You have decided it is time to educate yourself on preventing a dog from scaling a fence because the streets are no place for an unsupervised pet. We understand that you would rather not have your pet sent to the shelter (or worse, run over) under any circumstances.
The reason your dog is trying to escape from his confinement like Houdini is crucial to fixing the problem. Learning the causes may help you avoid costly and time-consuming corrective measures.
All dogs have the potential to escape, but some breeds are more inclined to do so than others. These include dogs with a reputation for digging or jumping, such as Siberian huskies or border collies. Similar to how a hunting dog, such as a rat terrier, may chase squirrels or other rodents out of the yard, a hunting breed dog will likely do the same.
If the dog is always sneaking out of the yard, they need more mental and physical excitement and more private space. A bed outside, in a patio or screened-in area, plus some balls or toys, would fit the bill.
Also, a dog walker can be hired to visit the house once or twice daily. Experts are out there, but you can also hire a neighbor who is probably an adult or at least a mature teen. The trend of boarding dogs in a facility where they can play with other puppies and be kept secure from harm is also rising.
How Do I Stop My Puppy From Jumping The Fence?
- Fencing can be raised to a greater height. A fence of at least six feet is recommended for large dog breeds, and an eight-foot barrier may be necessary for exceptional athletes. To raise the fence height without breaking the bank, you can either have it replaced or install vertical fence extenders. This is your safest bet if your dog can easily breach your fence.
- Alter the layout of your outdoor space. For example, if your dog likes to sprint and jumps over the fence, you can assist in keeping him contained by making his approach to the barrier slower. Dog-friendly landscaping along the fence could involve placing small shrubs, plants, or even larger objects like furniture.
- The bottom of the fence should be reinforced with wire. To effectively confine dogs, install chicken wire in an l-shape around the bottom of the fence and out over several feet at the base. Chicken wire can be left exposed, or it can be buried for aesthetic purposes. Remember that your dog can harm his paws by trying to tunnel through metal wire, so keep an eye on your puppy for a while after installation.
Why Does My Dog Break The Fence?
Digging is a popular escape tactic for dogs like terriers and dachshunds, but it cannot be easy to stop. You know how fast these escapes can happen if you have a heavy pupper digger at home, so precautions must be taken.
A squirrel lurking on the other side of the fence could persuade your dog to escape. Scent hounds can have the same problem if they pursue their noses past the yard’s boundaries, but it’s more common in sighthounds.
For instance, beagles have a reputation for wandering. So if your dog would be content to peek out at the world beyond the fence, installing a transparent panel could solve your separation anxiety.
It’s boring to spend time in the backyard playing the same old games. Any dog can become bored, but intelligent or active breeds are more prone to the problem since they require mental and physical stimulation.
Your dog will become lonely if he is left outside alone for long periods. One option is to find a friendly dog, but the other is to find a human willing to give a back rub.
Your dog may go into a protective frenzy if he thinks someone or something is trying to harm him outside the fence, and he may even try to find a way to escape the yard and attack the presumed intruder. This is especially prevalent in guardian dog breeds and may put the target in danger.
How Do You Fence A Puppy?
- The fence’s footing needs to be secured. If you want to make digging more difficult, you can lengthen the staves, build an L-footer, or set up gravel, shrubs, a cement footer, or anything else you can think of.
- Lift up the fence and make it taller. You should also think about your landscaping, since your dog could be able to climb over the fence if there are any trees, shrubs, or outdoor furniture your dog can use as a climbing surface.
- Building a second fence around the property is a good idea. Adding another ring of fence around the property’s perimeter or just the gate is one option.
- Cover your dog’s eyes to prevent them from seeing anything. In addition, you can minimize your dog’s desire to escape by blocking their view of the fence line with planks, dense netting, or a solid wall.
Can You Train A Dog Not To Jump A Fence?
Your dog will be motivated to climb over the fence again if it knows that doing so will lead to the reward of freedom. What’s more, his accomplishment only encourages him to keep doing it.
A dog’s habit of jumping a fence is both annoying and potentially dangerous. Dogs who leap up on people and other animals are a hazard to the safety of everyone around them. If you want to keep your pooch from escaping into the street, you should train her not to jump.
To lessen the dog’s jumping, have it spayed or neutered. Dogs who haven’t been spayed or neutered typically run away in an effort to satisfy their hormones, but if they’re altered, they’re less likely to wander off.
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. Give your dog ample walks and play sessions to relieve extra energy; otherwise, it may become destructive and jump the fence to run amok in the neighborhood.
Train the dog to ignore things when told to. For example, put the dog’s stuffed toy on the floor and have him sit. Don’t stop the dog from sniffing the toy; instead, tell him to “leave it” as soon as he tries to play with it. Once his attention is on you, reward him with a snack. Repetition of the “leave it” order will teach the dog to immediately stop paying attention to an object when he hears it.
Under your close supervision, please let the dog go around the yard. Tell him in a strong, commanding voice to “leave it” as he reaches the barrier. You can use treats to encourage the dog to return to you if you call him. This will educate the dog that responding to his name and coming closer to the fence will earn him a reward and keep him from trying to escape through the fence.
Lift up the fence and make it taller. Many dogs can be discouraged from jumping with positive reinforcement alone, but a higher fence will keep even the most determined canine in its place.
