Dog Fences Keeping Your Puppy Happy Outdoors

If you have the luxury of owning a backyard on your property, then your puppy or adult dog deserves the freedom of being able to roam outdoors in the yard without the risk of wandering off. Of course this entails creating a fenced enclosure so that it can run free and spend plenty of time outside.

The type of fenced area you choose can be that of a full yard enclosure like most common homes have, or if there is no fence and the yard is open, you can create a smaller fence with four sides and a small gate. This type of fenced setup will allow your dog to take advantage of its freedom, while at the same time benefiting from your company when you are outside. Of course, dogs have the most fun when you play outdoor games with them.

The Cons Of A Fenced Enclosure

Although the benefits of allowing your dog to roam free with fenced borders outside far outweighs the cons, there are a few downsides which you should be aware of. For example, you may be tempted to leave your dog outside in the secured fenced area for a long period of time if you have to leave the house. This can cause your dog to panic and experience high anxiety levels of stress.

This stress can lead small puppies and dogs to attempt to escape by either climbing the fence, or digging through the ground. Never underestimate how far your dog is willing to go when it feels alone and abandoned. Of course with time and proper conditioning, most dogs can be trusted when left alone. However, you should use caution with small puppies and never leave them alone for too long a time.

Electrical Fences

Electrical fences are definitely popular among many dog owners. You’ll have to decide for yourself if you feel it’s right to keep your dog outside with barriers that can shock it if crossed. Although the dog cannot see these borders, it keeps them enclosed in an area by an underground wire which will shock the animal if it passes over it, due to a specific battery operated collar around its neck.

Electrical dog fences are known to do a great job at keeping a dog or puppy secure, but there are some safety measures you need to adhere to due to the nature of the product. Puppies that are too young should not be confined with an electrical fence. Your dog must be no younger than six months old. These fences will not prevent other animals from coming into the enclosed area. This could prove dangerous to your dog. All in all, just use a little common sense with proper training and your dog should have no problems with an electrical fence.

Keeping Your Dog Safe With A Dog Fence

When you let your puppy roam free outside on the property, it is essential that you keep it enclosed in some form or fashion. If you cannot fence the dog inside, then at least tie your dog up. This will prevent it from wandering off and getting hurt by an other animal or a moving vehicle.

If you are purchasing an enclosure such as a dog pen or a tie out, here are a few research tips to help you choose the appropriate security item, which would suit your dog and landscape best.

Start by asking your self the following 3 questions:

1. Based on how well you know your dog, what type of personality does it have and how well does it handle being confined? Is it the type of dog that will try to escape, knowing it cannot get past a certain barrier mark?

2. When you have an enclosure put up outside, how do you plan on using it when confining your dog? In other words, will you be by your dog’s side at all times when it is out, or do you plan on using the fenced in area or tie out, as a way of keeping it secure when you’re not at home?

3. Based on your dog’s temperament, are you aware of what type of confinement its personality will allow, without creating chaos for your pet? Using a secured lead may create anxiety. A fenced in area that is too small may also be a negative experience for your dog.

Can’t I just train my dog to stay on the property without a security fence or leash?

This is a big mistake. Initially when your young puppy is new to the outside world and is just getting used to the fact that it can play around the yard, letting it loose without any security is a dangerous choice. Your dog may not understand what its boundaries are and end up wandering off into danger, or being fatally injured from traffic.

Not only is safety an issue here, but it is impossible to train a puppy to stay on a certain area of land at such a young age. If there are other houses, sidewalks and streets nearby your pup will explore. Yes, some breed types can be trained, but to successfully train a pup to stay within certain confines of your property without a fence or leash, takes a specific type of dog temperament.