or rather the invisible electric fence that works with a collar.......does anyone know if / where I can buy this in Switzerland ?? we are moving there next year and I can buy one here if I won't get one when I am there.

Landi is a national chain of farm equipment stores, I would try there first.

All the dairy farmers round here have it, so I assume you can buy it somewhere.

EDIT: just saw your clarification. If I've understood this post of meloncollie's correctly, those are illegal to use in Switzerland.

For what purpose? You've posted in Pet corner -- are you bringing a pet cow?

There are plenty of electric fences in Switzerland, soon enough you'll encounter one as you wander across some farmer's lands on a hiking trail. So they must be available somewhere. But if you're thinking of keeping Rover in the yard with an electric fence ...

Aha, you edited your OP. Right, so a bark-stop collar. Search EF and ye shall find -- this has been asked before.

yes I was googling and I didn't want to be confused with the farm type fences. Its not a bark stop collar but the same principle. if the dog tries to leave the garden he gets a small shock. we are building a house next to a stream and I don't want to fence off the stream but equally don't want the dog jumping in there

Are pet cows a problem for you?

thanks for the post. I will get my husband to read the german bits later. not fair that all the farms have the strong electric fence and if out walking the dog would be in danger of being shocked by one but I can't have a low voltage one that stops my dog bounding out of the garden......
I am sure this is only the start of a long list of things I will discover I'm not allowed to do when we move to CH !!!

...and by searching you will find that such devises are illegal in Switzerland under the TSchV:

But just because this is something of a soapbox issue for me I'll point you in the right direction, from the Suzy Utizinger website which very helpfully gives a simplified summary of the revised law:

http://www.susyutzinger.ch/content/home/index.php?id=86

Geräte, die elektrisieren (inkl. unsichtbare elektrisierende Zaunsysteme) oder für den Hund sehr unangenehme akustische Signale aussenden oder mittels chemischer Stoffe wirken, dürfen nur ausnahmsweise von Personen mit einer behördlichen Bewilligung zu therapeutischen Zwecken eingesetzt werden. Der Einsatz muss dokumentiert und der kantonalen Behörde gemeldet werden. Erlaubt sind Dressurpfeifen und Klicker.

My very rough and likely mistake-laden translation:

Appliances which deliver an electric shock, inclucing an invisible electric fence system, or which send a uncomfortable acoutstic signal, or use chemicals, may not be used except by people with a permit from the relevant authorities, for theraputic purposes. The use must be documented and must be registered with the cantonal authorities. (Whistles and clickers are allowed.)

So no - unless you are a certified animal behaviorist duly registered with the canton and have a permit for its use - you may not use an invisible electric fence (nor a bark collar). These are forbidden for 'Hans Ueli Hundehalter' in Switzerland.


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ETA: Cross posted with MathNut - yep, not allowed.

Why can`t your dog jump in the stream?

With those shock collars, I always suggest that the owner first try it around their own neck - just to make sure how it works - to judge the level of shock.

Thank you - I guess a real fence it has to be then.......

Illegal, try training your dog rather the using barbaric punishments

well the other side of the stream is the street and I am planning on getting 2 boxers. I love boxers. But I am aware that many people are scared of dogs and didn't want to cause problems. Also husband is convinced there will be a rule about not allowing the dog in the stream...... I plan to have the doors to the house open during the time I am at home so the dogs can have free roam. I just wanted to avoid them liking the look of someone and darting off to say hello !!!

As long as they're house-trained, no.

Not sure, looks like moo-stop collars are illegal here...

there are a lot of things you cannot do and also a lot of things you must - has anybody told you about the mandatory training course yet?

And do make sure you understand the cantonal and local regulations for fencing...

For instance, in my corner of SZ, fences may be no higher than 120cm at the border, 2M if placed 1 meter back on the property line. (And yes, your neighbors will measure any fence you put up... don't even think of going to 121cm. )

My sheltie can jump 120 cm without even breaking a sweat. As can most dogs. So you might need to get creative with plantings or double fencing to ensure safety.

And in my neighborhood, one needs not only a permit from the Bauamt but also permission from the neighbors - not only those whose land adjoins to mine, but also all neighbors in the Quartier. Some neighborhood associations limit fencing further or forbid fences altogether. Mr Frost notwithstanding, good fences don't necessarily make good neighbors here.

(Although oddly enough, I am required under the Landwirtschaft regs to maintain a fence between my land and the adjoining farm to prevent the farmer's cows from getting onto the street. )

Put up the best fence your building code allows, but as BB says: training is the way forward. Join a Familienhund class - this is the easiest way to learn all about the rules and regs of dog ownership, while having fun with your pup and meeting other kindred souls.

And as Ullainga says, for each and every dog you acquire after 1 Sept 2008 you will need to take the SKN (Sachkundenachweis) course - this is a very basic course, plenty of info on other threads.

Oh, and don't forget to register your dog with the Gemeinde, schedule an appointment with the vet to register the dog's chip with ANIS, and pay the dog tax. We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

?? training course..... am still annoyed that I will have to sit a test to be able to play golf... despite a 24 handicap and having played for nearly 10 years...