Fenced in Yard? - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie · 06-17-2010, 01:05 PM

Do you have a fenced in yard?

If no was it an issue with your Breeder or Rescue?

Alisande · 06-17-2010, 01:17 PM

We have discussed this very issue under a number of threads. People have various opinions. I do have a fenced yard. Couldn't imagine dealing with a puppy without one.

Yes, I think you will find it is an issue with most Breeders and/or Rescues.

LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie · 06-17-2010, 01:22 PM

Do you think that opens the door to BYB's?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisande

We have discussed this very issue under a number of threads. People have various opinions. I do have a fenced yard. Couldn't imagine dealing with a puppy without one.

Yes, I think you will find it is an issue with most Breeders and/or Rescues.

Adara · 06-17-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie

Do you think that opens the door to BYB's?

It's someone's choice to go to a BYB. I don't think it opens any doors that aren't already there.

Working with rescue, we just see too many dogs that get loose, run off, get injured without fences. Fences do not provide exercise. However, many average pet owners if they don't have a fence, aren't going to put that leash on for the 3 am potty break and voila puppy runs off, gets hurt, etc. Or they avg pet owner thinks puppy is old enough and won't run off without a leash, and again you increase the risk of things happening to the dog.

tuxedojack · 06-17-2010, 01:34 PM

I do have a fenced in yard. I know the breeder I got Jackson from, that is one of the first things she asked people, if they have a fence or not. Dont think she would sell to someone if they didn't have one.

LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie · 06-17-2010, 01:38 PM

Maybe we have been "lucky"....maybe Anakin is different but he is up our butts 24/7. He doesn't run off, doesn't seem to be interested to be off the property, if he gets off his leash he runs to the house. I wonder if that will change with age??

Anyhow I was just wondering because out set up just isn't a set up for a fence really?!??! Our back door.....is a warehouse. So it would have to be the front yard but even that would be "odd". But we are out in the country (10 acres) and that 3 am potty, he never left the deck because it is pitch black out there.

I could see a rescue being different....not knowing from the get go what he/she will do

Anyhow just thinking out loud I guess

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adara

It's someone's choice to go to a BYB. I don't think it opens any doors that aren't already there.

Working with rescue, we just see too many dogs that get loose, run off, get injured without fences. Fences do not provide exercise. However, many average pet owners if they don't have a fence, aren't going to put that leash on for the 3 am potty break and voila puppy runs off, gets hurt, etc. Or they avg pet owner thinks puppy is old enough and won't run off without a leash, and again you increase the risk of things happening to the dog.

Riagogogo · 06-17-2010, 01:48 PM

I was able to rescue Rudi having an invisible fence installed. I was put thru a pretty grueling screening process. Two home visits and even a background check. The rescue felt with Rudi's temperament, lack of prey drive etc... he would be a good candidate for an invisible fence. Two sides of my backyard are fenced and the third side is a very dense hedge. I only have about 1/4 acre and my house sits smack dab in the middle so I wanted to utilize the entire yard without fencing the front too, it was going to be difficult to put gates in etc. The front yard has a hill and just will not look right fenced in. So I decided to do invisible fence all the way around to get maximum yard usage. IF I ever get another dobe while I have Rudi too (or a dog with more drive), I will finish the back yard so it is completely secure. Rudi is never outside for lengthy times without my supervision and I have never had an issue with roaming dogs in my neighborhood, but I can't say it would never happen. The rescues and reputable breeders are very picky about this and they should be and have every right to be. And...afterall....Rudi was picked up by the local pound running the streets as a stray and ended up in a dobe rescue, so what does that tell ya! But he has done fabulous with the invisible fence to the point that after he got his first buzz he didn't want to leave the front porch, but he got over it!

LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie · 06-17-2010, 01:51 PM

Der...never thought about invisible. We had that once, although we had an Akita, and he didn't care....he ran through it every time!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riagogogo

I was able to rescue Rudi having an invisible fence installed. I was put thru a pretty grueling screening process. Two home visits and even a background check. The rescue felt with Rudi's temperament, lack of prey drive etc... he would be a good candidate for an invisible fence. Two sides of my backyard are fenced and the third side is a very dense hedge. I only have about 1/4 acre and my house sits smack dab in the middle so I wanted to utilize the entire yard without fencing the front too, it was going to be difficult to put gates in etc. So I decided to do invisible fence all the way around to get maximum yard usage. IF I ever get another dobe while I have Rudi too, I will finish the back yard so it is completely secure. Rudi is never outside for lengthy times without my supervision and I have never had an issue with roaming dogs in my neighborhood, but I can't say it would never happen. The rescues and reputable breeders are very picky about this and they should be and have every right to be.

Riagogogo · 06-17-2010, 02:01 PM

Well, it only works with the right dog that is for sure. Because some dogs may bolt thru it and not want to make that return trip thru it.

