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How can I adopt a dog with this garden?

48 replies

Scientitz · 09/07/2021 20:08

Hoping someone will have some magic solution for me as I'm losing hope!

Finally in a position to get a dog, ideally a rescue. Until now I haven't minded what breed but because of my garden I've had to broaden the dogs I've been looking at.

I rent on an old cottage with a small back garden. It is securely fenced on three sides BUT it shares a walkway with the other neighbours all with open access to their gardens. This area is secure with the only access to the road through a side gate which is locked. I have been turned down by all the rescues I have approached because the dog might enter a neighbour's garden. I cannot fix a gate as there is no post to fix it to - I looked into a buying a large dog pen but they seem a bit grim and will take up the whole garden. Is there anything anyone can reccommend? Something like a baby gate but for dogs and very secure?

I'll draw a diagram because I don't feel I've explained myself very well!

OP posts:
PepperPepperMan · 09/07/2021 21:13

No, they wouldn't.

No different to putting a staircase up on the stairs once a puppy has figured out the stairs?

I'd go back to them and ask for feedback with your questions?

It's quite depressing isn't it, lots of dogs in shelter just wanting a warm bed and a cuddle with lots of love to give back.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 09/07/2021 21:30

I was given one of those pens that @Simbacatisback suggested by a dog rescue. It's super useful. Can be a gate, or a pen, or a long, thin run. Very versatile.

Dogs also quickly work out that they're supposed to stay in the pen/behind the gate. They're not stupid. Kind of like crate training/any training - consistency and positive reinforcement and they figure it out. My JRTs know they're not allowed past baby gates, even though they could easily jump them if they wanted to.

DeathByWalkies · 10/07/2021 07:11

But, but... If the structure was put in place now, before the dog became family, the dog wouldn't view it as temporary, would it??

You're right, so long as it's solid, though some dogs are more prone to escaping than others.

BUT

Ddog isn't much of an escape artist, but he knows where there have previously been holes in DF's garden, which have since been very badly bodged by DF. Result is that he will attempt to go though a bodge job there whereas he would probably ignore it if he had never known a hole there. He climbed a tree and jumped over on one occasion, and simply punched his way through on another.

DF has remarkably nice neighbours, but this has resulted in a situation where ddog has gone through at least 5 other gardens all with equally crap fences and along the road before reappearing in record time, looking very pleased with himself, on DF's front door. Hmm

DF doesn't want to replace his fence, so he's now always on lead in the garden there which is a PITA when it's dark and raining. Ddog is always off lead in the park and has great recall but finds the prospect of holes in fences far too appealing for his own good.

He also checks my garden gate every time to see if it's bolted - it's a temporary structure in his mind (sometimes open, sometimes shut) so he checks it in a way he doesn't with the brick wall.

So, I can also see the rescue's point of view.

A temporary structure might be fine now, but I'd be worried if it was still as sturdy in a year. It only takes one escape for a dog to get run over.

I'd just get your garden fenced and be done with it. It's SO much more convenient just being able to open the back door for early morning / late night wees.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 10/07/2021 07:18

i always go out in the garden with my ddog, otoh there are times when the back door is open and she is free to go in and out, but she prefers to be where i am

drspouse · 10/07/2021 07:25

When you say there's nothing to attach a gate to, why can't you just sink a post?

LadyOfTheFlowers · 10/07/2021 07:27

Dog won't understand why it can't go out is absolutely ridiculous Hmm
Honestly, they seem to make it as hard as they possibly can. I appreciate they want the dogs rehomed for life, but really.
Our lab is not allowed upstairs because I don't want him up there (his mess is enough to deal with downstairs, thanks) and so there is a stair gate. He knows we are up there. He doesn't get distressed. He just waits at the bottom for us or sleeps on the sofa.
He would get distressed if we all started laughing and jumping around because he would want to join in but normal popping upstairs or even staying up there quietly for long periods he doesn't mind a jot.
Our garden is nowhere near as big as a rescue would say it needs to be and the wall on one side is just about 6ft and the fence that splits us from neighbours is about 4ft. They also have a dog. Not an issue.

I do hope you manage to get something sorted Smile

LadyOfTheFlowers · 10/07/2021 07:31

Just for laughs, I've met so many people that think dogs seem to have much more emotional and intellectual ability than they actually do, like if someone comments the dog has got a bit porky it will hurt his feelings.
Suggesting the dog does certain things to be vindictive etc HmmGrin
Not letting the dog upstairs will make him think you don't love him etc

Motorina · 10/07/2021 07:58

@drspouse

When you say there's nothing to attach a gate to, why can't you just sink a post?
This. I think having a dog with an insecure garden is a disaster waiting to happen, as well as being a total pain in the arse. Particularly a lurcher or similar.

I do volunteer checks for a small breed-specific rescue, and we would turn you down.

If the space is suitable for a gate and the barrier is a lack of a post then the simple solution is to sink a post. I had three put in recently because my fence posts had rotted through - it took maybe a couple of hours. With chatting and at least one cup of tea.

