[Obgrfbke]

Oh well, I suppose it's what they do.

The bear apparently entered my electronic fence perimeter and the pits chased him out. The female ("Peaches") stopped at the fence line but "Hank" went through and tree'd the bear in a large Popular.

We brought both back inside and found a few puncture wounds, likely from the bear's claws. Fortunately, nothing serious. My elderly husky cross had the good sense to stay out of the action.

[dushappeaps]

I do not think you are a bad dog owner, just cause you can't afford a fence. It sounds like you love your dogs. Fences are optional, and a lot of times it causes owners to be less vigilant about watching their dogs.

I suggested the out door kennel "if" they were outside dogs and you were worried about their safety. I know a lot of people that have outdoor dogs down here and no fences. They love their dogs. If they don't leave their property and are taken care of, there shouldn't be anyone saying a word about their proper care.

Trust me, a black bear will climb/ knock over an 8ft or higher fence if they know there are berries on the other side. If some people here think chicken wire, a wood fence, or even welded wire will keep a bear out, they are wrong.

[Dkavtbek]

Seriously people! Who are you to judge? How do you know that the OP does not live in the North Woods on 1000 acres of land? How in the world would you or could you fence that in? People come from all walks of life and have different living situations. What will work for someone that lives on 1 acre is totally different situation from someone that lives on thousands. And, I also ask any one of you this, who of you live close enough to bears to actually have them come up onto the land where your home is situated? IT WAS A BEAR!!!
OP, I'm glad your dogs are alright.

[denyffishh]

I'm on the side of the fence (no pun intended) that the dogs were doing their job. I would say, however, if you have a small garden or would just like to not always watch your dogs, you could put up a suburban size yard around your house, inside your property? So you'd have a small yard, and then all your land? That was my set up when I was in the horse business and we have issues here more with coyotes and hogs than anything else.

[DrBrightonone]

Oh, and in the case of bears, and other large, dangerous, omnivorous wildlife, I'd rather have my dogs loose on the electric fence perimetered property than kenneled (the separate yard would be ideal... but as stated before, if the bear wants in, he's getting in, and a yard near the house would mean grills reeking of meat and cooked fat, trash cans nearby, gardens, berry bushes etc... even if it's just in the vicinity of the yard, you never know if you have a ballsy curious bear willing to go near the house/in the yard). I'd rather give the dogs a chance to escape instead of trapping them in a kennel as bear snacks.

[maclaudser]

I don't think a fence is absolutely necessary but ash electric fence will not do the job reliably in my opinion, I know dachshunds that will charge through an electric fence, let alone a bull breed. I'd invest in a chain spot personally.

I wish we had more bears around here. I'd love to put Abbey on one and see how she does. I'm a coonhound fan and they're awesome bear dogs, if we had more bears I'd have to get me one.

[ZanazaKar]

Oh, and in the case of bears, and other large, dangerous, omnivorous wildlife, I'd rather have my dogs loose on the electric fence perimetered property than kenneled (the separate yard would be ideal... but as stated before, if the bear wants in, he's getting in, and a yard near the house would mean grills reeking of meat and cooked fat, trash cans nearby, gardens, berry bushes etc... even if it's just in the vicinity of the yard, you never know if you have a ballsy curious bear willing to go near the house/in the yard). I'd rather give the dogs a chance to escape instead of trapping them in a kennel as bear snacks.

fencing doesnt do jack squatt for bears. or deer.. or god knows half the wildlife around. lol


hey look! fencing! lol

[Dkavtbek]

my dogs have treed bears before, black bears are usually big pussy's and will run from almost any dog, but there are the exceptions, at the vets office a guy came in with a golden all torn up by a bear, but she cornered it against the house. i can't really avoid bears, i don't have the money to get a fence to take in all of my property, and i don't really want a fence, my dogs will stop if i tell them too, but they keep things away from me when i'm hiking and stuff.There are dogs who are bred to chase bears away GRIZZLY bears, maybe it makes me irresponsible that i'm not getting a fence? i don't know i don't have the money for that stuff.

[DrBrightonone]

Seriously! what if i wanted my dogs to chase bears away from the berries, what if it was MY garden, and i got dogs to keep vermin out, if i provided all them with proper care what's the problem? Dogs doing what the dog is suppose to. I mean that isn't what i got my dogs for but still, there are people who have dogs for that very reason. There are dogs in Africa protecting livestock and villages from big cats. Why don't we just tell all of them to get a fence to "Keep them out" LOL

Or if you take your dogs out at night and they run off a bear in your trash/lurking around the yard etc that you didn't know about?

