Leaving Pup Outside

[Salukifan]

Thanks for the suggestions and advice! I will keep an eye on him with puppy pre school. So far with other dogs, big and small, he's gotten on well with them. He doesn't show any submissive/dominate tendancies from what I'm aware and has reacted well with a dog who does have some obsessive/aggressive tendancies around toys and space.

He's a baby puppy. It doesn't mean that his reaction to dogs will remain the same as he matures. The "fun" tends to start at adolescence.

Unfortunately it's a rental property so I don't have an option with fencing.

You do have the option to put in a safe, fenced and roofed movable run. He can be locked in that when you aren't home. He won't be able to get out and no one will be able to get to him without a pair of bolt cutters.

We're also careful not to take him on street walks on these days as I've been told that walking them as their main exercise will cause them to escape, I don't want him to associate alone time with leaving the house so we play in the backyard for at least an hour instead and do leash training.

Who told you that?

The primary reason dogs tend to become escape artists is boredom and the search for company. I think that advice was very poor. If he's not given sufficient stimulation by you, he will be even keener to find it for himself. I'd be walking him regularly once he's old enough.

Edited January 23, 2014 by Haredown Whippets

[raineth]

Puppy is very cute :)

He will grow to be a very athletic dog and four foot fences will just not be adequate to contain him. I would think six foot would be a minimum. There was a dog living next door to us who was a very similar size and shape to an ambull and could easily get over six foot fences.

Having better fences will then also eliminate the problem of other dogs getting in, and those children as well.

Containing your dog is one of the most fundamental basics of being a responsible owner, so it is good you are taking it very seriously.

[megan_]

You need a much higher fence. - you're going to have a big poweful dog . I'd go for. 8 ft .

[apocalypsepwnie]

I know the real estate wont allow the run structure but since I know the owners and they have had issues with their dog escaping, I can always talk to them about it.

Wednesday arvo I had vinnie in the yard and the 2 year old approached the fence. Vinnie loves kids so he trotted up there to say hello with me right behind him. Vinnie sat down and was sniffing through the fence while next door's dog, retriever maybe a lab unsure, came over. He was trying to move the child away from the fence while he sussed us out. I put my hand slowly over for a pat to reassure him and he froze so I pulled my hand back and stopped interacting while the child. The dog backed off and allowed Vinnie to sniff and lick the child and jumped up to my hand to pat him.

Had the dog bit me it would have been my own fault. Even though I have played with the dog before, this is his yard. I told the owner just to let him know and he got mad at the dog. I explained this is normal behaviour and the dog was protecting it's babies in the pack. I said that this is his den and cautious behaviour is fine by me.

I'm also trying to hint to the owner that his dog does have some very subtle aggressive behaviours which he needs to be aware of. He wont give up a ball, he gets very haunched and stiff when people move fast or go near the kids in the yard and he moves his head very quickly to snap when you're behind him.

I took this as the opportunity to let him know I was concerned about the kids sticking their hands over the fence and coming over when I'm not in the yard. I said I'd prefer if they didn't touch the dog unless I was there and came around the front door to come and play with him. My step kids don't need to be there for them to come over but I do. He accepted that and I noted we were starting puppy school and obedience training. His kids are very used to a dog they can hassle all day with no issue but I don't know if Vinnie will cop that. I just want to make sure everyone was safe. He said he'd keep an eye on them.

Haredown, this is something I've been guided to most of my dog ownership life. Walking is certainly an important part of their lives however as far as I know shouldn't be their main form of exercise and interaction. We already walk Vinnie 2 times a week but most of his interaction with us is training and play in the yard and in the house. When he's a bit older and has some training not guided by me (I'd rather have a professional input to make sure I'm getting it right) he'll be walked each morning and yard work in the afternoons. We're trying to make the yard the 'fun' place to be rather than him only knowing stimulation from outside. I'm extremely aware that dogs are more likely to escape if their needs are not met.

[Angeluca]

I know the real estate wont allow the run structure but since I know the owners and they have had issues with their dog escaping, I can always talk to them about it.

Real estates aren't able to say the will or will not allow anything they have to ask everything to the owner for verification it's not their property, Its either they have asked the owner and they have refused or they haven't and are speaking out their A**. If you know the owners ask them and if they are ok with it let them know the real estate is refusing to pass on requests.

if the owners have refused, I don't think they can stop a portable structure going up regardless, so long as it isn't concreted in and hasn't damaged any of the property in the process nothing can be done just like a tent, inflatable pool, gazebo or marquee ect.

be mindful you'll have to move it on occasion to prevent wear into the ground but so long as it doesn't affect them and it's not illegal then it's none of their business.

this structure i just brought from

http://www.factoryfa...=home-lifestyle

it was easy to put up and you can either buy a top or make one from canvas or tarp, the gate had a latch that a padlock can be placed to prevent unauthorized entry. If your concerned about hands going though mesh buy shade cloth and surround it. No chance of your dog being blamed for an accidental attack this way.

That should keep them out and 100% portable.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Angeluca

[Dame Aussie]

our fence is about 4 feet and is wire and steel.

may I politely, but strongly suggest that a second MUCH higher fence be erected inside your property to protect your dog from possible repercussions after mistakes.

It is a LOT easier to prevent things from happening .....

I agree with this, do you mean American Bulldog? If so, a 4 foot fence won't be sufficient. You need to make sure the kids next door can never get in, you could have a disaster in your hands.

