By: Lori Verni
Having a dog who jumps your fence is possibly one of the most annoying dog behavior problems to have. Not only is it dangerous for your pet, who may end up out in the street, but it can be very upsetting to have to search for and try to capture your escape artist. Further, if you’ve recently spent a ton of money fencing your yard for the dog, your wallet can cry out in frustration too.
The one and only way to stop this problem is with a combination of obedience training, strict supervision and time spent out front. While it may be frustrating to have to supervise your pet during every moment he’s in the yard (perhaps the very reason it’s fenced in the first place), it is worthwhile to invest this time and training to solve the problem.
Begin by working with your dog on some obedience commands such as “heel,” “sit,” “down,” “stay” and “come.” This will help your dog learn what “no” and “good dog” mean, plus will increase the amount of respect he has for you so he feels like he actually has to listen.
Practice the commands with your dog on a leash in your yard at all different times of day. Be sure to look for opportunities to practice when stimuli that entice him (such as other dogs or kids playing on the other side of the fence) are around.
If your dog tries to jump the fence, or even looks like he’s thinking of it, tell your dog “no, stay!” in a firm voice. Then place into a “down/stay” command and praise when relaxing. It can also be helpful to open your yard gates and practice teaching him not to go out even when they’re open. Use the same methods described above.
You’ll need to gradually reduce the use of the leash and continue practicing and supervising your pet until the problem is alleviated.
Another thing that can help is if something “corrective” happens from the other side of the fence… such as being surprised with a squirt from a hose. Of course, you don’t want to do anything that would hurt your dog, but it can be helpful if you can be ready on the other side of the fence with the hose and as soon as he pops up, give him a good squirt with a firm “no”!
Last but not least, be sure to bring your dog on plenty of leash walks and allow him to spend time on leash out front with you and your family. If it’s not such a novelty to him, he will not be as frantic to get out there.
By investing a little patience and training, soon you and your dog can enjoy your yard without worry!