Seriously people, these are DOGS. Just like bears are BEARS.

Regardless of breed and traits, all I read was some dogs doing their job, protecting home and property from a dangerous animal. Even though a couple got punctured, I'm sure those dogs were so damn proud and pleased with themselves that it was worthy of a page in the photo album.

I know I'd be pretty pissed at my dogs if there was a bear on my land, and they didn't do dick about it but slink away and cower behind me. SMH.

[DrBrightonone]

Gawd, this is turning into such a fur mommy forum. I certainly hope the dogs had on their sweaters and booties before they chased off that scary bear.

[bestonlinepharmasy2]

Or if you take your dogs out at night and they run off a bear in your trash/lurking around the yard etc that you didn't know about?

Seriously people, these are DOGS. Just like bears are BEARS.

Regardless of breed and traits, all I read was some dogs doing their job, protecting home and property from a dangerous animal. Even though a couple got punctured, I'm sure those dogs were so damn proud and pleased with themselves that it was worthy of a page in the photo album.

I know I'd be pretty pissed at my dogs if there was a bear on my land, and they didn't do dick about it but slink away and cower behind me. SMH.

YES. These dogs were proving their worth. They did a job and I would reward them heavily for it!

[TainuibeFaimb]

Yikes! Scary stuff. Livin with the bears is nerve wracking I too live in a heavily bear populated area! Most of the time the bears don't wanna be bothered but sometimes u get that one wit a lotta nerve lol! My Tye saw his first bear last week. He had no idea what to make of it! Lol. I'm glad everyone is safe!

[DrBrightonone]

Give those dogs a steak for doing their JOBS!!!!

And guys, seriously, I'm pretty sure a BEAR could get through a kennel, a fence etc if it felt so inclined... and if the dogs want to chase or tree it, they can clear a fence to do so. I'm sure the OP is aware of the dangers, and is willing to accept any consequences.

[Petrushkaukrop]

Jamie dont bother. One day he will have a horrible encounter and will come wanting us to say how sorry we are because he is the reason one of his dogs got killed.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Xparent Pink Tapatalk 2

[bestonlinepharmasy2]

Im not talking about shooting the bear! Lol. Im talking about the noise to spook it and there are many other way to spook a wild animal from your property without having to sick your dogs on them. I have had small livestock before and i have had wild animals trying to get them. Doesnt matter what it is. If you do not care to spook it fence in everything and at least kennel the dogs outside. Im sure they will tell you when a bear is on you property without having to endanger your dogs. And they still do their job.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Xparent Pink Tapatalk 2

Lovepup.... your name is very fitting at this moment.
These dogs definitely enjoyed the job they did today, no need for this kind of sensitivity. You own a fucking bull dog not a Pekingese.

[Ccddfergt]

Holy crap...lucky they weren't killed. Crazy dogs :P

[dushappeaps]

Some people do not like fences... I still hate my neighbors dogs coming on my property, but I love sitting on my Lani watching the deer, seeing a Florida panther wander by, bobcats, bear, etc... It is something most people never get a chance to see. I even enjoy watching the coyotes, from a distance. Some people move into the country to be part of it, not block it all away. We were going to fence our yard in after incidences with the neighbors dogs and our chickens, but we have decided against it. We would miss so much of our way of life. My dogs, well they just never, ever go outside without us. Would they chase something if we weren't watching, sure, they are dogs, so we are just extra vigilant.

To the OP; glad your dogs weren't seriously hurt. Are they outside all the time? If not and there are bear around you, I would only let them out with supervision. A momma bear will kill for her cubs. If they are outside dogs, maybe a good size kennel for at night when bears are most active. At least your dogs would be safe.

[DrBrightonone]

Trust me, a black bear will climb/ knock over an 8ft or higher fence if they know there are berries on the other side. If some people here think chicken wire, a wood fence, or even welded wire will keep a bear out, they are wrong.

Exactly. OP had an electric fence..... obviously when you're dealing with an animal that size (even a black bear, it's still a fucking BEAR) a fence is no more than a costly deterrent. Seems to me there was a time not long ago that people had dogs for this type of situation....hmmmm.

[agrismhig]

Gawd, this is turning into such a fur mommy forum. I certainly hope the dogs had on their sweaters and booties before they chased off that scary bear.

Just because there are a couple members with different views doesn't = the whole forum is turning all fur mommy LOL.

Anyway. Saying that just because someone doesn't have a fence means they shouldn't have dogs (or means they can't afford a basic essential for them) is just ridiculous. Many people don't have fences and take great care of their dogs.

As others have said, fencing isn't going to do much to deter a bear if they really want something that is inside the fence.