So, as I mentioned previously, Simba has found a way to get out of our yard, by jumping the fence. We have found the spot where he makes the great escape, now...what to do? We have a chain link fence at that part....you can see where the fence is bent a bit from him getting over and the paw marks in the snow on the other side. Just doing some internet searching and see that we can make the fence higher....I think. Hubby would have to look at it as he is the one who will have to do the work. This would be my preferred option. However, there are a couple worries in this....we have chain link at this part beside the house, looking out into the cup-de-sac we live in, and also separating us from the neighbour on that side. All of that would have to be made higher. Along part of the back of the yard there is a wooden fence...it's higher than the chain link and I don't believe he can get over. Our yard backs onto the yard of the house on the back of us, so a wooden fence is necessary for privacy there. The other half of the yard at the back has a chain link with the slats in it - backs onto a different neighbour's yard. We have an odd-shaped plot!! Anyhow again, I don't think he can get over that fence....except at the far corner, where we have a compost pile, which he could climb up on and easily jump over if he wanted. This is where I initially thought he was getting over, but there's no footprints in the snow there! We also have another small section of wood fencing, right by the garage, where we have the gate to get out of the yard. I have seen him jump up with head and shoulders above that gate when we leave....he could probably get out over there if he really tried? So.....we could fix that part where we know he's getting out....but what's to stop him from trying out one of those other spots? The part with the compost pile I think we can block off .....maybe. Or just take the compost out. But the gate/fence? And the other length of chain link along the side? This could begin to get very expensive....and it's not like we have tons of excess cash. In fact, very little, to be honest. So.....hubs was wondering about the possibility of an underground electric perimeter fence..... ....seeing if that would be cheaper than making the chain link higher.... I understand his point....and honestly I just don't know about the feasibility of that or the expense, either. But my feeling is that I really don't like the idea of it. However, my hubby tends to be a little less "sentimental" about the pooch than me... he is a big softie in general and truly loves Simba, but he's not willing to bankrupt us in order to use one solution if another one can be used that is cheaper. Sigh. So...just wondering.....your opinions on "invisible" fencing? Anyone used it? I'm pretty sure I know what you all will say but as always, I value your input. We won't be doing anything until spring....too cold to work outside now and the ground is frozen, anyways so any digging is impossible. In the meantime we have to keep him inside when we go out....but he's starting to jump the fence during "short" visits to the yard, like this morning when Mark and I were out and Sarah wanted to have a shower - she had discovered him chewing on a purloined counter item so put him outside while she had a shower and he was out of the yard when she checked again, less than an hour later. He doesn't seem to go too far....but still....we can't risk it. Hard to know what to do.... :'(
Re: The Great Escaper When my dogs jumped out of the garden, I set it up that I was hidden on the other side and when they jumped over I appeared like a roaring ghost suddenly, they never did it again! The problem with the hidden electric fence is that if by chance the dog does get out, he will be very reluctant to come back in if he gets a shock, also I believe it is expensive.
Re: The Great Escaper Thinking out loud here does he need the run of the whole yard, could you build a secure kennel/run for him? I have heard that electric invisible fences don't always work....I think it was one of the rescue dogs from BRX but my memory may be playing tricks ( I still claim baby brain ) Can you crate him for short periods(like the shower) so that he doesn't steal off the counter and he's not outside with the potential for escape? I would worry that if you fix one exit point he'll just find another as he seems to feel rewarded for going AWOL. Fingers crossed you find the right resolution for you all x
Re: The Great Escaper [quote author=Stacia link=topic=3255.msg34981#msg34981 date=1384198359] When my dogs jumped out of the garden, I set it up that I was hidden on the other side and when they jumped over I appeared like a roaring ghost suddenly, they never did it again! [/quote] That is hilarious!
Re: The Great Escaper I think a smaller secure area sounds the thing. My garden is pretty secure, but I still have a bit of a dog area with very high wall on one side, and a high no dig fence on the other. It was easy though, as the garden is a sort of triangle and I just converted the narrow bit at the end. It does depends what's practical. Labrina has an outdoor pen and she posted some pics a while back... I don't know what others think, but Charlie doesn't stay in the garden for an hour - he would look for mischief for sure left that long. It no doubt varies hugely dog to dog though...
Re: The Great Escaper One of our neighbours had the electric collars for her escapee Beagle girls, with the perimeter cordon, seemed to work for her. Another of my neighbours dogs (a rescue) had major issues with collars and legging it off lead presumed as a result of an electric shock collar. A tricky subject. I think the secure "compound" might be worth considering. I think Labrina's was a bit of a DIY job done with limited materials and cash - worked for her. Don't think there is an easy solution for you though.
Re: The Great Escaper Same advice I think - better have a secure, safe kennel with run area in the garden, if he is going to escape or be destructive otherwise. I agree with Julie, I wouldn't leave Poppy running around alone in the garden for an hour either. Just asking for trouble, I think.
Re: The Great Escaper This might be the craziest idea ever but can he stay inside the house (or part of the house)? Does he need to be in the yard? Obi is indoors whenever we are not at home. That can be for up to 8 or 9 hours on Tuesdays and most Fridays.
