Dog proof fence?

[TeenageWildlife]

My dog is Houdini, she digs and she climbs and she finds a way. How can I secure the garden (lots of fencing) without spending hundreds?

We used freedom fence in our last garden where the boundaries were banks hedges and rubbish fencing and we could not afford nor was it practical to fence as we had a major badger problem and they make dog sized holes in just about anything.

The training is hugely important and takes a couple of weeks but if done properly, and in accordance with the guidance, your dog is safely contained. I know some who don't like the idea but Karen Pryor (the guru of positive dog training and queen of clickers) talks about using one in her book in this kind of situation.

Hate the idea but I guess the money you can save when you get the freedom fence can be used for behaviourist training when your dog is turned into a neurotic wreck.

Client 1 that had similar fencing. The dog become terrified of air-planes as one was flying overhead when he was shocked. Initially the dog just cowered when a plane went over but then began to bolt with fear yep even going over the so called fencing.

Client 2 dog bit the owner who was standing next to him when the dog was shocked. It needed months of training for the dog to trust the owner and vice versa.

Client 3 dog refused to walk on grass - this took nearly a year to sort out until the dog could be walked in all areas again because of the shock the dog received.

Oh all three cases had to erect traditional fencing

Choice is yours!

Have you considered training her not to jump/dig out? Would involve lots of work and only supervised access to the garden until you'd sorted the problem, but should work. All of my dogs are capable of jumping out of my garden. None of them would dream of doing so.

I agree with what Minimu has said and she clearly has experience of what happens when these collars/fences cause problems. Electric shock collars can also cause horrific burns.

She never used to run away but she has fallen in love with a sheepdog who she can wrestle her way through a few gardens to get to. As he lives out of doors he's always available as it were - and yes she has been spayed. westie with mind of her own, so I guess it wil have to be the expensive route...

Um, there is a school of thought that says you should check, erect and secure fencing before getting a dog, as part of the necessary and responsible preparations for said dog's arrival.

Also, how much exercise is she getting? If she has enough energy to clamber through or under fencing then she may not be getting enough exercise/stimulation/training the rest of the time. And unless she is a ninja Westie with jedi mind bending powers, presumably you go out the garden with her to supervise, knowing she is at risk of escaping?

Thank God, electric shock collars are illegal in Wales. Have nothing to do with them. They are cruel and revolting.

I can't believe electric shock collars are legal anywhere. Seriously?

all fencing checked and secured before getting dog - thank you. Dog did not escape for first 18 months and has plenty of walks and stimulation. I do not go into the garden to supervise - she is a dog, not a child. Until any escape routes are mended she is not allowed into the garden on her own. I was asking about a budget fencing solution, not for dog parenting advice Scuttle.

Were a bit worried about this as trying to move at the moment - current house has 6 feet fencing all around. We've accepted that it could cost us ££££ to replace poor fencing in any new house we move to.

Only other thing I can think of is using reed fencing to try and cover any poorly fenced areas - cheaper than solid panels. We have some on existing panels to train plants up.

Paws, if I recall correctly you have a greyhound. Please do NOT rely on reed panels if you move. Your greyhound can get through an insecure fence quickly and easily. I've recently had to help another greyhound owner who didn't get a good homecheck and her grey went into next door's garden exarcebating an already tense situation with a neighbour. DH spent a long Saturday afternoon fixing gaps in the hedge.
In another case recently, disastrous attempt at greyhound ownership when new hound went straight through hedge in back garden and killed next door's cat. Again, down to a poor homecheck and lack of advice to new owner.
No matter how relaxed your grey is with your children, they are bred and trained to race and chase - please do not skimp on the fence. It's not fair on your neighbours, their pets or your dog.

Chicken wire is cheap, though it won't last for all that long. It should last long enough with training! YOu can dig a trench so the dog just digs into wire. Also leaning the fence in towards the garden is said to help with jumping. You may find fencing and things on Freecylce and in local adverts. It rather depends on how beautiful you want your garden to look!

No it's Ok Scuttle, we've resigned ourselves to having to put up completely new solid fencing when we move (all the houses we've seen so far are poorly enclosed) - the reed stuff we have at the moment in our current house is just for trailing our plants up and making the fencing look a bit nicer.

DH has experienced the dog trying to take off after a cat before (they were out at night in the dark, and a cat darted across the road about 50m ahead) - he said the dog literally jumped forward and threw 30 kg of weight forwards, and it took all his strength to hold him back.

Thanks, Paws, very relieved and pleased to hear that. Yes, am familiar with gentle plodder suddenly doing 0-60 in .2 seconds!