[design219]

I have a German Shepherd who is 10 months old (a puppy, but full size). She is mostly a well behaved dog, but has recently started chasing the neighbors herd of cattle around. This just started when they cleaned the brush from the fence row last week and now she can see the cows clearly. The fence border is about half a mile, and we have about 34 acreas on our side to do her doggy thing.

I need to train her to not cross that fence. I don't think it will take much. I fear she will run a cow to death, or make one break a leg and I'll get the bill.

Anyway, I want to try a shock collar to try and train her not to cross the fence. My wife thinks it will not be effective (and cruel, I suspect).

Any experience, or thoughts?

[Dakar²]

I sure have, but my wife still overcooks my steaks.

[design219]

I hate when that happens.

[Nai no Kami]

My wife refused to wear it.

[starman]

Originally Posted by Nai no Kami 

My wife refused to wear it.

Post of the week.

[Dakar²]

Apparently you missed the entire "I got a girlfriend" thread.

[design219]

I'm not going to get any real information here, am I?

[starman]

Originally Posted by design219 

I'm not going to get any real information here, am I?

I'd answer you but Dakar's got control of my leas....*BUZZ*

OW!

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by design219 

I have a German Shepherd ...... recently started chasing the neighbors herd of cattle around.

Any experience, or thoughts?

I think it's going to be a pointless journey filled with a lot of shocks and pain for your dog. You have a SHEPARD. It's playing with cattle. That's what Shepards were bred to do, it is a working dog. The drive for it to be around cattle/sheep/livestock is very strong, it's in it's DNA.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by design219 

I'm not going to get any real information here, am I?

Sure, but apparently those people aren't on yet. I can't help, because I hate dogs.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by starman 

I'd answer you but Dakar's got control of my leas....*BUZZ*

OW!

Sorry, my finger slipped.

[Randman]

I'd say go for it, but first put the collar around your neck for a week and get some shocks and see what it's like.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

I think it's going to be a pointless journey filled with a lot of shocks and pain for your dog. You have a SHEPARD. It's playing with cattle. That's what Shepards were bred to do, it is a working dog. The drive for it to be around cattle/sheep/livestock is very strong, it's in it's DNA.

Basically, what you are wanting to do is "teach" your dog to NOT do what it was born and bred to do. I really don't think this is fair to the dog. It's a HERDING dog. You need to put up a longer fence or use some other means to keep your dog off of your neighbor's land. If she is just chasing them by running along the fence (on your side) who cares? The cows will learn to stay away...

[Doofy]

Or train the cows to hassle the dog so much that she doesn't bother. Cows are a lot harder than you'd imagine - they're all wearing leather jackets, for starters.

[Dakar²]

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Or train the cows to hassle the dog so much that she doesn't bother. Cows are a lot harder than you'd imagine - they're all wearing leather jackets, for starters.

Not to mention all of the body piercings.

[design219]

This is what I love about the macnn forums!

[Dakar²]

So, the basic gist I'm getting here is, it's in my wife's DNA to burn steaks?

[Gossamer]

And nag.

[design219]

Can she come nag at my dog?

And burn my neighbors cows?

[Balrog3]

It is less cruel than getting kicked in the head by a cow. I borrowed a shock collar, but the behaviour I needed to control was so infrequent, that the collars charge would wear off. You could try a noisemaker.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

And nag.

Well, christ, that's in every chick's dna.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Randman 

I'd say go for it, but first put the collar around your neck for a week and get some shocks and see what it's like.

Please, watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0ffIyxiLxc

[Dakarʒ]

I hope that's Jackass.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

I hope that's Jackass.

AFV

[Dakarʒ]

I actually think I caught that once. Kid talking while they keep going up a setting?

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

I actually think I caught that once. Kid talking while they keep going up a setting?

Yep. Stupid looking goatee too. He deserved it.

[centerchannel68]

I did that once, on my stomach. I wanted ot see how bad it was. It was quite unpleasant.

[JohnM15141]

A shock collar is totally unneccesary in this case and its cruel because it won't solve the problem.

What needs to be done is standard dog training. When you teach a dog to sit, stay, come, rollover etc. Your not just teaching it tricks. You're teaching it to respond to commands insinctively. That is what will allow you to control your dogs behavior.

If you were to put your dog through a proper training course with a certified dog trainer, the end result will be an obediant animal. It will still want to chase the cows becaus thats its instinct but will be controllable and respond to your commands and will stop whatever its doing and follow your command.

I had a german shephard/rott mix that was a wonderful dog, well behaved and a great companion, until she came in contact with another dog, then, she'd flip out and go full psycho everytime and attack any other dog. I didn't know what do, she was uncontrollable. Any other time she was great. I took her to a dog trainer. The dog trainer taught me to train my dog, in other words I would go see the trainer with my dog. The trainer would instruct me with my dog. Sit, heel, stay, come etc. The end result was I gained control. She still wanted to attack the other dogs but wouldn't because I would say "no" It is amazing what a good obediance training can do for your dog and you.

