Electric fence

[carlnny]

My dog backed into an electric fence and got a good jolt. She was very energetic and now she only mopes around for the last week. She is a seven year old Dachshund / Black Lab cross.

[carlnny]

I tried having that talk with her a couple times and also took her for a walk far away from the fence.I forgot to tell you that she seems weak and wobbly on her back legs. Makes me think it is more physical than mental.

Thank you

[ggreg]

If this fence is not one she normally is around, then she is exhibiting the sadness she feels from being hurt so badly, so suddenly, for no reason.  So, you just sit down with her and have a little talk with your dog, hug her and pet her, giving her treats as you talk it all out.  I know, they don't understand English perfectly well, but they DO feel the emotion, she will recognize that you are trying to comfort her in her hour of need, when she gets depressed.  So, ANYtime your dog goes into a depressive episode, it's time for you to address it in the way I just described.  Even a little play helps.

Now, if this fence is adjoining your yard, you've got a problem.  You will HAVE to build a very strong (cement in ground) but regular picket fence all across that section, paint your side your fav color, a lighter version.  The reason you must do this is so your dog won't for the rest of his life have to deal with that wretched fence.  You will need to demonstrate how that section is no longer dangerous, walk her by it from diff directions, fast and slow, until she realizes that shock fence is "gone."  And of course YOU have to lean against that new fence!

Bless her heart.  I hope she very soon gets over what must have been very painful and so she sometimes may still be sore, which would also explain why she gets depressed now and again.  

I remember when I was a lot younger, my girlfriend and I used to go horseback riding together, and there was a Tennessee Walker I wanted to work with, so I rode on the back with her horse to that farm, and somehow in getting this horse out, the electric fence came apart, and out went the cows, and I managed to get a zing shock on my head.  UGH.  You couldn't pray me near an electric fence ever again... it's not that the pain was so bad, it's that it's an experience I can easily avoid.  If your dog HAS to be near that fence now and again on a walk or something, you'll have to exclude it from your walks, or if you have talks over the fence, ask your friend to come by your house instead.

Feel free to write back to this forum... others may wish to talk to you about this, too, and have better ideas.  I hope all my jabber helps!  GG