Tim,
I live in a suburb of New York City that has very little space for running and we have very strict leash laws. Because of this, our dog run parks are very popular. I don't believe in the parks simply because when you subject your dog to aggression from other dogs you have immediatly taken yourself out of the pack leader role with your dog (if you had it to start).The pack leader protects his pack from aggression. Getting back to my point, unneutered males are not allowed to use our dog parks, there is a reason for this. I have personally witnessed peaceful neutered dog activity until an unneutered dog comes in, all hell breaks loose. As far as the health issue is concerned, I can only go with the pro recommendations of every vet I have spoken to about the neutering issue.
Jerry

Jerry there have been some great conversations on this board about the subject. To debate it again is a little redundant.
Michael I would do a search and read some of the conversations about this subject.

Everytime I read that neutering your dog will create this wonderful and peaceful animal makes me think of the movie The Ice Pirates. If you havent seen it, I cant say I recommend it.

That made me chuckle when I read that they have dog parks but dont allow unaltered dogs into the park. I am sure the same person thought up both great ideas, they deserve a sign!

Chad,
Not a debate at all, just a personal observation.
Jerry <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

One of my old neighbors had an invisible/inground fence. Within the first week one of the dogs bolted and never came back. A few months later he forgot to change the battery on the collar and the dog figured out it could wander from the yard. If I had not been working in the yard I am sure he would have been gone through the woods. I tied him off to the garage. Though I think my neighbor was hoping he would have run off.
The other side of the invisible fence is that other animals and children can get into your yard. Something ugly could happen when your not around.

E-fences are great. You have to get a quality one and do the training and proofing. They aren`t designed to just leave your dog out all day unattended. Think of it as boundary training with an e-collar and a perfectly timed correction.

I know there's been a lot of discussion of the underground fences and won't rehash it all (although I wouldn't even consider one).

With multiple dogs there is something special you need to consider using the fence.

When one dog is corrected by the fence, and the other dog is close, the "zapped" dog will often go after the other dog. I've seen this happen even with dogs that were correctly and individually trained to the fence.

If the dogs keep moving in and out of the stimulation area during the fight, it will just escalate.

These fences are not reliable at keeping your dog in the yard. Most dogs can find incentives that will make them take the shock to get out. They sure don't offer any protection your dogs from things that come in the yard (or kids that wander into your yard).

If a dog was correctly trained to the fence, he should not be getting "zapped." He should know where his boundary is and not go far enough to receive the 'shock'. The only time the dog should receive a 'shock' is during training. Most systems' collars have a warning tone or vibration as the dog enters the "correction zone", and the dog only gets 'shocked' if he continues moving forward after receiving the warning tone or vibration of the collar. If he stops or turns around and goes back into the "safe zone", then he does not get 'shocked.'

I had an invisible fence for 2 years, and my dog was out there 24/7 (not my choice, but when you live in your parents' home you follow their rules) and not once ever left the yard unless I took her out of the yard. Not even when she was chasing the squirrels or playing with a stray that just happened through did she ever cross that boundary or even get close enough to be 'shocked' once training was over. Now, all I have to do to teach her a boundary is put up some flags for a week or so and she knows to stay inside the flags -- even when there is no fence in place. That's actually what I've done at our new house across the front where there is no physical fence and in the back where the break in the fence is. Even there, she hasn't once left the yard, even when chasing the rabbits that are always out there when I let her out to go potty.


Having said that, are invisible fences for every dog? No. Some dogs, like hounds, should not be off-leash at any time unless they are in a securely fenced area. Most "average family pets" do poorly with invisible fence because they are either not trained at all, are not properly trained to the invisible fence, or a combination of both. Also, as has been mentioned, they do not keep out vehicles, other animals, or people. If you are considering an invisible fence system, first work with a trainer to get your dog at least some basic obedience. Then, make sure you get a quality system (Not RadioFence or PetSafe) and make sure it is installed correctly. If you do the training yourself, follow the instructions included with the system and do not try to skip ahead or move too fast. Leave the flags up for at least as long as the system instructions recommend. The longer they are left up, the longer the dog has to make a mental map of the "safe area". When I initially trained my dog, I left all my flags up for a month, then removed every other one, then two weeks later removed every other one, then two weeks later took them all up. Lastly, be prepared to have to 'refresh' the dog's memory every so often. Usually simply putting up the flags again for a week is sufficient, but for some dogs, you may have to walk back through the 'training' once or twice. I didn't have to do this with my dog, but some dogs are brighter than others.


Also, before getting an invisible fence system, do some price shopping. It may be cheaper to do a real fence. Physical barriers are always best.

I am new to this web. I recently lost my best dog friend. I had to put him down at 9 years old. He had liver damage. I, like all of you, loved him much. We traveled everywhere together. He was half shepherd and half rottweiler. Down from Alaska. His parents were good dogs and good looking dogs. He had an aggressive side to him. I talked to him. I taught him everything myself. He listened. I was approached by many people asking what his breeding was. I would really like to have another half/half. Does anyone know why I can't find this combination already being breed. Does anyone know where I can find a puppy of this breed. Maybe you know something I don't about this breed. Maybe I have to buy a female G. Shepherd and have her breed. I'd appreciate any advice on this subject Thnx Kitty
is

Hi Kitty, if you are going to get a mix breed, you ought to go to the animal rescues and shelters. no new dog is ever going to be like the one you lost. There's going to be a lot of large dogs there I'm sure. I believe the large breeds are a little harder to place. I know, the animal rescue I went to said Maggie was going to be a medium size dog. She turned into a 90 lb GSD. just google it and your dog will be out there somewhere.

Kitty, Call GSD and Rott rescue in your area and be patient. They do show up in shelters, and if you breed a litter I can almost guarantee you that all the pups you don't keep will be killed, some more humanely than others. This mix attracts the wrong type of people most of the time.