Any Ideas To Stop Jumping Down Wall?

[Guest RosieFT]

I have a small fox terrier 1.5yrs old. Our backyard is split into three - top level is garden then low limestone retaining wall, then expanse of grass then 1.3m limestone retaining wall, then bottom is more grass. There are stairs to left of middle and way left is a lovely grass slope.

Rosie has always jumped off big wall (1.3m). When she started it as a puppy I managed to dissuade her and encouraged her to only use stairs (or slope but would direct her to stairs as closer). As she got older, she started it up again. ugh.

If we are playing retrieve games, she will often jump down off wall to bring toy back to me - in this instance, she sort of goes vertically down the wall like a cat, then leaps off. IF the ball ricochets and bounces back off the top section down the bottom, she will leap into space after it - horizontally off the wall. If object is at base of wall, she will basically leap onto her head, vertically

Obviously I try and avoid any object she is chasing to go down the wall, but it does happen.

She will also use the wall as a direct route if someone comes to the door, or just wants to get inside quickly - otherwise she takes the stairs or slope.

We have a sloping rock wall to the far right which she also uses to get down sometimes (espically when doing maddies) but this doesn't worry me so much as she runs down most of it before leaping.

ugh. Am I correct in assuming this height of wall could cause problems with crutiates or shoulders? Or am i worrying for nothing?

I am looking for suggestions as to how to train her to use the stairs and 'ban' the jumping?!?!?

thankyou in advance!

[poodlefan]

It certainly doesn't sound ideal. There's also a risk of a fall, rather than just wear and tear.

You could try fencing if off with some plastic garden trellis or similar.

[Agility Dogs]

You could try fencing if off with some plastic garden trellis or similar.

I gave up and went down this route when they were pups - now not so much of an issue as they are grown and the wall is only 80cm high. You can hide it behind shrubs or something similar as well.

ETA - I figure it is a bit of a lost cause with all the jumping they do any way. Not sure I'd be happy with 1.3m though.

Edited December 11, 2009 by Agility Dogs