Help, suggestions on how to stop a fence jumper!!!!

Marlow has learned to jump the fence in the backyard. Today was the third time in the past two weeks. Our fence is about 4.5 feet high and I have not seen him scale the fence but there is no other way out. First time, I went to search with the car and found him on the back street and the last two times a neighbor has caught him and brought him home, but today he was by the front gate to the subdivision and if he went through that, he would have been on the highway. Either hit by a car or picked up and never seen again! Neither is an option I can bear, so I need suggestions on what to do. I hate the thought of having to put him on a tie out chain since that is what he came from (this problem isn't why he was chained before.) When he sees the neighbors walking by on the street he wants to go out to see them, and then takes off on a run around the neighborhood. This evening is the first time all week that I have not been outside with them and he took advantage of that fact. Within 5 minutes he was gone! Help!

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on December 30, 2010 at 9:35pm

I am sorry Suze. My Jazzy is a fence jumper, too. We tried extending the fence up another 2' with Chicken wire and he still went over it. The only thing that worked for him is an e-collar and we wove the wire in and out of the chain links about 6" off the ground. He only got shocked once and now never goes near the fence unless I forget to put the collar on. I hate those things but he kept doing it and the odds alone said he was going to be hit by a car. Now I know he's safe and I can keep the collar on a low setting and as soon as he hears the tone, he runs back. It's all that worked for him.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Gunn on December 30, 2010 at 11:02pm

At the risk of eliciting "boos" from many....I am forced to use a hotwire here at Fort GunnDog. I have so many hunting breeds of dogs that it is the only way to contain them. I use a model that is specifically designed for dogs so the shock is low. I have touched it myself many times...it is most unpleasant...but gets the job done. I hate it, but it is a necessary evil with so many dogs so close to the road. I have diggers and jumpers. I have the wire extended out about 4 inches from the fence and clearly marked with flags. On the up side, I guess it's not necessarily a bad thing to train any dog to stay off of a fence - when they go to their new homes, hopefully it will keep them from ever even considering trying to escape from their new yard. Any of you who have ever witnessed a dog being hit by a car (and I've seen way more than I care to remember) can appreciate the fact that a mild shock hurts way less than the bumper of a car.

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on December 30, 2010 at 11:48pm

Probably the same premise as the shock collar. I feel now the same way. The little shock is better than the alternative.

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Permalink Reply by Susan D. on December 31, 2010 at 9:02am

Eliz, this is the same thing my Dad suggested. Growing up with hunting dogs he always had a few that would climb the fence no matter how high it was and he ususally had 7 foot high fences around the dog lots. He finally had to put an electirc wire around the top. I certainly understand the necessity of having to do it! I can't do that here, since we live in a subdivision and the gardeners come through and do our back yard. I think the only solution may be an eCollar like Lynne suggested, but I dread having to buy it. I know one family has an electronic fence buried in the ground because they have no other fence at all. I had been taking him to doggie daycare once a week and stopped when money became an issue. I have a new part time job so may have to start that again to wear him out running! He gets so much energy that just walking on a leash doesn't burn.

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on December 31, 2010 at 10:19am

Susan, I hated it too and I still do. But now I have it turned very low and he won't go near the fence. I have peace of mind and he is safe. I have the underground one around the entire property but am very bad about putting on the collars. (On purpose) In the yard, I only have to put it on Jazz.

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Member Since 2010Permalink Reply by Kary on December 31, 2010 at 4:05pm

I don't know if your subdivision will allow it, but an addition to your fence that tilts inward may work. A neighbor has one that keeps her cats in because they can't climb over the top due to the angle.

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on December 31, 2010 at 4:10pm

That's a great idea, Kary. Another option.

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Permalink Reply by Susan D. on December 31, 2010 at 4:33pm

I don't think they will...everyone's fence has to look alike :(

Great suggestion though! I took him to doggie daycare today and he is tired now, so maybe he just needs to run more. Boredom is part of the problem I am sure. Twice daily walks is not enough for my guy..he needs to run!