Ring a fencer, get them to come out, explain what you need and they'll do it.

PollyRoulson · 10/07/2021 09:10

You will need a minimum of 6ft fencing for a lurcher and for many dogs. Not only to keep them safe but to stop "things" getting in.

Trust me the rescue are talking sense.

You can spend money on temporary fencing but will wish you had put up permanent secure fencing.

It is a cost of having a dog.

If it is your garden you can put secure fencing inside the line of your garden.

minnimiss · 10/07/2021 09:48

There is a rescue I know of Cy2uk, they are a charity and they help to rehome dogs from a shelter in Cyprus. Message them and explain the situation and they may be able to help you. It seems reasonable to say you could only let the dog outside if you are with it or only on a long line so it shouldn't really be a barrier and so many dogs need loving homes.

Hellocatshome · 10/07/2021 09:53

Try a different rescue. We rescued a Romanian dog (already in the UK) we passed the home check because our yard has 6ft walls all around it. Bloomin dog has never once set foot in the yard in its 3 years with us as for some reason it is won't fo out the back door Confused

MotionActivatedDog · 10/07/2021 09:55

OP you might just have to install a gate post and hang a gate.

WRT dogs not respecting temporary boundaries? Confused how would a dog know it was temporary?

My lurcher can jump over the tallest available stair gate on the market with the right motivation (cat- I watched her do it) but without any motivation she just respects that the gate means she can’t get to the other side. In fact she respects the shorter stair gates too in the downstairs rooms.

MotionActivatedDog · 10/07/2021 09:56

Fwiw the garden fence is 6ft tall as I’m taking no chances with outside! Grin

PollyRoulson · 10/07/2021 10:13

We have a tracking agency to find lost dogs 98% of the case are rescue dogs that have recently been rehomed. Of the rescue dogs 94% are from foreign rescues just saying.....

MotionActivatedDog · 10/07/2021 10:15

@PollyRoulson do you know why? Is it because the rescues aren’t rehoming responsibly? Checking gardens etc?

Beamur · 10/07/2021 10:30

The flight risk for rescues does decrease presumably once they are settled?
My current dog (was my Mum's dog) did a flit after a few days with her because the postman didn't shut the gate and the front door was opened - dog went out like a flash having not previously moved at speed! So, I can see the reasoning for making the space secure.

MilduraS · 10/07/2021 10:53

My grandparents lived in the countryside and had a massive garden with low walls. Their dog decided to start waiting at the front of the house then chasing cars as they went past. Their solution was to put a long line like a washing line from one end of the back garden to the other and then put the dog on a long harness lead attached to it. He could go anywhere in the back garden but couldn't get to the front of the house anymore. It worked well and he wasn't bothered. We just had to watch out for the lead if he got excited and decided to run in a big circle around us.

Scientitz · 10/07/2021 11:49

Thanks for all your messages - I'll post a picture of the set-up as soon as I can! I think I'm going to go back to the landlady and see how she feels about me installing a gate + fence first. If she says no, I'll look at a free-standing structure like the ones posted. I can't sink a post in for a gate as it is concrete so that's why I was hoping for something more 'temporary' I suppose.

I'm not complaining about the rescues - they're just trying to get it right, I understand that. I was just hoping there was a product on the market for awkward gaps like this one is! Also to point out, if the dog did get out the garden - as some very determined dogs will do, no matter the obstacles! - he would only be able to run into the gardens next door. I know and am friendly with all my neighbours so that wouldn't be a problem, and the side gate is locked so the dog would only need to be rounded up within our little terrace!

Thanks again, will have a word with a carpenter, see what we can do!

OP posts:
Scientitz · 10/07/2021 11:51

@MotionActivatedDog haha! The first rescue I approached was a lurcher rescue as they are brilliant dogs. Unfortunately the one I enquired about was a HUGE escape artiste and the lady told me my garden just couldn't hold a lurcher, damnit!

OP posts:
MotionActivatedDog · 10/07/2021 12:00

They are great dogs! Have managed to contain my girl so far! Touch wood! Grin

PollyRoulson · 10/07/2021 13:01

@MotionActivatedDog it is a combination of factors.

Foreign rescues may have come from the streets then into home so not used to home life at all.

Street dogs may be feel safer outside than restrained in a house

The new owners may not have been given enough support on appropriate harnesses- that need to be escape proof

The new owners may not have been given enough support on how to settle in the dogs

Foreign rescues come with specific issues that do need to be dealt with in a specific way this may not be communicated well to the new owners

cherrytree63 · 11/07/2021 04:33

You could get posts bolted onto the concrete.
How often do your neighbours use the access? Have you considered a Heras panel? We've had a temporary Heras fence before and cable tied a plank along the gap at the bottom to stop our terrier squeezing under.

EccentricaGalumbits · 11/07/2021 04:40

I was about to post what pp said - there are ways to fix a post to any kind of ground surface. After checking with the landlady maybe get a fencing company to come out and give you some advice and a quote?

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