Re: The Great Escaper Hmmm... Yes, we could look at a dog run....hadn't thought of that. I suppose I would worry a bit about barking/ howling if he was left too long? But on the whole this might be the answer. It's not like I envision Simba being left in the yard for extended periods of time on a regular basis. But there are times when it would be necessary, when we are gone for the day and can't take him. For now, we leave him inside - he doesn't have accidents in the house but by the time we get back we inevitably find something he has chewed, no matter how hard we try to dog-proof by the time we get back. So it would be nice to have some sort of an "outside" option for times like that, especially in the summer when the weather is nice. We could crate him inside for short periods....probably up to an hour, I would think. Haven't used the crate for longer periods....I guess that could be an option too. Thanks for the answers, everyone, good food for thought. Like I said, we do have some time to think about this....just have to make it through the winter now.....
Re: The Great Escaper Not sure if you have found Labrina's solution in a past post. http://www.thelabradorsite.com/forums/index.php/topic,2318.0.html Not sure your weather and hers (in Greece) is comparable so might need some adaptations ;D *thinking thermal lined crate LOL*
Re: The Great Escaper Yup, thermal lined would be just the thing.... With my previous dog, we would leave him in our insulated garage, in a crate that had a lot of blankets in it. He stayed warm enough, even when the temperatures got very cold outside it was always warmer in the garage and with the blankets in the crate he was fine. It would work great, even if it was a whole day. Can't do that with Simba, not yet at least. Too many things for him to chew and destroy in there....previous pooch would never dream of doing that, once he got old enough to know better. Not sure Simba will ever get there...... :
Re: The Great Escaper You might need your garage for other things...but I also can't leave Charlie where he can chew. So he stays in a tall metal pen. In Cornwall, this is a large stand alone pen (lashed to D bolts in the floor) in my laundry room. The was sold as as whelping pen. They also come with a roof, but I don't have one. They are just like massive crates really.
Re: The Great Escaper [quote author=Stacia link=topic=3255.msg34981#msg34981 date=1384198359] When my dogs jumped out of the garden, I set it up that I was hidden on the other side and when they jumped over I appeared like a roaring ghost suddenly, they never did it again [/quote] Just read this ,was chuckling away as we are having a nightmare with Dexter jumping over the wall onto the golf course as the next door neighbour has 3 cats.....Chris asked what I was laughing at.....now he thinks he's got a plan for later......he thinks!I'm more for ordering those sonic cat repellers ....have been looking into them the last couple of days..... Now,how to get him to lose interest in the pyramids of golf balls ......or train him to steal the one on the top....not one of the ones out of the middle .....Villa 98,is going to be named on the Club House Board as the houseful of hooligans! ???
Re: The Great Escaper When I had our garden fenced for the dogs the man who fenced it asked if I'd thought about the invisible electric fencing as a lot cheaper and works really well ( not sure why he was trying to do it cheaper for me? Although we do know him) Hed had two alsatians come running (not in a friendly way) at him that suddenly stopped. When the owner came out he said that's where the wire had been. They no longer needed the shock. Could you make your fencing taller by adding some strips of trellis horizantally along the top. It would add height but not block light or view and would be a lot cheaper than replacing the fence. I'm not sure about your chain link fence but it should work on the wooden fence areas and gate. Good luck I know what it's like trying to dog proof : Jen
Re: The Great Escaper I've been looking into how to make a chain link fence taller - it can be done by putting extensions on the posts and adding the extra chain link to it....I think....I'm not a handy-man so hubs will have to look into it and see. If feasible and not too extravagant in terms of price, this would be my preferred option. However, I discovered today that the chain link place is not the only place he's getting over....he's definitely going over the gate, too. Caught him red-handed, so to speak. This will require a new gate....sigh.... It's very frustrating that this is all coming to light now....when it's basically impossible to do any outdoor work. So somehow I have to make it through the (long) winter with a dog who can only go outside when he is on lead or in limited forays to the yard, when I am with him....and I have I mentioned that in order to go out one has to get fully dressed in winter gear?? No popping outside to keep an eye on him in my bathrobe first thing in the morning, not when it's -20C outside....not at those temps yet but definitely -10C in the AM or close to it these days...blah.....
Re: The Great Escaper Those who are cotemplating an electric collar, just check the legality of them in your area. They are illegal in the state that I live in. I'm sure you can raise the fence and gate height, Lisa - that is, I'm sure there's a physical way to do to. The inconvenience and expense that are still pretty painful bits though.....
Re: The Great Escaper I can sympathise with having a dog you can only take out on a lead Lisa. Because we are on a farm and the back yard is not enclosed I just let mine out off lead never have. Thankfully although you have my full sympathy with the -20 temperatures I have never experienced that. I will think of you though when I complain of it being cold at -5 or something and remember compared to you it's just a bit chilly. Jen
Re: The Great Escaper Blimey Lisa ,your challenges are the same as mine in the summer here but at the total other end of temperature scale. ....I managed by walking Dexter early morning....a big walk in terms of the 5 minute rule....and then a couple of indoor activity sessions throughout the day...that's what got us through not being able to go outside a lot.....he slept then the rest of the day around visitors,doorbells and similar excitements.next summer will be my challenge when he's older and fitter ......it's not going to be easy but I think Simba will adapt to being indoors more,he's always been a bit resistant to being out in the yard hasn't he?ah,but has that all changed now he has the thrill of the escape? We manage Dexter with him not being allowed outside unsupervised.....he's over the wall onto the golf course like a racehorse otherwise.you will pick your way through this for sure ,one more Simba challenge .... -10 shiver,shiver, 23 here in the morning,I'm just coming into my blissful weather thank goodness x
