Congratulations! You’re bringing home a new furry friend. You may have bought all the essentials — a bed, food, a collar. You’re totally prepared… but is your yard? Likely not. Now’s the time to roll up your sleeves and get to work making sure your outdoor space is just as puppy-proof as your indoors.
Step 1: Know Your Dog
Whether you adopted from a rescue, from a trusted friend or breeder, or if Fido more or less fell in your lap, it’s important to get to know your dog. When you let them outside, will they stick by your side or take off into the neighbor’s yard without warning?
Certain breeds have a reputation for running for the hills, jumping fences with ease, or digging their escape route. Knowing this information about the breed of your dog could save you a headache in the future.
Step 2: Fence It In
No matter the breed of your dog, having some kind of enclosed barrier is the safest, surest way to protect your pup from staging an escape. It can also help protect from outside predators such as coyotes or other neighboring animals.
For smaller pups, consider a puppy-proof picket fence. The pickets at the bottom portion of the fence are closer together than other similar designs to prevent little guys from wiggling out through gaps. For bigger dogs, consider taller fencing — even privacy fencing — to keep even the most accomplished hurdlers from clearing the fence.
Think about what portion of your yard you want to fence in. Do you want the whole yard enclosed, leaving room for Fido to run freely? Or would you rather give your pup a smaller portion of your yard and keep the rest poo-free? In other words, the right fence installation can give you real peace of mind… free from the stress of navigating through dog poop.
Step 3: So, You Think You Can DIY?
Do you trust your handyman skills against your dog’s escape tactics? Do you want to risk a mistake that leads to a breakout?
Fencing professionals understand how to prevent jailbreaks from your furry friend. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting a professional consultation. They can advise on fence placement, size, and the needs of your pup.
A Note On “Invisible Fences”
You may have seen your neighbors install “invisible fences.” We, along with many other professionals in the animal and fencing industry, caution against these fences. Dogs are smart and can learn to outsmart the mechanisms used to keep them inside these invisible barriers, whether it be braving the shock for something worth the “reward” or taking advantage of a worn-out battery on their collar.
Additionally, invisible fences do not prevent outsiders from coming in, whether it be other animals or people. There’s not much an invisible fence can do to protect your dog or your home against someone with bad intentions.
Unfortunately, the fences have been shown to potentially cause adverse reactions. Some dogs can develop skin irritation or wounds from the prongs on their collar that the shock is delivered through. Also, the delivery of shocks can induce a multitude of unwanted behavioral problems ranging from aggression to fear and anxiety.
For projects in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, or Southwestern New York contact the experts at Nobility Fence for all of your fencing needs. We’ll refer you to one of our experienced professional contractors.
The post How to Puppy-Proof Your Yard for a New Dog with Fencing appeared first on ABC At Home.