I've also never heard that walking a dog can make them more likely to escape, that doesn't really make sense,, the dogs I used to see coming into the pound when I worked there were usually the dogs that never got walked or got out of their yard, so were bored and therefore escaped.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Aussie3

[apocalypsepwnie]

I'm lead to believe it's when it's the only form of exercise for the dog. This being the case when the only time you exercise the dog is taking it for a walk. I don't believe it's in the cases of dogs who are completely neglected. This is just what I've been brought up to believe. When we tried this with our dogs doing a 50/50 split they stopped trying to get out and escaping.

I'm not saying I'm right here, just this is the methodology I use that has worked for my animals in the past.

I have been looking into the portable structures and we do have a concreted area that this could go on and use a shade cloth. The real estate don't allow even blow up pools. They wont allow clam shells on the grass. This was something explained to us when we first moved in signing the lease. I told them about buying a dog. I asked if we could have a clam shell for him in summer because they wont allow pools and they said it cannot be on the grass. We cannot have any structures on the grass such as sheds, swing sets or cubby houses. They don't like the way it kills the grass underneath.

In saying that though my landlord had a swing set they were getting rid of and asked me if I wanted it. I told them what the real estate said and they said they can go to buggerey. I don't want to cause issues for anyone though.

[Dame Aussie]

Id check with the owners, it's their house, and if they say yes problem solved :)

[minimax]

Wait till the dog starts peeing on the grass and killing it, they'll be thrilled :laugh:

[Steph M]

I've been told that walking them as their main exercise will cause them to escape

That sounds slightly like rubbish to me. Who told you that?! Haha.

I think perhaps what they were getting at is a dog with pent up energy from not enough stimulation is more likely to escape?

I know my dogs aren't nearly as worn out from an on lead walk as they are a romp off lead in the park, but still that's a long drawn out connection there and I wouldn't put any real stock in that. Mine have never bothered to escape, even with the gate open, they just go sit by the car assuming we're off for a drive...haha.

If the gate is locked the kids simply climb over the fence.

I have to say, I would be seriously pissed about this one.

Perhaps it's worth telling the neighbour you won't be tolerating it any more and if it continues will be contacting the relevant authorities.

I accept that daycare might not be for him and trust the people there to let me know. I also accept that dogs there might not be appropraite in that situation and things might happen. I can only try and have heard very good reviews, they are quite receptive of dog behaviours and asking people not to bring their dogs back because they are not suitable.

Please don't forget that the people who may or may not tell you might not be well versed in how to spot a dog that isn't having fun.

They're also relying on return custom....

One of mine is as social and happy as can be, loves other dogs and playing with others but he lost his shite at daycare, spent the day in a corner whining and barking and being generally miserable. I got the most awful report at the end of the day, they described a dog I wouldn't even think was mine, they told me he was poorly socialised, fearful and dependant (he's none of these things when we leave him with friends or when we are at the park)

We have not been back since.

We had Gus out alone at 8 weeks for short bursts and he often takes himself out to laze in the sun. Puppies need to see and experience and feel everything, they're like sponges. You gotta get everything in now while you can to avoid later dramas, we have a rescue who is the very proof of that.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Steph M

[Angeluca]

I'm lead to believe it's when it's the only form of exercise for the dog. This being the case when the only time you exercise the dog is taking it for a walk. I don't believe it's in the cases of dogs who are completely neglected. This is just what I've been brought up to believe. When we tried this with our dogs doing a 50/50 split they stopped trying to get out and escaping.

I'm not saying I'm right here, just this is the methodology I use that has worked for my animals in the past.

I have been looking into the portable structures and we do have a concreted area that this could go on and use a shade cloth. The real estate don't allow even blow up pools. They wont allow clam shells on the grass. This was something explained to us when we first moved in signing the lease. I told them about buying a dog. I asked if we could have a clam shell for him in summer because they wont allow pools and they said it cannot be on the grass. We cannot have any structures on the grass such as sheds, swing sets or cubby houses. They don't like the way it kills the grass underneath.

In saying that though my landlord had a swing set they were getting rid of and asked me if I wanted it. I told them what the real estate said and they said they can go to buggerey. I don't want to cause issues for anyone though.

As I said the real estate don't own the property they can only convey owner wishes. And unless all that is in writing it means nothing. As for the grass they can't prevent you form living at the property so such 'restrictions may be unlawful' I suggest you contact your state rental authority to find out where you stand.

Altho I'm in qld I do rent one of my houses out and there is a lot of limitation we can apply to someone occupying the property. Every state is different by the main general idea is the law is more on the side of the tenant then the owner.

And by the sounds of it the owners are easy going. They employ the real estate to collect rent and check on the tenants, they can't evict you with out owner approval as they can't rent you the property without owner approval. If anything the real easttate need to keep the owner happy to keep his business. When you have an inspection and they see a clam shell on the yard tell them you spoke to the owner because they were being unreasonable and they said it is fine so if they have a problem speak to them.

simple

Edited January 24, 2014 by Angeluca

[Beckybecbec]

I am so paranoid over our two getting out... (currently 10mth old mini schnauzer and 8 1/2mth stafford)

We made them a kennel/pen/yard from a kit we bought from K&D hardware and some extra panels to make it bigger

Theyre only in it 4-6 hours maybe 3 times a week... and when we go out.

They were getting so 'destructo' in the house alone.

We started putting them in there once the eldest got to 6mths and the youngest got desexed.

As you can see, we have a large yard but I really dont want my rascals getting out.

Its totally covered in shade cloth now and I have a hanging herb garden off the right hand side now

Here they are when I get home :D

http://distilleryvesper5-17.ak.instagram.com/d221ec3e639811e3b62e0ec9e2be6f15_101.mp4

[apocalypsepwnie]

I am certainly looking into a pen for outside after this thread. Safer for everyone.

Thanks for the info guys. I wouldn't have known where to start and if they would have been big enough.