Day Two - and I got shocked - Update

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I believe that Rooney's shock setting was too high.  I had dh set it down from a 2 to a 1. Then I held it and walked out to be shocked.  It did not hurt at all but it did get my attention.  I was fearful of feeling it and wouldn't want to feel it at a 2 which is what Rooney got yesterday.  So we left Stuart's at a two and Rooney's is now at a one.  Stuart is doing well and seems relaxed outdoors - Rooney remains fearful but is trying - this may take more time.  He'll never go through the fence - I just want him to be relaxed and able to play.  We'll see.

 

*********************OMG what have I done?  DH got home last night and I left him in charge of the fence installation while I had a hair appointment  this a.m. thinking that I had plenty of time to get back home before the install was finished.  WRONG!  I turn the corner onto my street to see Rooney walking around the yard with the fence trainer and just as I get pulled off to the side he leads Rooney to a flag and AND I'M TRYING NOT TO CRY AS I TYPE THIS I saw my baby get shocked.  It was the worst feeling to see that - they did it twice very quickly and I just had to sit there and watch.  I was afraid then that if Rooney saw me get out of my car that he'd try to run through that fence line and get shocked again.  My dh did come and take Rooney by the leash and then I went into our yard.  Rooney was so happy for me to take him in the house.  I missed seeing Stuart get shocked and thank God for that or I'd have had to put a stop to the whole thing.  Stuart is fine now and happy to walk the yard on his lease, not going too close to the flags.  I just took Rooney out and had to carry him because he is afraid of the front yard (where the shock took place) but he did better on the side and in the back yard - giving the flags a good 10 feet.  I need to work hard to hide my fear and stress and try to project a calm, confident manner but inside I'm a wreak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**********************

***************************************

I'm very nervous but tomorrow the electric fence is being installed.  This could be $1,500 of fabulous or disaster.  Most of you know that I tried very hard to be able to install a physical fence but it was not allowed.  If the training goes as planned I would, for the 1st time be able to open my door - step outside with the boys off leash and let them potty.  I would be able to sit outdoors or throw a ball in our yard - none of which we can do now.  There is NO off leash anything for the boys unless we drive to our dog park.  I do hate the idea of them getting that shock but this will happen with the fence trainer so they will associate that with him, not me.  My biggest fear is that Rooney is a little bit fearful at times (he is skittish to potty after dark, he looks around like the wild pigs are after him).  I am afraid that once he gets that little shock that he may just not want to go into the yard at all.  Rooney doesn't forget - ever - so it would be difficult if he decided to over-react.  Stuart is a big ol goofy guy and I doubt it would faze him.  I realize that I have to be very careful to keep up with the flag training and if I am going to walk them off of the property (not for the 1st couple of weeks) the trainer said to lay across the driveway an old beach towel - think magic bridge, to teach them to walk out, of course I'll have taken the special collars off.  I would never let the boys outside without me with them - the collars might keep the boys inside but it won't keep the gators, cougar, wild pigs or black bears out!  I'll keep ya all posted on this process for anyone else that might be thinking of doing the same.  Please cross your paws for all of us - there is a lot riding on my ability to get them trained.

In other news - one week from tomorrow we start our in home training.  We are using the same lady that Rooney went to puppy and agility classes.  Super great young trainer with so much positive energy, Rooney loves her and I'm sure that Stuart will also.  Stuart having gotten over his neuter is finally ready to get started and as he is going to be a big boy (around 55 lbs we think) I need him to walk without pulling and tangling the leashes when we walk.  I also need to start training him to jump into the suv.  I had to have a spinal fusion a few years back and he is going to get too heavy for me to lift.  Rooney has things to work on also - such as no bark (he hates those lawn guys) and no putting his little paws on people, etc.  I've got her coming for an hour once a week, indefinitley.  We don't have any serious issues, I just know that for me to control Stuart and not hurt myself or to be able to take both the boys someplace that I need ABSOLUTE CONTROL.  I also think that she'll be good with helping with the above fence training if needed.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I agree with Traci... if that was the one and only time they had to be shocked then it is over with. I could not deal either as I have tears in my eyes for your experience I can not imagine what that would be like to see Jack get shocked.

 

I have to tell you, I have a fenced in yard totally, but if I did not, I would be in your shoes and I would imagine I would get an electric fence, (we don't have alligators where I live) but I would do it for the very reasons you are, so they can play, run around and have some off leash time in their own yard. I know you will be so careful with them and never leave them alone out there.

 

I am sorry for your horror. I do think it will pay off in the end. I agree you have to work hard to put on a strong front because you know as well as I do, our babies take their cue from us, so if you are a wreck they will be too. I am dealing with that with Jack right now for different reasons.. I am a wreck for personal reasons and he knows it and is acting so crazy.

 

I can't fool him, he knows it...Stinker dogs... I think it will be okay.. Just think in a short while you can chase balls with them and run around and play.

 

Sending love, you are a good mom who is trying to do the right thing by their babies..

 

xoxoxoxo

 

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Sorry to hear this is more stressful for you than anticipated.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Jane, I'm at a lose for words on this one since I have no experience with an e-fence.  I have used an e-collar for training our lab, but the setting is low.  Most people would not be able to notice he received one.

If Rooney is a sensitive dog maybe the setting is to high for him.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Poor little guy!  I would have died too!  Try to keep your mind on the goal - you want them to have more feedom outside & this is just a process to accomplish that.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

@Bonnie, the rubber allows the leash to stretch alittle, which helps minimize the jerk you feel when the dog pulls.  The first and last 6-8" of the leash is like a regular with the rubber in the middle.  If the rubber would get chewed or break somehow there is a cable that goes through the center.  Maybe the best way to describe it is it acts like a shock absorber 

[Stella]

We have an electronic wireless fence and had to train the dogs to it ourselves.  It was even worse because I had to walk them up to the flags and let them get shocked.  I'm convinced that the dogs thought I shocked them, because they got fearful of me initially.  It was a very stressful time and my husband actually wanted me to return the fence when he saw me take the dog to get shocked. I gave up on the training recommended in the manual and did it my own way instead!  They are both fine with the boundary now and know exactly how far away from the house they can go.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Tina, Could you describe why this wacky walker is a benefit for you? I cannot walk the dogs because the pulling on my shoulder triggers migraines. Do you think it might help? Obviously I make them heal but there is a lot of jerking in the process.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good luck with the fence. My smaller dogs got enough exercise between running indoors and leash walks, but JD would never get the exercise he needs if I couldn't sit outside and throw the ball for him, so I know how important that is for you with Stuart.

Your trainer sounds great and I'm sure Stuart will be a star pupil!

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Good luck.  Keeping fingers crossed that the new fence is a success.

Jane, I also had a spinal fusion done and found leashes that have heavy rubber in the middle.  It does not replace training but is an added precaution for me anyway.  I use it with the foster doodles until they can walk without jerking.  They're called Wacky Walk'r and here is a link.

https://wackywalkr.websitesource.net/ 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Good luck, Jane. A fence will make your life a whole lot easier!