Saturday, November 03, 2007

A Shocking Adjustment

Griffey is doing well now that's he back home where he belongs. We've had the Invisible Fence for 3 weeks now. It was necessary because of the way my yard is set up. There's fencing on both sides thanks to my neighbors. But the driveway runs alongside my house and yard to the garage, which sits at the very back of the property. So I can't really physically fence the whole yard. The driveway is open and there's about a 10 foot section next to the garage that is open to the alley. But in all the years I've had Griffey, I've never had a problem with him leaving the yard. Until recently. Remember this? I do. All too well.

He's getting used to the new fence. And he doesn't like it. It took getting zapped a few times to figure out where his boundaries are. But if that's what it takes to keep him safely in the yard then so be it. See the bulky contraption on the collar. We only put it on when we go outside. He looks at me every time like "Awww man. Not that damn thing again. C'mon ...I hate that thing."
I must admit the adjustment was a little hard for both of us. For momma, it was hard to watch him get zapped. Now don't go calling the PETA people on me. It doesn't hurt him. It's just more of an annoying tingle than real pain. Kinda makes his eye twitch a little and he tries to scratch it. But now he's figured out how to back away from the shock zone and make it stop. He's a quick learner so it still isn't set beyond the training level. My woosy boy is only at a level 3. That's all it took.If your dog is defiant and tries to test the system you have to set it higher for a more jarring jolt. But Griffey is no dummy. Or should I say he isn't a bad ass. I guess he's a combination of the two. Basically a smart, chicken shit. LOL! Cuz there's no testing his limits. He won't go near the boundaries now. The collar beeps when he's feeling a little jolt. But my boy doesn't even have to feel anything. Just hearing the beep makes him freeze in his tracks.
We have to keep the training flags up for about another week. They mark where the wires are. Most of it is buried but as you can see there were a few spots where the wire was just tacked into the ground because of my landscaping. Once I take the flags down, the wires won't even be noticeable. And the great thing is that if I ever move to a different house, the system goes with me. I just get new wire.

It's still a little confusing for him though. He's 7 yrs old. He's grown up in this house and suddenly things are different. Certain places he used to be able to go are now off limits. He's still a little timid in the backyard and he's scared to step in the driveway now. Some of the driveway is accessible to him but he's gotten a few zings when he's gotten too close to the edge. So now he thinks the whole driveway is electrocuted or something. He'll just sit at the edge on the grass and look at me like "Uhhh... are you crazy? I'm not stepping out there." I swear I can hear his thought process just by the looks he gives me.
So we're still working on that. Trying to teach him where the safe zones are. But the trainer says it's just a matter of time and he'll figure it all out and be fine. At least, I can rest easy now. He can even be outside unsupervised without any fear of him running away. But momma hasn't gotten that confident yet either. I still watch him like a hawk. I guess in time I'll be trained, too.

19 comments:

Middle-Aged Moi said...

You know what, Krista? You're doing what you have to do to keep Griffey alive. And good on ya. It's for his good, and he'll get used to it. I'm glad he's figuring it out....

Good luck with your little pooch!

The luckiest mommy in the world said...

He's one cute little doggy and worth it I'm sure.

Deb

Kim said...

Your doing the right thing...
He still LOVES you to pieces...
He is TOO CUTE!!!
Kim

Abby's Mom said...

Poor Griffey but a Momma has to do what a Moma has to do :)

kitchu said...

Poor Griffey... better safe than keeping his mom up all night worrying!

Catherine said...

Poor Griffey. It's tough at first but it sounds like he's a quick learner. Glad mommy has more peace of mind.

t~ said...

I am so calling PETA! ;0)
z-z-zap!

Anonymous said...

Griffey will be just fine. He might have a bruised ego but nothing he can't get over. You did the right thing!

Donna said...

Wow, I had no idea you could get something like that. Sounds like the two of you are adjusting though. The important thing is that Griffey won't wander off again!

Joannah said...

I almost got one of those systems when I first lived here with my original two doggies - Colvin and Taylor. They would split everytime I let them out the front door. Colvin jumped the fence once the first week I had her and was missing for a day. It made me crazy with worry.

I think you chose a great method for keeping your little where he should be.

Joannah said...

That should be "your little guy". Sorry my thoughts move faster than my fingers do.

:-)

C's Mom said...

What can one say?

It is true that love hurts ;0) Sometimes what is best for us is supposed to make us twitch!

He'll have it all figured out soon.

Briana's Mom said...

A mama has to do what a mama has to do to keep her baby safe! Griffey will get used to it!

wzgirl said...

Oh! So thats how those things work. An adjustment for sure - but so worth it to avoid that frightening time when Griffey wandered off.

OziMum said...

I wasn't sure what the whole invisible fence thing was! Hope Griffey works it all out real soon, and he can relax in his own yard!

4D said...

He is cute with his collar.

They may not like it but they can adapt. Daisy had the run of the house. Now she is crated to prevent her from hurting herself. She does not like it but she gets used to it.

Good luck!

Keep smilin!

Shannon said...

I so understand your feelings in this post. Keep reminding yourself that the both of you CANNOT go through another missing episode. As rosey as it turned out even! Heck the rest of us can't take G on another jaunt around the neighborhood either! =) It'll all work out. Let me know when you get confident in letting G out alone!! Hang in there.

Anonymous said...

Krista,
I just lost my beloved dog Snickers. She got loose from our patio lanai. I was out of town and my husband looked for her for hours. The very next morning she was hit by a car in front of our house. We have been devastated. We had new neighbors move in about a week ago who have an electric fence. I did not realize they even had the fence. I thought their lab was so well trained untill they filled me in on the fence. Now my husband and I once we decide to get another dog, will definetely invest in the fence after our experience. I would rather have our new baby dog go thru a little temporary discomfort in return for his/her safety. You have made the right decision. I wish I had know about these fences before.
Melissa

Mama Melissa said...

I'm considering doing this in my yard for my dogs. I use tie-outs now, but it can be annoying...

Peace.
Melissa