Are invisible fences effective for pitbulls? Are shock collars safe?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I like this idea. Electronic fences can be a great solution. The caveats: some dogs will get so excited by something (bird, squirrel, etc) that they ignore the shocks and keep right on going. Use the collars EXACTLY as recommended. I have seen plenty of horrible neck wounds from collars left on too long. Best of luck to you and the dogs!

I think an underground fence or an electric fence that has a home base (see link below) might be the best solution. Petsafe is a good company who makes these products. It shouldn’t scare her further away but it should keep her inside the boundaries. I would keep the level on low to keep her from becoming scared to go in the yard. This is the safest thing to prevent her from getting out and either getting lost or injured. There is also a GPS tracking device for the collar called whistle that you can use to keep up with her if she still gets out. I hope this helps. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/petsafe-wireless-instant-fence-pet-containment-system?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o3&scid=scplp692131&sc_intid=692131&cm_mmc=PLA-GG-_-PTC_P_SUP_PLA-GG_FY17_SCShopping-Mobile-_-Non+VIP-_-92700026257943398&kwid=p26257943398&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjtH4nPzz1wIVh4WzCh05bAl_EAQYAyABEgJ1sfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Shock collars, bark collars, and clicker training are all acceptable ways of training pets. The down side is they are ineffective if not done properly. They are great modalities in the correct hands that know how to implement them and do it correctly to where the dog understands what is being asked of them. Consulting a behavioral/trainer that is experienced is the best way to achieve positive results.

Yes, unfortunately a shock collar is cruel and should not be used on a dog. Some humane alternatives are boundary training or teaching Piper to come, without fail, every time you call her so that she remains in your yard. Another possibility is to explain your situation to your neighbors and ask that they not throw food into their yard. If they are doing it to feed squirrels, possums, etc., that is their right and there's not much you can do about it. If it's any other reason, you might try asking them to load the food up with sriracha, tabasco or other unpleasant flavor to deter Piper from going after it. If you have some friends in the subdivision who are not near your neighbor, how about asking if you can use their yard? Good luck with this. If you need further info, you can click on the prompt to initiate a consult.

I personally recommend against them. Most bark collars work by delivering a shock to your dog, in an attempt to "stop" them from whatever behavior they are doing. However, this often either causes pain to your dog, or starts an association of the shock with other things, such as you, or a nearby child or person, which may cause redirected aggression instead. Instead of shocking your dog when they bark or do something they shouldn't redirection through positive reinforcement is a better option. it can help build a bond with your dog without resorting to pain or fear, and while still stopping the problem. If your dog likes to bark, say, when someone walks past the house, you can instead get your dog's attention with a favorite treat or chew toy, moving them to a different room and refocusing their behavior on that, instead of the person causing them to bark. If they are distracted or upset, refocusing them into a sit or down (far enough away that the stimulus causing them to bark isn't as distracting) can help change the behavior from "bad" (barking) to "good" (sitting), which you can then start to reward if they present that behavior instead of the bark in the future. It does take longer to work with positive reinforcement and redirection training, but the overall result is a change in your dog's underlying behavior, rather than just a band aid that can lead to fear, redirected aggression, and at worse severe injury. If you're curious to work on more positive reinforcement behaviors, speaking with a local dog trainer or animal behaviorist (specialists in behavior training specifically) is best as they can work with you in person on any specific problems you're having.

I'm so glad that you found a good training method for Timber. The problem with shock collars is that often people do not use them correctly. If you are shocking your dog inappropriately, they will get confused about what is going on and everyone will be frustrated with training. When used appropriately, shock collars can be a very effective training method. I'm so glad that it is working well for Timber, so you must be doing it right. Congrats! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I suggest you try a citronella bark collar as the first option. They work well in most cases and are not harmful. This is not a shock collar. This video should explain more about them and how they work. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXwstVpzALY&t=102s )