Discussion
I live in a quiet area out in the country. There's approx. 1 acre of grass round my house so I tend to just let my 5 y/o black lab run around and do his own thing. Today, and once last week, he has run away. He has never done this before. Both times I found him a mile up the road. He's not interested in sheep, I had some in as improvised lawnmowers about a month ago and he never bothered with them, never even looked at them. The problem is the farmers round here are very trigger happy and won't see things the way I do. There have been at least 2 dogs shot near me in the last week just for being in a field without the owners and that is the last thing I want to happen to my dog. I feel bad about locking him up in a pen when I'm not outside with him.
So what are my options? Are these electric fence and collars any good? Also, are they humane? Is it possible he is chasing the scent of a b
h in heat? I don't really want to chop his nads off, I wouldn't want someone doing it to me but if it's an option that has to be considered, so be it.
So what are my options? Are these electric fence and collars any good? Also, are they humane? Is it possible he is chasing the scent of a b
h in heat? I don't really want to chop his nads off, I wouldn't want someone doing it to me but if it's an option that has to be considered, so be it.Granville said:
A really long line secured safely to him and the ground. Can still wander about but not run off.
That or dog proof your fencing so he can't get out
The trouble with that is that he'll catch a scent from something and bolt after it, the line will run out eventually. Mind you, he'll probably only do it the once That or dog proof your fencing so he can't get out
(I mean he'll learn, not kill himself)Fence him in if it's not your land he's running around on.
A - if you are letting him roam free - neuter him
It is not just the responsibility of bh owners to neuter, it stops aggressive behavior too
B - electric fences have a dial, you can control the amount
C - he may not have chased YOUR sheep as they were on HIS land, other people's sheep are a different matter...
D - Neuter him
E - did I mention you should neuter him?
It is not just the responsibility of b
h owners to neuter, it stops aggressive behavior tooB - electric fences have a dial, you can control the amount
C - he may not have chased YOUR sheep as they were on HIS land, other people's sheep are a different matter...
D - Neuter him
E - did I mention you should neuter him?
A dog being left to wander freely without observation is also a greater disaster waiting to happen. Least he'd not get run over or shot by the farmer
Ideally the dog needs safe secure fencing to keep him in with observation from the owner. I'd hazard a guess he's being left to roam unsupervised, getting bored and looking for entertainment else where
Ideally the dog needs safe secure fencing to keep him in with observation from the owner. I'd hazard a guess he's being left to roam unsupervised, getting bored and looking for entertainment else where
Granville said:
A dog being left to wander freely without observation is also a greater disaster waiting to happen. Least he'd not get run over or shot by the farmer
Ideally the dog needs safe secure fencing to keep him in with observation from the owner. I'd hazard a guess he's being left to roam unsupervised, getting bored and looking for entertainment else where
Of course it is, can't believe anyone would think I'd say it was ok to let a dog wander free!!!Ideally the dog needs safe secure fencing to keep him in with observation from the owner. I'd hazard a guess he's being left to roam unsupervised, getting bored and looking for entertainment else where
My point is a rope is not the the solution. Doing what most other dog owners do and securing the garden would be the best option. Then actually take the dog for monitored exercise.
I always get shot down in flames for daring to suggest neutering but it really is the responsible thing to do. Especially in this case. There's a good chance this dog has finally succeeded in finding a mate so now the urge has become strong to find another.
I know you're under a lot of stress and just lost Jimmy, but take a deep breath and calm down BexVN, no one is having a go or suggesting likewise or making judgement on what you have posted 
.
As we have all stated, OP needs to fence his land suitable to stop the dog wandering and not leaving unsupervised to roam. Castration would be the next port of call.
.As we have all stated, OP needs to fence his land suitable to stop the dog wandering and not leaving unsupervised to roam. Castration would be the next port of call.
Granville said:
I know you're under a lot of stress and just lost Jimmy, but take a deep breath and calm down BexVN, no one is having a go or suggesting likewise or making judgement on what you have posted .
As we have all stated, OP needs to fence his land suitable to stop the dog wandering and not leaving unsupervised to roam. Castration would be the next port of call.
