They "try" by actually putting the fence collars on their dogs once in awhile

I know after talking to a very experienced trainer that it isn't our fault that our dogs are protective and that's not going to change. He said the same things you did.

You'd think since his young kids are usually the only ones outside when the incidents have occured and luckily I'm always listening for any barking that he might consider his/their children's safety. The mom stays at home from what I can tell.

I've been out there trying to get his two big dogs out of MY yard with his 10 or 12 year old trying to get his dogs to come home. I have never let my kids get anywhere near this stuff, but his are the only ones around sometimes.

Sorry, I know that probably just riled you up some more, Connie. I am going to put up a small fenced area if nothing else off the back of the house-I just want to know why my dogs have to suffer.........................

 Quote: lisa simms

They "try" by actually putting the fence collars on their dogs once in awhile .... I know after talking to a very experienced trainer that it isn't our fault that our dogs are protective and that's not going to change. He said the same things you did.

Well, territorial and protective are a little different, but IMO being territorial of the dog's own house and yard when the "other" dogs are not allowed and approved by the pack leader (you) is not unexpected or inappropriate. And it wouldn't matter in the least if it WAS inappropriate; it's your property, and the other dogs are being allowed to trespass.

 Quote: lisa simms

I know that probably just riled you up some more .... I am going to put up a small fenced area if nothing else off the back of the house-I just want to know why my dogs have to suffer.........................

I'll say it does! But as for my own dogs suffering, I'd come down on the side of a fenced area rather than the chances of being attacked or worse.

Are there leash laws where you live? Gosh, I would be all over this. This is so not OK!

I hate those invisible fence systems for a number of reasons.

#1 they don't contain a dog that doesn't want to be contained.
#2 they don't keep dogs OUT of your yard
#3 they give people a false sense of security

My parents have one for their corgi, and they are surrounded by water on 2 sides, a vacant house on one and the street. They don't have much of an issue with loose dogs where they live but they still watch the dog the entire time he's outside.

If I lived somewhere that my dogs were being threatened by neighbor dogs, you can bet I would only let them outside when I was with them and I would put up some type of physical fence, even if it was only a smaller paddock area or kennel run. Dogs that spend their life behind those invisible fences barking at things have so much pent up frustration that when they do get out, it usually ends badly for someone.

Michael, be aware that Turbo may now have issues with other dogs even though he wasn't physically injured. An attack such as what you experienced is often the catalyst for becoming dog aggressive.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

Michael, be aware that Turbo may now have issues with other dogs even though he wasn't physically injured. An attack such as what you experienced is often the catalyst for becoming dog aggressive.

He showed no worse for wear on walks yesterday. We always have dogs that come to the edge of their yards and bark. He'll look, but never react. I think we dodged that bullet.

Our other neighbors have a nice lab that he is around alot. He was still neutral to her, too.

it sometimes doesn't surface right away, IME. I had a dog attacked and she "seemed" fine for a period of time and then became more and more uneasy around dogs. Maybe kind of like doggie PTSD. ?

Same thing happened to me. (As Cindy).

The good news is, you can be pro-active about this and really re-inforce good behaviour for ignoring other dogs.

 Quote: cindy easton rhodes

it sometimes doesn't surface right away, IME. I had a dog attacked and she "seemed" fine for a period of time and then became more and more uneasy around dogs. Maybe kind of like doggie PTSD. ?

 Quote: Angela Burrell

Same thing happened to me. (As Cindy).

The good news is, you can be pro-active about this and really re-inforce good behaviour for ignoring other dogs.

Cool. I'll keep an eye out for any changes.

Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, there are leash laws. We have just been diligent about letting our dogs out when we are out which is often and if left outside it is only if I'm unloading groceries, or in for a short time. It's not worth it any more for me to leave them out, even though they don't leave the yard. My five year old is always outside playing and I teach, so I am home all summer and home early in the day. We are always the ones outside when things have gone bad and end up trying to corral those dogs out of our yard.

So, the issue of our dogs being out loose without us is not the problem. The problem is they have two big dogs that I don't want to approach, and I usually take mine inside rather than try to touch those ABD.

The town "dog catcher" doesn't do anything when we call, which is often. We try to walk every day now and there is a house that has dogs that are loose often and again, the small (7 & 9) year olds are the ones outside supervising the dogs. A neighbor of THAT house came over to get the dogs away from us while we were trying to walk. TOO many stupid people around here.

What get's me is that we've invested so much to be responsible dogs owners and yet people want to say we have the "bad" dogs.

I hope Turbo is okay and I didn't mean to hijack, but just the other day it happened again while my husband was outside and I just finally had to vent. We will be putting up a fence SOON!

We also have a couple acres 2.5. we've fenced off the side of the garage and accross the side drive with chain link, a large gate and the rest with larger wire "horse fence". About 1 acre. It looks good in the front and the back where it's wooded is easier to install yourself just put the metal posts in tie in the wire fencing and shazaam fenced in yard. it works for us as we have dogs who can't fit through the squares in the horse fence. Also way more economical. *Note my dogs are never left out alone for longer that 15-20 minutes I'm sure if I left them unattended all day they'd get bored and somehow make an escape.

Yes, and that's why we walk them, throw the chuck it and hang outside as much as possible with them. We know they are exercised and not bored. They are also calmer inside the house when they've had physical stimulation and obedience for mental stimulation.

I imagine my neighbors dogs are very bored and half the time they come over here is because we are out doing something that looks "fun".

I want to put up a split rail/3 rail type of fence around the perimeter and then attach chicken wire to it. Then there will only be a small portion for anything to get in along the driveway. No woods around here, unfortunately. I think it will serve the purpose and not look too bad.

It sounds like you've worked out a nice large space for your dogs!