What to do with a fence jumper?

cptrohn+Bo · 05-13-2008, 09:23 PM

Bos now very close to 1 year old and found out last week that he can easily jump the fence if he wants to... I was outside with him and we were playing ball and he was running and playing like normal when something caught his attention outside the fence and he just went up and over... paws never even touched it...

This has NEVER happened before, and he has never even acted like he was going to take on the fence before....

Since then whenever we go out he is leashed only and I have taken him around where he jumped on his leash, a couple of times he started to gather himself like he was going to jump and I was instantly on him with very stern no's and trying my best to let him know this is not acceptable behaviour...

any suggestions? I love running with him and playing ball and I know he loves it too... but I don't want to risk him getting hit by a car either... because to be pretty frank there is nothing in this world he is afraid of... cars included.....Plus I worry about if he got around some of the neighborhood kids he doesn't know too.... He still acts very much like a puppy sometimes and I'm scared he would hurt one of them when he is actually just playing due to his size and strength at this age.

Patches Mom · 05-13-2008, 11:31 PM

Once a fence jumper always a fence jumper you cannot trust them 100%. Maybe a e-collar????? If you have to have them out with out you tie out cable with the dog in a harness. A year old Dobe would most likely eat the harness though.

**K9Jarko** · 05-14-2008, 12:29 AM

I don't know if I personally agree with "once a jumper...always a jumper". My retired boy could clear a 5 ft fence no problem and could climb higher fences...as it was part of his Police K-9 Training. He jumped our fence one time, when he was not suppose to and I quickly went about teaching him that this was not permitted at home. He has not jumped our fence in almost 6 years now - even with many temptations ie., deer, rabbits and the undisciplined 2 legged young "animals" next door swinging a bat over their heads towards him on at least a weekly basis.

Obedience Training is the foundation to rid oneself of any undesirable behaviors. What you are currently doing is what I did - taught him bounderies on a line. Then I removed the line and placed a "no jump" harness on him for awhile - still remaining outside with him so that I could reinforce with voice corrections what the harness prevented him from doing if he tried to jump. Then I left the harness on and peeked out the window from inside the house - still being able to reinforce with voice correction from an open window. Eventually I removed the harness...and repeated the weaning process (ie., first I stayed outside, then I went and watched through the window). Took a bit of time and patience on my part...but the "light finally came on" and has been on ever since

Good Luck!

gracieface · 05-14-2008, 09:13 AM

how high is the fence and what type? can you add on to the top? I had a problem with Grace when she discovered she could jump over the deck railing on the driveway side, got her out of the yard, so my dad added onto the railing, another 18" of lattice, that did the trick.

**vadimys** · 05-14-2008, 12:07 PM

Try a no jump harness
Dog Leashes, Leads & Harnesses: No Jump Harness

cptrohn+Bo · 05-14-2008, 04:45 PM

Thanks to everybody that replied... I might have to try the no jump harness and see how he does with it...

any thoughts on the invisible fence and dobermans? Bo is a very determined young guy when he sets his mind to something so I don't know if it will be effective for him.

**avalonandon** · 05-14-2008, 04:55 PM

We put up a 6 foot fence to keep Sebastian in and it didnt work. I bought an invisible fence and it only worked for a few months. Then one day, he jumped anyway (after a cat), whimpering and all - right in front of me. I finally put some green vinyl plant fencing along the top to extend it another two feet. He still jumps but only to get his head over the top to see what is happening on the other side, lol. Crazy dog! But omg I LOVE HIM!!

Anyway, I definitely would not trust him now that he has it in his head. K9jarko is very fortunate but describing something pretty rare I would think. Sebastian is a car chaser and I don't even want to begin to push any limits of possibility and lose him.

Patches Mom · 05-15-2008, 12:13 AM

At a year old the anti jump harness may be eaten.

cptrohn+Bo · 05-15-2008, 04:40 PM

I just don't get why all of a sudden it is an issue.... like I said in my OP he never even acted like he wanted to go over the fence before... and you would think that at a year it wouldn't just all of a sudden would be a problem... still scratching my head over it.

**voodoolizard** · 05-15-2008, 04:55 PM

missy never jumped our fencr till a dog got out down the road and wandered into the garden next door, it was amazing she had the grace of a fairy and glided over the fence to say hi.. luckily zeus just stood there with the look of " god that looks like far too much work LOL " and he didnt get out.
i called her and she came straight back, but continued to jump at every opportunity once she discovered she could do it..
we made the fence highter and now all is well !!

good luck !!