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{"id":6150,"date":"2020-10-27T16:02:53","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T16:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starpetstore.com\/?p=6150"},"modified":"2021-03-02T11:35:35","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T11:35:35","slug":"five-ways-to-make-your-dogs-yard-safe-and-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpetstore.com\/five-ways-to-make-your-dogs-yard-safe-and-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Ways to Make Your Dog’s Yard Safe and Fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A “viewport” in the fence is perfect for this senior gentleman, who wouldn’t dream of barking at every passerby. But it could cause real problems for a dog who is more reactive to passing joggers, bicyclists, and dog-walkers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Given the sensible advice to socially distance, what better time to create a safe, at-home haven for your dog? Here are five ways you can increase your dog\u2019s (and your own!) enjoyment of your yard.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0<\/strong>Invest in a good fence. A secure fence is the most critical element of a safe place for your dog to potty, play, train, and just hang out. Sometimes a dog owner will tell me, \u201cWe don\u2019t need a fenced yard; we have a large property for the dog to run on.\u201d I explain that while my husband and I live on about 300 acres, we have fenced a much smaller area next to our home so we have an absolutely<\/em> safe place for them to be outdoors without supervision.<\/p>\n

What type of fence? There are many to choose from, including chain link or other wire fencing, wood, composite, or plastic. It\u2019s up to your budget, your aesthetic preferences, your location (homeowner\u2019s associations may limit your options), and your dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do I include \u201cyour dog\u201d on the list of factors that will affect your choice of fencing? The height of the fence is most obvious; if you have small dogs, you may not need a six-foot fence. But if you\u2019ve got leggy dogs known for their interest in chasing game (ahem, hounds), a six-foot fence might not be secure without an inwardly angled section or \u201ccoyote rollers\u201d at the top.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Height isn\u2019t all there is to it, however. Some dogs enjoy their ability to see through a wire fence, and never get excited by passersby on bikes, skateboards, or on foot. Other dogs might lose their minds when faced with this much stimuli. Also, if there are dogs next door, their presence and\/or behavior on the other side of the fence may be frustrating for your dog. In these instances, a solid privacy fence may be advisable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your dog is a digger, you may need to bury wire fencing along your fence line, or build the fence on a concrete pad or path. Digging out may not occur to some dogs ever, but others may detect any sign of light under the fence and get to work digging out immediately!<\/p>\n

Think carefully about the type of gate that is used to access the area. It should be easy for you to open (especially when you have only one hand free, with a leash in the other) but not at all easy for your dog to open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Just Say No to ‘Fenceless Fences’<\/p>\n

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Note that when I say fence, I do mean a real, physical<\/em> fence. Electric fences (a.k.a. \u201cshock fences\u201d) may keep your dog in but can\u2019t keep other animals out\u00a0 <\/span>\u2013 that is, critters who could harm your pet, aggressive stray dogs, or even a human who could steal or harass your dog).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, if your dog is motivated sufficiently to chase something, she could go through and then likely would not return, scared to try to cross the boundary now that she\u2019s not overstimulated by chasing something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last but not least, a dog that gets zapped for coming close to the boundary to investigate a passing jogger, bicyclist,\u00a0 <\/span>or other dog is likely to begin to associate those with punishment and may develop fear and\/or aggression related to those previously neutral stimuli.<\/p>\n

Need more convincing? See these past WDJ articles:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

2.\u00a0<\/strong>Consider the flora. Are there parts of your yard that you don\u2019t want to be disturbed? In this case, a lower level of decorative fencing may make the most sense \u2013 and keep you from tensing up every time you see your dog approach your award-winning roses or dahlias.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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