts. approx:100 linear feet = $1,700!!!!! Couldnt afford it!! Upon days of searching I found the perfect fence.It is actually a complete dog fence kit (fence, posts, ties,and ground stakes were an extra $25. Snickers is not a digger nor a jumper. So I opted for a 3 foot fence kit. easy to install (DIY in 2 hours.. well 2 people are needed)I fenced in my entire yard. approx 250 feet and it cost me around $300.00. Best thing I have ever done for both of us. He can now pee/poo/play/run free and safe. First time I let him out he did 4 happy laps then jumped into my arms... that was all the thanks i needed.
You can get the kit in 3,4,5,6 feet (extras include ground stakes and or anti-dig mesh. Now these fences arent fort knox. But if your dog, like Snickers, doesnt constanly try to escape and just needs a physical barrier... these fences are perfect. It is holding up great with lots of rain and Im sure snow wont be an issue. If you need/want a fence and thought you couldnt afford it... i urge you to look at the following website.I have browsed the net extensively and I found this option to be good price and good quality. (as long as you dont have a dog that will bash into it all the time. it is coated chicken wire or you could opt for a heavier duty one. For my situation it was a dream come true and they arent ugly. It turned my yard from a source of fear to a welcoming, playful area for us both. Like I said,,, if you are in need of a fence for you furfamily and cannot afford the cadillac fencing,,this is right up our alley.
http://www.topdogfences.com/barrier_fences/products/index.htm
(all i needed was the basic dog fence kit) The only negative with the basic is. a gate does not come with it... there are instructions to make one out of the stuff that came with the kit but that looked kinda shady,,, so my neighbor sold me a gate for 5 bucks to complete the enclosure. I believe the higher quality one comes with a gate.
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Reviewing requirements on a couple rescue websites, I saw at least one, that I believe wouldn't even allow that type of fence.
In this case, a fenced yard most likely wouldn't have helped. The vast majority of the fenced yards I see are the back yard while the car is parked elsewhere.
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You're right of course. A fenced enclosure wouldn't have saved Marty as this woman obviously thought that she could take him out to the car without a lead on him. It was a wake up call to me and to her. She thought that since he had been so good all along that she could take the chance of moving him unrestrictedly but a terrier is an instinctive being and his instinct killed him. Rescued dogs are less likely to run to their caretaker if frightened but instead are more likely to take flight. I will always wonder if I had insisted that she build a fence and been more forceful in explaining why she couldn't rely on a recall in the face of instinct if Marty might have had a longer life. It is a cross I will always bear as I was responsible for the placement of him.
SheltieGuy
Forums Enthusiast
Reviewing requirements on a couple rescue websites, I saw at least one, that I believe wouldn't even allow that type of fence.
Good to know my fenced in yard still isnt good enough.
It was the best I could do.Its frustrating to think that a rescue may still refuse me if Snickers wants a playmate.
Snickers listens very well and is afraid to be too far away from me.. but like others have said.. it only takes one lapse of judgement for something bad to happen.
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