Three years ago, Mary-Ann Pelletier and her family moved out of Calgary to a 4-acre parcel of fresh air and mountain views. To complete their move, they got a dog. The Black Lab/Collie puppy, Lizzie, often slipped under the wooden fence to say hello to the neighbouring horses and play with dogs on nearby acreages.
Open spaces, forests, and creeks keep Fido busy for hours. Yet the life of a free-roaming dog can be hazardous to itself and others.
Concerns About Roaming Dogs
According to Dr. Kathleen Cavanagh, a veterinarian in Ontario, “Unattended dogs are a risk to the community and also experience increased risk of harm and disease themselves. Roaming dogs are either let loose to run or escape their fenced enclosure or home. Education of the pet owning public is essential to help reduce this serious problem. Clients have most frequently relayed to me that they run their dogs loose because they have always done it that way. Others say they don't have time to walk the dog, and this is natural exercise so it is healthy--and he always comes back (so far!).”
Dr. Cavanagh continues, “If it is a working farm dog, and is loose while performing herding, guarding or other doggie work this is obviously okay as the caregiver will be keeping an eye on the dog. On large acreages, a farm dog may wander about and if well trained, will stick to home territory. People often free exercise their dogs by hiking with them on their own acreage.”
Dr. Cavanagh points out some of the risks involved when your dog roams free unattended:
- Dogs may end up lost and unless reunited or re-adopted, will end up euthanized as an unwanted pet at shelters.
- Other lost dogs slowly starve if the weather is inclement and food not easily scrounged.
- Many wandering dogs get hit by cars.
- Some dogs join packs of feral dogs – these are a bane to sheep farmers and others.
- Exposure to toxins - garbage, spilled chemicals such as antifreeze, lawn pesticides, slug bait, etc.
- Exposure to pests – ticks, fleas, gut parasites such as roundworm, etc.
- Exposure to infection – rabies, parvovirus, respiratory diseases, etc.
- Frostbite & heatstroke.
- Severe weather – sleet, thunderstorms, high winds, deep snow, etc.
- Bite wounds from other dogs or wounds from other trauma (running through thorns, broken glass, etc.)
As well, in many municipalities across Canada, farm operators are within their rights to shoot dogs that are endangering their livestock. Your pooch may not return home if he is harassing animals on neighbouring properties.
Mary-Ann Pelletier is confident Lizzie will return every evening. So far she always comes back after a few hours. Mary-Ann’s biggest concerns are that Lizzie will come back pregnant or will become a victim of tainted meat/food. After being clipped by a couple of cars, Lizzie now “knows better” and her family isn’t concerned she will get hit again.
Are Invisible Fences the Solution?
Thirty-seven years ago the Invisible Fence® Brand invented the technology now used to invisibly keep animals on their own property. With their 99.2% success rate, lifetime warranty on all equipment, and guarantee of containment of any breed of dog or cat of any size, they are able to keep Rover or Fluffy where he belongs.
Greg Deitz, the Alberta Manager for Invisible Fence explains how the electronic fences work. “Most systems work on the basis of a wire around the perimeter of a yard. We bury a wire about three inches into the ground, all the way around the property including flowerbeds and gardens. A signal comes off the wire. Flags are put up around the property where the signal field is to give the animal a visual indication that there is something there. When the animal gets to the signal field, its collar lets off a beep and on a time delay, a little bit of static is released. The best way I can describe the static is when you rub your feet on the carpet and touch the door. The animal learns to get back into the yard or he will feel something uncomfortable.”
Dr. Cavanagh points out, “The strength of the system needs to be carefully set to match the size and temperament of the dog. A good e-fence company will take time to test each dog during training to ensure that humane levels are experienced. The goal of invisible fencing is to provide a deterrent level, not a painful level, and the dog’s response as he approaches is used by the company representative to guide the strength of settings. They are best used in a community without too many free roaming dogs as other dogs (sometimes vicious) can come onto the yard, and if it is a small yard, the resident dog is effectively cornered. Or has nowhere to run.”
Invisible fences will keep Rover in a designated area and they are an aesthetically appealing alternative to traditional fences. And there is no worry about termites or yearly repainting. Invisible fences can be used on all terrain, including water.
The main drawback of invisible fencing is that it doesn’t keep other animals out of your yard nor does it protect Fido from thieves or animal transmitted diseases.
Dr. Cavanagh shares her thoughts, “Having recently watched a dog get hit and killed chasing a ball on the highway as the owners played with the dog, I think it is important to be aware that strong instincts (tire biters, fetching, chasing game or tracking scents) can override the training of all but the very best of the well trained dogs! Even well trained hunting dogs can get sidetracked sometimes.”
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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