Dobe&Dane · 06-17-2010, 02:55 PM

I've been on walks with my dogs and have had other dogs bolt through their invisible fences to get us. Not good...especially when I have 200 lbs of dog! Luckily they know how to behave!

I don't have a fence..yet. We're working on it. We have almost 3 acres and want all of it done but thats pretty expensive, but we're just about there $$ wise! I can't wait. My Dane is fine off leash, but I do have to leash Gypsy everytime we go out and play on our property. I use a 20 or 30 ft retractable one when we're playing in our field and a regualr 6 ft one for walks.

Gypsy was an owner surrender- she wasn't fenced in at her previous owners place- she had a stake with long line. He gave it to us when we got her, but we don't use it.
Donko's rescue didn't like the idea, but I guess she trusted us because of Gypsy?

With the Dane rescue I volunteer for, they require it unless its prohibited because of community rules.

Leliel · 06-17-2010, 03:02 PM

I didn't have my fence quite finished when I brought Delta home, and boy was I glad when it was done! Does the yard look as nice as before I fenced it in? No, not really. But then again if a nice backyard was my priority I wouldn't have a doberhorse.

I would be careful and keep drilling recall, as I could certainly see a problem with doberteens + a squirrel, but then again 10acres is also a lot of room. When Delta has gotten loose (not in a long time *knock on wood*), I don't think she's ever gone far enough that she would have left a 10acre space.

ETA: forgot to answer your question. Yes, a fence would have been requried for the rescue I had talked to, but I ended up adopting Delta from a shelter. I don't require if the shelter required it or not, I do remember I told them about it being near-completion.

Stiv · 06-17-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie

Do you think that opens the door to BYB's?

No, the BYBs are there fence or not. However, getting turned down by the reputable breeders due to lack of fence may make it more likely the buyer, if determined enough, will turn to a BYB. It is a vicious cycle.

Hopefully the reputable breeder will educate the buyer-to-be why it is important for these dogs to get the exercise they NEED and why a fence would help with that. If the buyer was to grasp a really good understanding of that, they may not turn to someone likely not to turn them down. Then, if they are still determined enough, they will doberman-proof/ready their house and yard for this breed in an effort to be accepted.

LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie · 06-17-2010, 03:44 PM

Yes that is exactly what I was trying to say

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stiv

No, the BYBs are there fence or not. However, getting turned down by the reputable breeders due to lack of fence may make it more likely the buyer, if determined enough, will turn to a BYB. It is a vicious cycle.

Hopefully the reputable breeder will educate the buyer-to-be why it is important for these dogs to get the exercise they NEED and why a fence would help with that. If the buyer was to grasp a really good understanding of that, they may not turn to someone likely not to turn them down. Then, if they are still determined enough, they will doberman-proof/ready their house and yard for this breed in an effort to be accepted.

ZeldaRules · 06-17-2010, 03:53 PM

I am a new home owner(first time fence owner ;D) but prior to that I was living in apartments for 5 years with no fence. I never had any problems fostering for rescues but that was also because I'm a responsible volunteer and probably the only 20 something year old whose social life has gone to the dogs. Before I started volunteering I would send an email to the rescue introducing myself, my situation, and experience and they always appreciated that.

maryellen · 06-17-2010, 07:19 PM

i have had a fenced in yard with my dogs, and they ran around occasionally but preferred to be with me or lay on the deck . since moving to an apt mine get 3 miles of walks every day, and the weekends are spent hiking and doing dog stuff.. WAY more then what i was doing when i had a fenced in yard.. mine wear martingale collars and are not allowed off leash unless in a fenced in yard that friends own. i have no problem getting up at 3am and walking a dog/pup out for potty breaks, i have done that before.
i have run into the same problem, no one wants to sell or adopt to me because i live in an apt now... which to me is crazy in a sense as i spend more time with my dogs now then when i had a fenced in yard lol.... they get out more, get more socialized, and tons more exercise now. i too have 2 25 ft long leashes that if i feel the dogs need to run they can run on a long leash..i do understand that some breeders/rescues want a fenced in yard, but its the individual owner they should be judging not the whole fence/non fence issue, as there are responsible owners like me who dont have a fence but who give their dogs more exercise then some owners with fences.

michellejy · 06-17-2010, 07:33 PM

I don't have a fenced yard, and I NEVER let Remy off leash in my yard, not even for a moment. That means I am out with him on a leash rain or shine every time he needs to use the bathroom. We also walk between 4 and 5 miles a day split between a morning and evening walk.

My last dog was VERY senior and had trouble walking at all by the time we bought this house, so the fence thing didn't even seem like an issue at the time. I have places I can take Remy to run off leash, but I can't tell you how much I miss the convenience of being able to just walk out in my back yard with him or how many times I've wished we could just play a game of fetch without using a long line.

We have HOA restrictions about fencing, but I've been seeing more and more pop up around the neighborhood recently, so I'll be petitioning our board to put up a fence since we do have a fairly large yard (at least for the suburbs).

