Invisible Fences
I am a dog owner. I hate invisible fences. Yes, I know "hate" is a strong word, but in this case it's appropriate.
I understand the desire to let one's dog have some freedom running around outside. Certainly we are all responsible dog-owners and wouldn't think of letting our dogs run around off-leash. (It's also illegal in most jurisdictions, and a risk to not only people but the dog as well.) This is why we have a fenced backyard. Conny can run around to her heart's content.
But these invisible fences. There are several in our neighborhood. We like to take walks every evening with both the dog (on a leash, always) and the boys. It is usually a very pleasant walk. Unless someone with an invisible fence has left their dog out. (Rarely is any human outside with the dog.)
The dogs come running towards the street, barking away. I will admit, that is normal behavior for a dog. They are just trying to protect their territory. But as a dog comes running towards the road with no barrier between it and me, and I am walking with my two little boys and my dog, it scares me.
A human's natural instinct is fight-or-flight. Either I will stand up to what is threatening me, or I will run. I really don't care to have to do either with a dog.
But I can only assume that those who have invisible fences are expecting everyone to overcome that natural human instinct, and instead immediately think, "Perhaps there is an invisible fence and that dog will stop!"
Well that just isn't possible for this Mamma Bear whe she is out with her kids!
So please dog-owners of the world, go ahead and fence in your backyard. Hey, fence in your frontyard too if you like. Seeing that physical barrier between your dog and me will allow your neighbors to walk comfortably and not have to worry about whether your barking dog will stop at the property line or not.
Please don't tell me that your dog is "friendly", and wouldn't hurt anyone. Conny is a friendly dog too, and she would never hurt a fly. But she is also a yappy-dog. She is part terrier, and very territorial. She will bark from inside when someone even walks by the house.
Even though I know she wouldn't hurt anyone, I have more respect for my neighbors and deliverymen than to make them ever have to wonder if that is true or not.
I understand the desire to let one's dog have some freedom running around outside. Certainly we are all responsible dog-owners and wouldn't think of letting our dogs run around off-leash. (It's also illegal in most jurisdictions, and a risk to not only people but the dog as well.) This is why we have a fenced backyard. Conny can run around to her heart's content.
But these invisible fences. There are several in our neighborhood. We like to take walks every evening with both the dog (on a leash, always) and the boys. It is usually a very pleasant walk. Unless someone with an invisible fence has left their dog out. (Rarely is any human outside with the dog.)
The dogs come running towards the street, barking away. I will admit, that is normal behavior for a dog. They are just trying to protect their territory. But as a dog comes running towards the road with no barrier between it and me, and I am walking with my two little boys and my dog, it scares me.
A human's natural instinct is fight-or-flight. Either I will stand up to what is threatening me, or I will run. I really don't care to have to do either with a dog.
But I can only assume that those who have invisible fences are expecting everyone to overcome that natural human instinct, and instead immediately think, "Perhaps there is an invisible fence and that dog will stop!"
Well that just isn't possible for this Mamma Bear whe she is out with her kids!
So please dog-owners of the world, go ahead and fence in your backyard. Hey, fence in your frontyard too if you like. Seeing that physical barrier between your dog and me will allow your neighbors to walk comfortably and not have to worry about whether your barking dog will stop at the property line or not.
Please don't tell me that your dog is "friendly", and wouldn't hurt anyone. Conny is a friendly dog too, and she would never hurt a fly. But she is also a yappy-dog. She is part terrier, and very territorial. She will bark from inside when someone even walks by the house.
Even though I know she wouldn't hurt anyone, I have more respect for my neighbors and deliverymen than to make them ever have to wonder if that is true or not.
posted by Susan | 6:53 PM
1 Comments:
That's a really good point.
We have a neighbor who has an invisible fence, but who put little flags saying "invisible fence" around the perimeter of the yard. I used to joke with my husband that they ruined it because now I could see it. But now I see WHY they did that. Interesting.
Not a dog owner myself, so kind of out of the loop on all of that.
Lisa
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