[design219]

Thanks.

What about when nobody is around? We can't be with her all the time (she is out during the day). I know you are right about training, and other than sit, we have not done any. I'll ask our vet about training classes in our area.

[centerchannel68]

Put her on a leash? Honestly, I'm not sure 'being outside' all day is a good thing for dogs. A lot of the times they get bored, if they're alone, and then start barking at things. Eventually they get territorial. I suggest reading this book. Also, daily walks are a must.

[design219]

I have read Cesars way. Great book! I walk my dog every day morning and night. She gets LOTS of exercise. She has another neighbor dog to play with. We live in a rural area with lots of land. Keeping her confined all day is not how a large dog should live. Being inside all day alone would be cruel.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by JohnM15141 

The dog trainer taught me to train my dog, in other words I would go see the trainer with my dog.

GW?

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

GW?

That's just a saying that exists from where he lives at.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by Randman 

I'd say go for it, but first put the collar around your neck for a week and get some shocks and see what it's like.

Exactly

[andi*pandi]

why not try the invisible fence thing?

Invisible Fence � Brand - Pet Solutions - Outdoor

[design219]

I'm afraid a half mile of invisible fence is not feasable.

[olePigeon]

You can could setup half mile of live wire.

[D. S. Troyer]

What about crate training instead of being left outside when you're not home. This may be Ok for short periods of time if you don't want her running around the house when you are not at home. But as I said for short periods not all day.

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by design219 

What about when nobody is around? We can't be with her all the time (she is out during the day).

If you can't or aren't willing to do what it takes to keep your dog from leaving your property when you aren't around then you don't need a farking dog.

NO amount of training will make a dog "behave" 100% when you are not around. I think that standard dog training is what is proper for when you ARE around and when you aren't you can put up a large kennel or something.

An invisible fence doesn't work for all dogs anyway. If they want out then they will push through the barrier. It MAY be worth a shot though. you don't have to run it along the ENTIRE perimeter of you property. You could create a large "yard" for her to run around in.

[zro]

Originally Posted by Dakar² 

I sure have, but my wife still overcooks my steaks.

Wha?? I grill the red meat in my house. Not hard to figure out who wears the "Pull my finger" apron in yours.

[design219]

Originally Posted by smacintush 

If you can't or aren't willing to do what it takes to keep your dog from leaving your property when you aren't around then you don't need a farking dog. .

I am willing to do what it takes, that's why I posted this question. I just wanted some feedback on if anyone has used this method and results.

My dog is in a much better situation than 95% of the dogs in America, lots of space, the best vet care, a loving family. Yes, she has a crate and has learned to spend time in it. She is still a puppy and learning. We have trained her to sit, not jump on people, not bother the cat and usually come when we call her.

This cow problem just came up this week, and has only happened twice that we have seen. I know she is a shepherd, but this is a concern and we are looking for the BEST way to deal with it.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by zro 

Wha?? I grill the red meat in my house. Not hard to figure out who wears the "Pull my finger" apron in yours.

I kid a lot.

[♥]

We have invisible fencing for our dog, a spaniel, and it works very well. We live at the edge of a small lake and he kept insisting on digging or tunneling out of the fenced yard to go to the pond and try to catch waterfowl.

The only that stopped him was the invisible fencing that shocked him when he tried to cross.

It worked.

I don't think it's inhumane, either. What is inhumane is that if his dog gets out and does damage the dog may end up without a home in some way, shape, or fashion. Also, it will potentially cost the owner a great deal of money and/or a lawsuit. Don't know about there, but the last that I heard, a good milk cow is worth about $10,000 down here in the U.S. of A.

Good luck.

[andi*pandi]

Also, my brother had a dog shot because it was bothering cows. The farmer was in the right.

[design219]

Yes, my concern as well.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

I kid a lot.

The question is whether or not you're kidding now. Hmm...

[zro]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

I kid a lot.

Yes, yes, me too. But did you pull my finger?

[Mithras]

I love xkcd. That is some seriously funny stuff.

[KeriVit]

We did the invisible fence thing with 3 dogs. They got shocked a few times, but then went years without going near it. They didn't even need collars. The hardest one to train was the Cairn Terrier cuz he figured out how to escape between the beeps and the shock. So, we turned off the delay and he got the message. The Chow-Lab and Chow-Shep learned immediately.

As for expense. My mother has 80 acres and a full blooded Shep. They laid their own wire and bought the collar. This guy lives outside and has never crossed the line they put up. And he is BIG.




I could ask them how they did it so economically...