Lewie'sMom Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 The fence man finished installing the new fence on Saturday; six foot tall, brown vinyl-clad chain link with two walk-through gates and one ten-foot double gate. Lewie hadn’t figured out that he wasn’t on his tie-out anymore to potty so yesterday I had to show him. I walked to the middle of the yard and called him. He started walking toward me very cautiously, waiting to reach the end of his lead. He took one tentative step, then another, past the radius he was familiar with. He finally realized he was no longer confined to a twenty-foot area. Oh, my goodness, what a happy dog! He ran, lickity-split, around the yard, through the weed flower bed, into the woods, (I’m on the edge of a gully) and back, stopping just long enough to mark the new fence by the back gate, (yes, baby, it’s your fence!). Then he ran happy circles around my large old trumpet vine so fast all I could do was laugh at him. He tried to get the cats to play with him but they just hid under the trumpet vine. He is having such a good time exploring his own yard I just love watching him. I no longer have to worry about unleashed dogs coming into the yard to relieve themselves or harass Lewie. It’s gonna be a great summer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Yay for you and Lewie. You're both gonna love your new, secure yard! J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Just a word of warning. Put locks on the gates. A week after I had my fence finished, I got a call from some motorist that they found one of my dogs running around on the road up the street from my house (which is almost a highway). I discovered that someone had opened my gate and left it open. Sure glad I have a fence My other dog ran around the house and sat at the front door. I was very lucky nothing bad happened. I now have locks on both gates with a key hanging on a nail INSIDE the yard. A fence is only as secure as the gates. edt: They were not unattended, I just got home from work, let them out, came in the house to change, and my phone rang... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Congrats on the new fence! Even though I always go out with my dogs, it is so nice to have a place where they are safe to play freely and relax in peace. I don't keep a lock on my fence because I have guys who mow for me, but really good pointer from Brad to make sure your gate is latched. A couple times, the lawn guys or work men have left the gate open while they were still on my property. That's where a good recall on your dog comes in handy if you're there to see the Great Escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzysdad Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 That's great! I just put up a fence for Izzy last week. It's a 5 foot chainlink that closes off the woods/wetlands in my backyard. If she ever disapeared in there I'd never be able to get her. It's a relief to know they can have free run and really enjoy being outside and be safe! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louboo Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Just a word of warning. Put locks on the gates. I agree. Depending on where you live, sometimes neighborhood kids find it humorous let people's dogs loose. Happened to a friend of mine. We keep locks on our gates just because of kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmyd65 Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 We also put up a fence in February. Layla loves to run her laps around the yard. Also loves stalking the squirrels and birds that occasionally venture in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Happy fence owner here too Since we're on the subject of warnings, another thing to watch out for is other people who are allowed to be opening your gates and coming in and out but somehow manage to forget to close them. My parents lost a dog to a workman who neglected to close a gate. It's good to get in the habit of conducting a gate check each time you let the dog(s) out into the yard, and not letting the dog(s) have yard access when people are actively using the gates. Fenced yards are great, but they encourage you to let your guard down because they work so well, so you have to have little rituals to catch the occasional gate error. In fact, I myself even managed to leave a gate wide open when I left for work (through a different egress) a few weeks back. By that time, the dogs were well used to a secure yard and apparently never noticed (thankyouthankyouthankyou). They're not runners (they sleep all day to conserve their energy for manic outbursts when I get home), but we're surrounded by livestock and wildlife, so even a causal stroll on their part could easily have an unfortunate outcome. Anyway, I loved your description of Lewie discovering and taking command of his new empire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Love fences myself I have one that encloses most of my property and es I do keep the gates secure. There are also a couple of signs. "My dogs can reach the fence in 3 seconds, can you?" and "Never mind the dogs. Beware the vicious bastard, Me!" Still you should bondary train your dogs to the parts of the property that are not fenced, like the front in my case and not to go through a door until gven the OK. Neither of my dogs will leave the garage if it's open. Unfortunately if I let Jin out front he still likes to go across the street to play. Needs more boundary training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pansmom Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Since we're on the subject of warnings, another thing to watch out for is other people who are allowed to be opening your gates and coming in and out but somehow manage to forget to close them. My parents lost a dog to a workman who neglected to close a gate. It's good to get in the habit of conducting a gate check each time you let the dog(s) out into the yard, and not letting the dog(s) have yard access when people are actively using the gates. Fenced yards are great, but they encourage you to let your guard down because they work so well, so you have to have little rituals to catch the occasional gate error. YEAH I totally check the fence EVERY TIME I LET PAN OUT. We have a six foot wooden privacy fence that I installed for her last summer (she LOVES it!!! happy fence owner here too) but she escaped a month or so ago one night because the latch wasn't completely shut and went cartwheeling (caterwauling? she was literally leaping and twirling) across our and the neighbors' front yards, to and fro. Thankfully although her recall isn't perfect she will ALWAYS run into the car if you open the car door so that's what I did. I called her and walked up to the car and opened the door. Neat trick. Even if your dog's recall isn't 100%, if they love cars, you can trick them into coming home. (Of course, that night, I went ahead and took her for a drive around the neighborhood so she didn't catch on... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pansmom Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Love fences myself I have one that encloses most of my property and es I do keep the gates secure. There are also a couple of signs. "My dogs can reach the fence in 3 seconds, can you?" and "Never mind the dogs. Beware the vicious bastard, Me!" Still you should bondary train your dogs to the parts of the property that are not fenced, like the front in my case and not to go through a door until gven the OK. Neither of my dogs will leave the garage if it's open. Unfortunately if I let Jin out front he still likes to go across the street to play. Needs more boundary training. My fence is signposted also. BEWARE OF DOG. ATTACK CAT. (The ATTACK CAT sign is my favorite, as it has a very foreboding looking black spiky cat on it, in honor of my deceased kitty who really was an attack cat--not intentionally of course--now that I look back on him I wonder if he was fear aggressive, though he never laid a paw on moi...) And of course all my neighbors know my dog is "in therapy" and has bitten, so no one would dare approach her or unlatch the fence unsupervised by me or my husband... Anyway, wow, I'm impressed with this "boundary training" concept... Never heard of it... ??? More info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerfulgazelle Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 *I am sitting here right now doing the palm-to-forehead "I could have had a V8!" maneuver. Pansmom: With Kip's misadventures with front door not latched/blown open, I have tried everything from pro football tackles, to luring with another dog, to slowpitch softball with whole hotdogs to catch the loose dog. The car!!! Why did I not think of the car???!! Thanks for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pansmom Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 *I am sitting here right now doing the palm-to-forehead "I could have had a V8!" maneuver. Pansmom: With Kip's misadventures with front door not latched/blown open, I have tried everything from pro football tackles, to luring with another dog, to slowpitch softball with whole hotdogs to catch the loose dog. The car!!! Why did I not think of the car???!! Thanks for that! Yeah when she was a puppy and got loose from me a couple times, I tried meat, all kinds of things. Then one day it hit me. THE CAR. I have only had to use it a couple of times but it does NOT fail. She LEAPS in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewie'sMom Posted June 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 I do plan to lock the double gate, which is the closest to the troublesome neighbors. I've watch the kids riding their bikes up and down the alley, eyeing the fence and Lewie. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before they get up the gall to help themselves inside. Lewie is never outside unless I'm with him. So far, I've remembered to check all three gates when I get home to make sure they're secure before I let him out. I still can't bear to leave him unattended while he's outside. I have nearly two years of standing sentry under my belt and it's a hard habit to break. Even if I'm in the house, I'm standing at the window watching him to make sure he's safe. When he disappears into the little patch of woods I have to go outside and listen to make sure I can hear him rustling around. Usually, he's working at breaking off a small branch from the undergrowth. He'll pop out of the woods and prance around the yard with the limb in his mouth like it was an award of some kind. He's so proud of himself! I love my sweet LewieLewie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Anyway, wow, I'm impressed with this "boundary training" concept... Never heard of it... ??? More info? Boundary training is one of the most important lessons I have taught my dogs. It's quick, effective and and if done right 100%. it's especially useful if your dogs are not 100% on recall. I'll try to write the method down. Where: Anywhere there is a threshold a dog can see such as across a doorway, the concrete expansion joint between the garage and driveway or the curb. Also usi8ng blue masking tape you can create a line on te ground and when your dog learns where it is you can pick it up so no more tape. Start with your bait bag and a handful of treats. With your dog on lead (this says we're going out) go to the front door and give him a sit stay open the door and walk out. If you have someone to help have them hold your dog inside the door. Go out of the door 8 or 10ft and have them let the dog go or wait for the dog to cross over the threshold. As soon as a foot is over the threshold you charge your dog with a body/foot block telling them "Inside, get back there, NO" or whatever so they get the iudea they are hnot supposed to come out and they retreat to the other side of the threshold. It doesn't matter if they sit stand go do something else as long as they are inside the door. Of course as long as they are on the other side of the door give them treats and a good dog with a scratch. If the try to cross the boundary you have set stomp them back in. As long as they are inside the boundary it's treat time and praise, cross the line and no yu can overreact chasing them back in. There is no need to touch your dog during this exercise and this is one of the few times you can let your frustrations out on your dog. Once they have accepted the boundary you should be able to go out to the car, retrieve the mail, anything and they won't go through the door. To release them through the door walk them out on lead with a release command of some sort. I have one for each dog. Jin's is "to the car" (said as one word) and for Mookie it's; "time for a ride". Example: Jin is at the door and I walk out. He follows, I turn around staring at him traight in the face and in a loud voice I say, "No you don't get back in there" as I take a few aggressive steps toward him in effect pushing him back through the door. On longer boundaries like property lines, garage doors you need to teach do not cross here in 4ft areas that overlap and cover each inch because a VC will find an area not covered and use that to cross the boundary. You can create a boundary in a few minutes wherever there is a place where the dog can tell the diff between one side and another like the tile and wood at the kitchen boundary. You can also teach your dogs that there aree certain times they may cross a boundary. In our house they may not come into the kitchen during food prep but may come in for water, snacks and meals. To give yu an idea how easy this is Jin at 5 months learned front door boundary in 20 