Puppy & electric fencing

Last question today, I promise!

This one doesn't seem to be covered in any of the puppy books...

We have chickens in the field/garden. Having lost one to the fox we now have electric poultry fencing enclosing them.

Monty is very interested in the chicks and we've met them when he was very young and in my arms. He's bigger now at nearly 13 weeks.

When we go out on "patrol" me and Monty walk past them, close to the fencing, but I always keep him on the lead for that part. Then for the remainder he's off-lead.

On occasion! Like today when I forgot to shut a gate, he has managed to get out to the chicks and circled the fencing. I quickly shut off the power just in time for him to launch himself at it, trying to get through the hash and tangling himself up nicely!

I guess there are there two schools of thought:
1. At some point he's going to get electrocuted (it's only a small zap - our three cats have all experienced it and whilst they didn't like it, it did no damage), so I should just let it happen and he will learn to keep away.
2. I train him somehow to stay away, which would be a lot harder for me, but would save my little boy getting a nasty zap which I'd obviously prefer.

How would you deal with this?

Thanks

James

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Personally, I'd try to avoid it happening because you don't know what else he may be doing or thinking at the time that could lead to a negative association - eg if he was playing with a toy and ran into it, it could make him nervous of all toys; if he was wearing his harness or collar, he could associate it with that etc etc.

Having said that, you're right, at some point he will probably get a zap and it will probably do him no damage. It could be akin to the times you stand on his foot (if it's not happened yet, it probably will). He may yelp at the time, but he won't hold it against you

There are lots of electric fences all over the mountain here, especially once the snow has gone, to keep animals fenced in to particular fields, so we're going to come across them in the summertime. I'll try to keep the pups away from them, but I do know that one day, they'll be doing their own thing, or even walking through the gap, and get a zap.

My friend's lab (who is sadly no longer with us) hated them and hated his owner going through them. I was on a walk once with them and she was trying to close the gap, holding onto the isolator, when he ran up to her and started tugging on her clothing to get her away from it! Very cute, but also not very helpful when a determined 38kg dog is trying to pull a 50kg lady by the leg ;D ;D

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

We have electric fencing around our chickens. Once they get their first prong on the fence they will never go near it again. Best to let the pup experience it sooner than later. It doesn't harm them but just teaches them to stay away. My spaniel pup got her first (and only) shock when she was quite young and she hadn't been near it since. It also teaches them to stay away from the chickens too.

It also helps them learn to stay away from other livestock, so if you come across sheep in electric fencing you know they won't try to get in there either.

At some stage your dog will get too close and will get a shock, unless you are planning on always being by their side in the garden. I would suggest that it's better when the pup is relaxed and finds everything exciting, rather than waiting until they reach the everything is scary age!

Chloe

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Yeah our neighbour has rare breed cows and won't be pleased if he goes charging in there!

Problem is, being a Spaniel, he doesn't go up to the fence gently - he launches himself at it! So potentially he could be stuck getting zapped which would NOT be good.

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Perhaps you could try recall with him when he strays too near the fence and treat for coming to you. Like everyone has said it he will no doubt be zapped at same point, buy due to the low voltage it will do no damage. Does the fence make any noise to train him to stay away from?

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

No it's silent unfortunately.

I guess where I've switched it off when he was around, he's more confident around it, which in hindsight was probably a mistake.

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

I would keep him on a lead and led him experience the shock on a lead, then you can at least ensure he doesn't get stuck in it!

Chloe

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Might he then associate the shock with being on the lead? He's only started this week on the lead.

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Is it possible to trigger the fence so it makes a noise while he is on the lead so that he doesn't actually come into contact with the fence and use a word to tell him stay away. It may well take a few attempts but if you can keep him away from the fence without him having been zapped would be the best result.