My reply was nothing to do with being stressed etc, I don't need a deep breath or calm down. The following comment after mine seemed to indicate I was suggesting running free was a better option, I must've misinterpreted what was meant..As we have all stated, OP needs to fence his land suitable to stop the dog wandering and not leaving unsupervised to roam. Castration would be the next port of call.
Fingers crossed OP will find some way of building a secure environment.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 20th June 17:43
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 20th June 17:46
Don't just chop his knackers off.
I hate it when most uninformed people wade in with comments like 'Neuter' him. It depends why the dog is wondering or aggressive, it is very unusual for it to be simply down to that.
Train the bloody thing for starters and make the garden dog proof. A lab might jump a small garden fence (mine would when retrieving on a shoot) but it would need a good reason to do it!
A bh in season is a possibility, but we have several come to stay with us and its more often the bh that wonders rather than the dog.
I would talk to a good local dog trainer if you are worried.
I hate it when most uninformed people wade in with comments like 'Neuter' him. It depends why the dog is wondering or aggressive, it is very unusual for it to be simply down to that.
Train the bloody thing for starters and make the garden dog proof. A lab might jump a small garden fence (mine would when retrieving on a shoot) but it would need a good reason to do it!
A b
h in season is a possibility, but we have several come to stay with us and its more often the bh that wonders rather than the dog.I would talk to a good local dog trainer if you are worried.
Thanks for all the advice.
A long lead is not an option. I had my last dog on one and she nearly hung herself on it when I wasn't there. It's just plain dangerous.
As for locking him inside, also not an option. I wouldn't want to be locked up all day so I'm not going to do it to him. Animals have feelings too. Nothing sickens me as much as seeing dogs locked up inside all day or locked in a small pen.
He is very well trained. I have been training him since he was 6 weeks old and he responds well to all commands. It's just lately this problem has developed.
I think from the advice, my best option is to look into better fencing. It's a big property and won't be cheap but when it comes to my dog, I'll spend it rather than see him meeting a sad end.
Also, @TimCrighton - Are bhes (I can't say bhes? Bee-atches then) really more likely to stray than dogs? When I had my bh, she never strayed when she was on heat but I always had other dogs coming onto my property.
A long lead is not an option. I had my last dog on one and she nearly hung herself on it when I wasn't there. It's just plain dangerous.
As for locking him inside, also not an option. I wouldn't want to be locked up all day so I'm not going to do it to him. Animals have feelings too. Nothing sickens me as much as seeing dogs locked up inside all day or locked in a small pen.
He is very well trained. I have been training him since he was 6 weeks old and he responds well to all commands. It's just lately this problem has developed.
I think from the advice, my best option is to look into better fencing. It's a big property and won't be cheap but when it comes to my dog, I'll spend it rather than see him meeting a sad end.
Also, @TimCrighton - Are b
hes (I can't say bhes? Bee-atches then) really more likely to stray than dogs? When I had my bh, she never strayed when she was on heat but I always had other dogs coming onto my property.In the later ovulation stages of their season when they are 'on their peak' they can wonder but a lot of bhes also have a closer owner/dog bond so might be less likely to wonder anyway.
I've not seen a dog that will actually wonder that far in reality in their search for a bh on heat - we've had them baying at each other across a run of kennels but they don't tend to take themselves for a walk!
hes also have a closer owner/dog bond so might be less likely to wonder anyway. I've not seen a dog that will actually wonder that far in reality in their search for a b
h on heat - we've had them baying at each other across a run of kennels but they don't tend to take themselves for a walk! Crashy said:
So what are my options? Are these electric fence and collars any good? Also, are they humane? Is it possible he is chasing the scent of a bh in heat? I don't really want to chop his nads off, I wouldn't want someone doing it to me but if it's an option that has to be considered, so be it.
Your options are:h in heat? I don't really want to chop his nads off, I wouldn't want someone doing it to me but if it's an option that has to be considered, so be it.1. Secure you garden by way of fencing that the dog can't get over
2. Keep your dog in your house
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