HELP! Zitoe has started jumping the fence

[DivaDog]

Well, more like dragging her big butt over it. My neighbor got 2 new puppies and Zitoe has just been enamoured with them, she'll sit for hours just stairing at them. Well, big problem, she's now learned that the fence is short and she has gotten tall and she has crawled over it several times in the past couple days. Luckily I have a nice neighbor but I feel aweful, especially since the puppies like Zitoe well enough, when she's on her own side of the fence, but they're just scared to death when she's on their side. She's also done a lot of damage to our yard and I would hate for her to do the same to our neighbors.

What do I do? The neighbor said she had the same problem with past dogs and put electric fencing along the top of the fence and that solved the problem fast, but is this humane? I also wondered about the electric collar, maybe this would be nicer than the electric fence? The only problem I see with this is that she isn't as likely to climb the fence when she knows we're watching. I think she already knows she's not supposed to do it. We can't afford to put in a taller fence at the moment, especially since we're not sure at this point if we will be in this house for much longer. I would rather she just learn not to do it anyway. Any suggestions would be wonderful.

[Judi W]

Don't worry about kindness, worry about keeping your dog in your yard. If your fence is less than 6 foot, it is too short. What is the fence made of? Some types of fences are fairly easy to extend the height on, but regardless, it needs to be done. Not just to keep her out the the neighbor's yard, but to keep her from deciding to go shopping and turning into a road pizza.

[pbach]

Not to mention the neighbor might be nice about it now. But after a few more trips over the fence the neighbor might decide enough is enough - Keep your own dog on your own side of the yard.

[Rocky's_mom]

Don't leave her unsupervised when she is outside. Always keep an eye on her. When she starts tensing to go over the fence let out a NO or something similar that she knows means to stop... That might help you

[Sharon Marples]

What do I do? The neighbor said she had the same problem with past dogs and put electric fencing along the top of the fence and that solved the problem fast, but is this humane?

You bet, it's a lot more humane than having your dog get out (whether it be into the neighbor's yard or out on the street) and getting hit by a car, etc.

The electric fence is a great problem solver for situations like this. One hit from it (and we use them for our dogs and horses) and she won't be apt to try going over it again. You can test it yourself, just grab hold :p We've done it at times, just to make sure it is on. It doesn't feel too good, but it's not like a lighting bolt!

You are lucky, some neighbors would open their gates and let your dog out or worse, harm her. Get this situation fixed immediately so you can remain on good terms with your neighbor and keep your dog safe at the same time.

[Anne]

Whether or not you intend staying in the house for much longer the fence needs to be extended whilst you are there.

Most timber and hardware stores can direct you towards a suitable product to heighten your fence. These products are not very expensive and may just save the life of your dog. Anything less than 6ft. in height is inadequate to keep a large dog in.

[rotts and roses]

Not sure what the laws are in your state, but here is what happened to a friend of mine. Her rottie got out by climbing the 6ft chain link fence, she never went further than the other side of the fence and never bit anyone, but the neighbors called animal control every time, after the 4th time she got out and a one THOUSAND dollar fine, they(A.C.) put the dog down. Something to think about.

[DivaDog]

Thanks for the fast reponses. This is obviously a problem that I don't want to have continue on. Thanks Sharon for letting me know that you use the electric fencing. getting a higher fence would obviously be ideal, but for reasons mentioned in my initial post, I can't. I have been supervising all her outings since her escape but the thing I love about having a nice fenced in yard is that I can let them out and check on them but not have a constant eye on them. I know alot of people don't agree with this. Thanks again, I guess tonight my husband and I will be installing electric fencing.

[Anne]

Before going the way of an electric fence have a look at this site:-
www.itsfortheanimals.com/RUFUS.HTM.

[Sharon Marples]

Anne,

DivaDog is not thinking of using an electronic training collar on Zitoe, she is going to install an electric "hotwire" fence so that if Zitoe touches it, it gets a shock.

Electric fencing will NOT cause the problem referred to in this link. We have used it for over 20 years with both our dogs and horses and have found it to be an excellent containment system.

[Carina43]

I had a neighbor with an escape artist dog - she had an electric fence. Certainly better than the dog getting out and becoming road pizza! And the dog was a happy, friendly dog. He was a white Shepherd named Prince. :)

And when I was a kid, we lived adjacent to a small pig farm. Pigs are enormous - 500-700lbs. The puny e-fence was extremely effective in keeping those beasts contained. As kids, we would have little contests, seeing how long we could hold onto the live wires. It didn't hurt, was just a weird feeling.

Plus, it's cheap to install and run!

[danyp1]

Originally posted by Carina43
I had a neighbor with an escape artist dog - she had an electric fence. Certainly better than the dog getting out and becoming road pizza! And the dog was a happy, friendly dog. He was a white Shepherd named Prince. :)

And when I was a kid, we lived adjacent to a small pig farm. Pigs are enormous - 500-700lbs. The puny e-fence was extremely effective in keeping those beasts contained. As kids, we would have little contests, seeing how long we could hold onto the live wires. It didn't hurt, was just a weird feeling.

Plus, it's cheap to install and run!

Grew up on a farm got shocked numerous of times... No long term effects :D ;)

[TrinityRun]

I couldn't get the link to work. :(

[TrinityRun]

oops :o

[mmgy]

The hardest part is waiting for them to hit the fence the first time!!! Don't flinch, just let it happen.

We've used electric fence 2-3 times over the years.......one dog (my now old Homer, go figure) did actually get over the fence a few times, but eventually learned not to. After a while, we were able to cut the fence off but leave the wire up, and the dogs never knew.