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Supervise him until he gets a shock, off lead, and without collar, just keep close by when it happens to ensure he leaps away, and doesn't get tangled.
We deliberately ensured Benson got a shock, on standby to switch the fence off instantly when it happened so it really was the briefest of shocks but a good deterrent. We didn't make a fuss after either, left it a minute or two then distracted with a fun game of tug elsewhere in the garden. He was fine
We breed rare poultry here and although both dogs are great with the poultry and ducks, would never trust them 100%.
They also now sense which part of the fencing is electrified, and which is not..Benson knows instinctively when it is safe to enter the runs, sneak into the henhouses and steal as many eggs as he can stuff into his face before I catch him! :

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

[quote author=Beanwood link=topic=10179.msg149233#msg149233 date=1426264755]
Supervise him until he gets a shock, off lead, and without collar, just keep close by when it happens to ensure he leaps away, and doesn't get tangled.
We deliberately ensured Benson got a shock, on standby to switch the fence off instantly when it happened so it really was the briefest of shocks but a good deterrent. We didn't make a fuss after either, left it a minute or two then distracted with a fun game of tug elsewhere in the garden. He was fine
We breed rare poultry here and although both dogs are great with the poultry and ducks, would never trust them 100%.
They also now sense which part of the fencing is electrified, and which is not..Benson knows instinctively when it is safe to enter the runs, sneak into the henhouses and steal as many eggs as he can stuff into his face before I catch him! :
[/quote]

Thanks that's interesting about him knowing which parts are electrified. Don't you think foxes have the same senses?

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

I agree with Beanwood above, although mine are still wary even when it's not on and the chickens are free ranging around them! I think they have associated electric shock with don't touch chickens, although I wouldn't ever trust mine 100%.

Don't be surprised if he cries like a baby when he gets the shock, just distract him and don't make a fuss and he will be fine.

Chloe

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Oh God, I think I'll cry instead!!!

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

[quote author=JAYMZ link=topic=10179.msg149234#msg149234 date=1426265086]
[quote author=Beanwood link=topic=10179.msg149233#msg149233 date=1426264755]
Supervise him until he gets a shock, off lead, and without collar, just keep close by when it happens to ensure he leaps away, and doesn't get tangled.
We deliberately ensured Benson got a shock, on standby to switch the fence off instantly when it happened so it really was the briefest of shocks but a good deterrent. We didn't make a fuss after either, left it a minute or two then distracted with a fun game of tug elsewhere in the garden. He was fine
We breed rare poultry here and although both dogs are great with the poultry and ducks, would never trust them 100%.
They also now sense which part of the fencing is electrified, and which is not..Benson knows instinctively when it is safe to enter the runs, sneak into the henhouses and steal as many eggs as he can stuff into his face before I catch him! :
[/quote]

Thanks that's interesting about him knowing which parts are electrified. Don't you think foxes have the same senses?
[/quote]

Yes I think they do, they certainly don't go back and try different parts of the fence. We have seen this in previous years after it has snowed, the tracks follow the fence perimeter, but never closer than a couple of feet. Equally they know when the fence is off, not so good.....

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Oh slightly off topic, but we have Porcelain Isabella bantam brahmas (one of the few breeders in the UK) salmon faverolles and dark brahmas

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

[quote author=Beanwood link=topic=10179.msg149242#msg149242 date=1426266452]
Oh slightly off topic, but we have Porcelain Isabella bantam brahmas (one of the few breeders in the UK) salmon faverolles and dark brahmas
[/quote]

Wooooh fancy, schmancy! Lovely and fluffy!!
We have Welsummers. I never liked chickens but they have really won me over. They are such nice, funny creatures.
Looking to get some geese now...!

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Ahh love welsummers! Lovely temperament and nice quality brown eggs...could talk chickens all day. We also have Muscovies and nutty runner ducks.... ;D ;D
Geese....oooh you are very brave! : ;D

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

[quote author=Beanwood link=topic=10179.msg149247#msg149247 date=1426266906]
Ahh love welsummers! Lovely temperament and nice quality brown eggs...could talk chickens all day. We also have Muscovies and nutty runner ducks.... ;D ;D
Geese....oooh you are very brave! : ;D
[/quote]

Don't talk to me about brave... I've got an English Springer Spaniel!!!! ;D

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

Well, I did it.

He got zapped

It was horrible and he yelped and barked at the same time, but I did as suggested and quickly distracted him with a recall, sit and yummy sausage and he soon forgot. We went on a little stroll into the field, did a bit of training and went back the same way past the chicks and he kept his distance.

Hopefully he'll remember that...

Thanks for all your input.

James and Monts

 

Re: Puppy & electric fencing

I'm sure he'll be fine now Anyone would feel bad about it, but ultimately you need the fence to keep your chickens safe, so he did need to learn about how the fence works. I think the way you did it was the best way and will save him from a tangle.