I did try to adopt a dog through rescue before buying Remy, but I had two big strikes against me (young children and no fence) so my application was rejected.

lolonurse · 06-17-2010, 07:59 PM

In my opinion and experience, there are certain breeds that may be so laid back and such homebodies that they will stick right by their house - but that's not the norm. Just like an unwatched child will be distracted or attracted by something and follow it and wander off, and potentially get very lost, so will a puppy, or a dog. And the more curious, active, intelligent and outgoing a dog/breed is, the more likely it will be to go exploring. I think a fence is a must, for safety of all types. And teaching respect for fences can mean that it doesn't have to be a fortress. Our GSD's and first 2 Dobes did just wonderfully with a 4-board running (horse) fence. We only put up the 6' privacy fence because we had a truly nasty and vindictive neighbor who is scared of the Dobes (NEVER had a single reason to be), and tried to make trouble, so we just shut out the world.

Alisande · 06-17-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michellejy

I don't have a fenced yard, and I NEVER let Remy off leash in my yard, not even for a moment. That means I am out with him on a leash rain or shine every time he needs to use the bathroom. We also walk between 4 and 5 miles a day split between a morning and evening walk.

My last dog was VERY senior and had trouble walking at all by the time we bought this house, so the fence thing didn't even seem like an issue at the time. I have places I can take Remy to run off leash, but I can't tell you how much I miss the convenience of being able to just walk out in my back yard with him or how many times I've wished we could just play a game of fetch without using a long line.

We have HOA restrictions about fencing, but I've been seeing more and more pop up around the neighborhood recently, so I'll be petitioning our board to put up a fence since we do have a fairly large yard (at least for the suburbs).

I did try to adopt a dog through rescue before buying Remy, but I had two big strikes against me (young children and no fence) so my application was rejected.

Does the HOA restrict privacy fencing in the back? Most I have seen allow backyard.

michellejy · 06-17-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisande

Does the HOA restrict privacy fencing in the back? Most I have seen allow backyard.

There's actually a deed restriction against privacy fences, not just an HOA restriction. The city could fine us or force us to remove a privacy fence if we tried putting one up.

R2reddobes · 06-18-2010, 01:02 AM

When we brought our Dobe puppy home, we didn't have a fence but had planned to put one in ASAP. ASAP turned out to be 4 months later. So I was walking her on a leash for those months - even 2x-3x in the middle of the night. I was sooo happy when our fence was finally built. Fast forward 9 years later when I heard our boy in the backyard barking at "something" next door. That "something" was a coyote (we live in Chgo. suburbs). I know coyotes can jump fences but I felt better knowing that there was a fence between my dogs and that coyote. Another good reason to have a fence.

Dobesanddragons · 06-18-2010, 08:20 AM

I live in place with an HOA and have acres fenced. Can't imagine anything else owning Dobermans. They love to run all over the property, it is very nice for teaching recalls, fetching, agility (made some pieces), and everything in between. However, we don't use the yard as a substitution to getting them out and about, they still need lots of walks and trips to places with us, hiking, camping, training, etc.

mostlydobie · 06-18-2010, 08:29 AM

Well, it sure helps a lot for those middle-of-the-night potty emergencies ... and just imagine being sick and not being able to take the dog out ... can't imagine living without a fenced-in yard.

Invisible fences drive me crazy - partly because it's not very comforting to have some dog race at you full speed, preferably growling and barking, even if it does (hopefully) come to a screeching halt - but also because it provides no security for the dog itself.

We used to live in an area that was rife with stray dogs, lots of pit bulls with questionable histories, and where we live now, people seem to like dumping dogs at the end of the road - I would NOT want to have my dog out without protection from dogs (or people, for that matter) the way our neighbor's poor beagle is ... OH, and coyotes. Did I mention coyotes? Okay, so they usually only grab small dogs. But personally, I would NOT risk that.

CuriousMoves · 06-18-2010, 08:59 AM

I don't have a fenced in yard..and I probably won't for a very long time. This hasn't stopped me from owning one high energy dog, and fostering several others. My dogs are NEVER offleash in my yard. Period. They seem to get along just fine with that too!

I have a bunch of leashes at different lengths that help when it comes to exercising my dogs. I also live on a 100 acre property, so we can take a nice long walk on a 50ft leash and be happy..or we can hook up the WP harness with a small weight attached to it and I let my boy do whatever he wants in the fields. He always sticks close by with the weight attached. We've started working on offleash recall as well, but I've had to stop for now as it's farming season and there are lots of tractors about.

Point being, while I would absolutely love a fenced in yard for convenience sake, we get along just fine without one.

LuvnMyDobeAndDoxie · 06-18-2010, 09:10 AM

So do you think it has to do with the area?

Stray dogs....in 6 yrs we have seen 1 and the upstairs neighbor adopted her

Coyotes......chickens? Doberman? I'm thinking they'd go after the chickens and duck outside long before they'd want Anakin.