I don't necessarily think they need one, but it helps for the sanity of the owner. Plenty of people have dogs and rely on walking and parks for exercise. If you have a garden but it isn't enclosed the dog can still use it for sniffing the air, lying in a sunny patch, but you will need to be out with them. An enclosed garden means you can put the dog out and get on with something else.
Our large front garden isn't enclosed, so he's out on a harness & long line with us. Our rear garden we thought WAS enclosed, nope, he can scale a high wall. So he's out with us, watching through the window! It's more than manageable to be fair - we're happy spending time with him in the garden.
Mine would be fine now because she is 11 and wouldn't go anywhere. 10 years ago she would have been gone and probably lost for good being in an unsecured garden and she hates having a poo on a lead ( she is a lady and doesn't like to be watched
How dog proof are your gardens? We have no way of enclosing all of our garden. Does this rule out dog ownership?
It will rule out adopting a dog for sure. But no one (expect very good breeders) checks your garden if you’re buying one.
Practically though you’re going to be living on your last nerve every time you let the dog out to the garden if you know there is soo where they can escape from- or worse, if someone can enter and steal them. My garden is fully enclosed and I still watched my boy like a hawk when he was out incase someone tried to take him. I never left him alone in the garden.
We took our pup out on lead in garden to go to the toilet, winter pup. He can get through the gaps in our gates so we’ve puppy proofed. It’s just handy being able to let him out for a bit, especially having the back door open in summer so he can wander in and out. Our dog ‘goes’ in one area so he’s not all over the place. So you could get away without it. Then if your dog is well trained and has impeccable recall. Our old boy wouldn’t have budged. Wee fella however would be off. Work in progress
We have an enclosed garden, the dog won't go out unless we go with her (rescue so I think she was shut out in the past) so fences wouldn't be needed here.
It's not essential, but the lack of one is why I waited. There's their enjoyment, which is important. But also if they need to toilet in the night it'shandy. If they need to vomit you usually only have a few seconds to open the door.
Toileting late at night before bed involves turn outside light on, let dog out, stand inside being warm until he comes back. In shit weather you would be so pleased to have an enclosed garden.
In the day when squirrels turn up to taunt him he runs about but can't escape.
In summer when it's hot I can let him out so he can sit in the shade and just keep an eye on him without worrying that he can escape.
Thanks for the replies. You’ve made me realise that it wouldn’t be kind to the dog or myself to not have free use of the garden, so I think I ought to put that pipe dream to bed for the bed for the time being!
Sometimes my dogs wake me up at night for a wee or if they are ill. Wouldn’t like to let them out at 3am without a garden. It’s nice to put them outside to potter alone for a little bit while I clean floors etc. They really seem to enjoy the free time just sniffing around and playing together without me. It’s been a godsend in lockdown when I haven’t been able to walk them a few times (isolating) I’ve been able to train and play ball games without worrying about breaking the rules! It’s nice for the dogs to have some outside time as well as walks and I’m too lazy to be getting dressed every time they wanted to go outside
DDog pips out does her business on our patch of garden. She isn't bothered 🤷🏽♀️only time she is interested in going out other than to toilet 2/3 times per day is if it's a heatwave so she can sunbathe in 30 degree heat 🤦🏼♀️
She was 2 when we got her, she loves going for a walk but again doesn't get naughty or miserable if she doesn't. Hates the rain and won't willingly go for a walk if it's wet would rather cuddle on the sofa.
As long as you know you have to go out with them every time it’s not a problem. I lived in a flat with my first dog. She had a great life, tons of walks. I worked with horses and she came to work with me.
Depends what type of dog you have. We've got terriers and they are escape artists and diggers so we have to have strong fences that sink into the ground. I've also had a lurcher who's a jumper and could clear a 6' fence without a problem. Some dogs aren't bothered and will stay put with little fencing.
In my last place, the only garden was an insecure communal one, and it was a pain in the rear because DDog had to be on lead and accompanied for all wees. Unfortunately the hole in the fence was just too enticing, as I found out to my cost!
DF sometimes looks after DDog and is notorious for badly bodging his fences, declaring them secure, and then DDog gets out. Again. In his defence, last time DDog climbed a tree and then leaped over the fence, despite being a dachshund cross It wouldn't be the first time that DDog has got out through one of the weak spots, gone through a minimum of 5 gardens and then reappeared on the front doorstep at breakneck speed looking very pleased with himself I'm not sure my nerves can take much more of that...
If I had a huge garden (sounds like acreage) then I'd want to at least fence off a modestly garden sized portion of it, with direct access from the back door, that DDog could potter around in unsupervised.
It wouldn't be the first time that DDog has got out through one of the weak spots, gone through a minimum of 5 gardens and then reappeared on the front doorstep at breakneck speed looking very pleased with himself