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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**********************

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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 am so hoping this works for you. Gators are my biggest fear by my mom's new house, they are everywhere. Hope all things go well, Keep us updated..

 

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Good Vibes, Positive Thoughts and Happy Wishes coming your way!

Good Luck Boys!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Good luck with the electric fence.  Hope the training goes super smoothly.  We're in the process now of installing an old-fashioned (real) fenced-in area, complete with artificial turf, so that Sedona has a secure place to run off leash (and the granddaughter has a place to play, too).  Sedona currently has our back courtyard, but running on the pebbled concrete isn't nearly as comfortable as a grass yard - artificial or real.

[Lynn D.]

I did similar to what BruceGirl has done. My trainer is friends with a Invisible Fence installer so before our obedience training finished he taught me how to train with the e-collar. It's so great, IMO.

 

I love being able to take my dood out for potty without a leash. Or playing ball without my arm getting yanked out of its socket cause Echo hit the end of the leash at 25 miles per hour.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

The one shock required during our training for the invisible fence was really a non event.  like you we were very nervous about it but it really wasn't a big deal.  You could tell that it was enough for them to notice, but they didn't even yelp.  We waited longer than the required training time to do it, walking the boundaries and practicing for several weeks before we got up the nerve to do it ........ in the end it was a lot of worry for nothing.  hopefully it will be for you all as well.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh Jane, I wish you luck with this...it would be so awesome to have them just go outside (unleashed) to potty.  We always have to leash walk our guys.  I'm jealous.

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin caught onto e-fence training really quickly at the cottage.  He even remembered his boundaries from the first year to the second.  At this point he does not even need the e-collar on (we get lazy lol).  We also keep him supervised when he is outside.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I don't know much about those electric fences but if it works it will be great for you and the boys will have some freedom which will be fantastic.   I love the idea of the trainer coming to you and with Stuart and Rooney and with the leash issues to work out  this seems like a good plan.  Good luck with both.

Riley just went out for his last Potty garden visit. I said 'time to get busy and then bed' so he walked out the patio doors did a big wee in his place and then went by himself into his crate.  He does this every night now when I say "time for bed" it's just so darn cute.  I can't believe how adorable these Doodles are, they really are "a breed apart"