mins. Abby (aka Mookie) learned this in less time than Jin and she's 7yrs old. I consider boundary training a prime lesson like come, sit and stay. Let me know if you want anymore info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnLloydJones Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Boundary training is one of the most important lessons I have taught my dogs. Mmm, interesting. I have done a more restricted version of this with Senneca and the backyard gate. The gate -- and the path leading to it -- are absolutely no-go territory. So much so that the other day, the lock on the front door lock jammed and I thought we would just go out for our walk via the back and fix it when we came back. I couldn't get her to come with me to the gate; no way, she just sat and refused to budge. In the end, I had to find the spare garage door opener and go out through the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 How much restriction on a boundary line there is depends on the particular boundary. The front door is an "no go" unless released. The back gate is an absolute and garage thresholds are provisional boundary meaning they can cross when given permission. The front yard bou7ndary is an absolute "no go" or will be when I finish the training there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pansmom Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 How much restriction on a boundary line there is depends on the particular boundary. The front door is an "no go" unless released. The back gate is an absolute and garage thresholds are provisional boundary meaning they can cross when given permission. The front yard bou7ndary is an absolute "no go" or will be when I finish the training there. That is really interesting. Not safe (or compassionate) to try on Pan right now, but interesting nonetheless maybe to think about a milder version later in consult with Dr. Haug or at least with another dog anyway. I didn't know you could teach dogs that sort of thing. But it makes sense especially herding dogs, who are so habituated to territory and place. Thanks for the education! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OurBoys Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Congrats on the fencing!! I too love your description of Lewie when he finally realized he had 'freedom'! Whenever someone brings a dog over for the 1st time, I can't help but smile when they realize they have running room. It does a heart good to see the happiness on their face. Like the others, we have to remember to make sure the gates are closed. While reading this thread, an idea popped into my mind. I think I'll ask DH about installing a spring on ours. Maybe something like what they have on storm doors. That way if we have to leave the door opened for any reason, it'll have that stop on it. Thanks for starting this thread!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewie'sMom Posted June 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Congrats on the fencing!! I too love your description of Lewie when he finally realized he had 'freedom'! Whenever someone brings a dog over for the 1st time, I can't help but smile when they realize they have running room. It does a heart good to see the happiness on their face. Like the others, we have to remember to make sure the gates are closed. While reading this thread, an idea popped into my mind. I think I'll ask DH about installing a spring on ours. Maybe something like what they have on storm doors. That way if we have to leave the door opened for any reason, it'll have that stop on it. Thanks for starting this thread!! It was my pleasure, believe me! Brenda, your tag line makes me think of one of my favorite books that I've had forever, Brian Kilcommon's Good Owner's, Great Dogs. I was looking for my copy just the other day and coudn't find it. I sure I didn't loan it to somebody and forgot about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OurBoys Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Brenda, your tag line makes me think of one of my favorite books that I've had forever, Brian Kilcommon's Good Owner's, Great Dogs. Thanks for the tip! My mom wants me to go to the bookstore and get her a couple of books. I think I'll see if they also have this one. I would love to be able to loan it out to a friend if they are having a problem with their puppy/dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaisingRiver Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 I also boundary train my dogs to the car. NO dog gets out of the car without my express permission. Know a trainer who's car door flew open while driving and her trained dog didn't bat an eye and stayed in the car. So I decided it was easy enough to train. Nice to not have dogs bolt out as you open the car door too. Just make sure you aren't talking to your DH at a 7-11 in another country (canada) with the dogs in the minivan, with the slider door open, as he asks you to get something and you reply, 'ok' and your young pup thought you were releasing her from the car (ok is my release word) and you have to catch her by the body as she bolts (River). Heh. This is a good reminder to reinforce Aero's boundary to the open gate. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 The car boundary is actually the first one they learn. Do not leave the car until released. Another thing is I never use the word OK for anything especially a release. Preferred release words are Alright, Goto(wordhere) said as a single word, now, get... I know I have a couple of others. Different release words for each dog. I'll say this about boundary training. I've had one dog killed because he jumped a fence and another that got out and never returned also going over a fence. That's when I became interested in doing it and learned how to do a failsafe boundary. As long as they are on the right side of the boundary good dog. Cross that line and your doggie butt is mine. It works wonders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewie'sMom Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Hey Brenda, I hope you haven't gone to the bookstore yet. Another book I bought eons ago and gleened a lot of good down-to-earth information from is: Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Kipp loves to fly through doors when they open (coming in from outside, going outside, getting up in the morning) I make him wait all the time now. It's hilarious when I go downstairs in the mornings now. Kipp heels all the way, but he's so bouncy about it! He'll get a couple feet ahead of me and I'll say "hey" and he'll flip himself right back around by my side. It only took about 3 morning of really enforcing this before he automatically waited for me to leave my room in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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