Options for safety in unsecure garden

[Squaddielife]

We're planning on getting a Patterdale puppy but have a garden that's nigh on impossible to secure (think 150ft trees / natural hedgerow)

What options do people use outside to keep pup safe?

I'm obviously happy to take him out on a lead for toileting etc but I'm thinking summertime when the family is out there or when we're gardening etc.

Stake and a long line

Zip line is safer than a long line as less chance of getting tangled. We use this when we are camping.

A long line secured tightly into the ground at each end so it is quite taught. Before securing the 2nd end run it through the handle of a spare dog lead. Attach dog to lead. They can run up and down the length of the line but can't get caught in it. Also means the don't reach the end at full pelt and get yanked .

If it's a permanent fixture you Could use a sky line instead. Same thing but above the dogs head.

You have to make sure it is exactly the right height though otherwise there is a risk of entanglement and strangulation

As the owner of a patterdale x I would recommend that you fence off a smallish portion for the dog . We put an ornamental fence around our main patio area outside the kitchen door and dog is only allowed there unless he is supervised . In the second week of having our dog , prior to the fenced off part , he dug up and chewed a daffodil bulb , fortunately not fatally although he was quite ill . I have never been able to stop him digging despite making him digging pits etc , left to his own devices my garden would be awash with trenches .

@Floralnomad

As the owner of a patterdale x I would recommend that you fence off a smallish portion for the dog . We put an ornamental fence around our main patio area outside the kitchen door and dog is only allowed there unless he is supervised . In the second week of having our dog , prior to the fenced off part , he dug up and chewed a daffodil bulb , fortunately not fatally although he was quite ill . I have never been able to stop him digging despite making him digging pits etc , left to his own devices my garden would be awash with trenches .

Thats really helpful thank you. I had thought of this as we do have a decking area but thought toilet training was better on grass? Is that not the case? How old is your dog now? Are they happy on patio rather than grass?

Our garden is tiered. 1st tier decking which is almost balcony like, then it steps down to grass, then steps down again to border/grass. There is actually another tier behind but we have fenced it there. Behind the fence is a brook.

The most convenient thing would be to pen off the upper decking tier. That way we can open the door and they can go straight out. Cons to that as I said is, toileting on plastic decking rather than grass.

Thanks again for your advice.

Thanks re comments on stake / long line / sky line. I will def research those.

I think I just posted on your other thread terriers are escape artists give half a chance, they also love to dig, so unless you want a dug up garden it might be worth thinking of putting something in that they can dig up. I've had to completely secure my garden as they'd be off and out. 5' fences all round

@Squaddielife he’s 10 , he’s never had a problem weeing or pooing on the patio and I keep a watering can of dettol so pick up and wash down straight away . The other issue with him is if he’s loose in the whole garden he’s a menace to the squirrels and any local cats that are stupid enough to wander in . Having the fenced off bit also means he’s easy to get back in at night when he’s out for his last wee rather than being on the grass potentially getting wet , muddy and distracted !

I honestly wouldn't get a terrier (especially not a Patterdale terrier) without a secure area of garden for them to access. They are notorious escape artists and LOVE to dig.

A long line or stake-out is an option but be aware that you may just end up with a giant dug-up mud patch