If you have stepped outside into your yard only to find your dog has gone over the fence and escaped, it is quite likely that you are not the only one. Many dog owners cope with this annoying, sometimes risky, bad behavior. A dog can get hurt trying to scale a fence; they can also get into accidents, attack other animals, or, in the worst case, disappear. Is there a way to put a stop to it?

In this article, we will understand the specific reasons for dogs jumping fences, and we will offer solutions. Training, physical prevention methods, you name it, we've got it!

Why Do Dogs Jump Over The Fences?

Before answering the pertinent question, let's look at some of the dog's indications. Some people wonder how this can be possible, and several reasons support this phenomenon.

Boredom: These animals require both physical and mental activity. If there are no long walks, play, or any other type of intervention, a dog would want to jump the fence because nothing is interesting happening.
Chasing Prey: For whatever reason, your puppy spots a squirrel, some rabbits, or any other small animal and will do all within its power to fly over the fence.
Separation Anxiety: Whenever the dog owners or its owners have to leave the area for a long time, the dog keeps whining and wanting to escape or go out alone due to the reasons of separation, normal.
Diana Holidays: A few select canine breeds will love nothing but the great outdoors and the surroundings outside their yard, fence, or house.
Sexual Drive: Dogs without a license from a vet who specializes in animal reproduction will find a way outside to seek a partner, especially when in heat.
Distress or Fear: This can be explained as shyness from other dogs or any loud noises that may be present, such as hurricanes and even fireworks.

Now that we know the reasons let's move on to strategies that can help prevent this behavior.

Raise the Fence

This may sound elementary, still increasing the height of your fence is always the first line of defense mechanism. If your dog is unable to jump over it physically, there will be no way that they will run away from home! However, the height that you will need will depend on the breed and size of your dog. Some of the active breeds of dogs, for example, greyhounds or border collies, would effortlessly jump over a six-foot fence. Hence, you may need to go a notch higher or look for alternatives.

Ideas for Adding to Your Existing Fence Structure

Add an inward-facing angled extension: This article explains how to add an inward-facing angled extension at the top of your fence, which makes it more difficult for dogs to jump over the wall.
Use PVC piping: This is done by using a PVC pipe at the top of the fence, so your dog would find it easier to get a hold of it since the surface is slippery.
Coyote Rollers: They are simply rolling bars at the top of the fence that makes it impossible for the dog to grip sufficient support and climb over the wall.

Sight Disable, Your Dog

Just like the previous situation, fences are also jumped over by many dogs because they can see something enticing or threatening on the other side. What most dogs enjoy helps with this is simply blocking their sight away from such a visual advantage.

Ways to Block the View:

Construction of Privacy Screens: You can use a privet fence with screens or panels attached that can deny the opportunity for your dog to see what is on the other side of the wall.
Tall Shrubs: For those who wish to decorate their yard with flowers, taller shrubs or hedges will be able to obstruct the dog's view.
Apply Fencing Slats: Chain-link fences in places where the dog's view has to be blocked can incorporate wooden or vinyl slats that would otherwise be not in the usual configuration.

Preventing your puppy from having a view of the outside means they would be pruned of many stimuli that are compelling them to jump.

Give More Exercise and mental Stimulation:

An exercised dog will not take the liberty to entertain itself by doing something else, such as jumping fences. Exercise, quality, and quantity period appropriate to a specific size and breed of the dog must be observed. For dogs with high energy levels; fresh walks or jogs every day, the use of interactive toys and playing regularly are a must to tire them out.

Other avenues of stimulation on Physical and Mental include:

Regular walks or running: even a brisk 5-minute walk helps in changing a dog's attitude, even towards the smallest things.
Agility Training: You can make use of the backyard and create a dog agility course. It will not only engage your dog but will instill some expression.
Interactive Toy: Puzzle toys, Kong filled with treats, or even a backyard treasure hunt can mentally challenge your dog.

Because a dog's body and brain are busy, it has little to no desire to run away due to boredom.

Install an Invisible Barrier

Invisible or electric fences can be used as a secondary barrier to prevent your dog from reaching the perimeter. These fences emit a small shock when your dog gets too close, creating a deterrent. It's important to note that this solution is somewhat controversial, and many owners opt not to use it due to concerns over the safety and ethics of shocking their pets.

Considerations for Invisible Fencing:

Proper Preparation: An invisible fencing system can be effective. However, your dog has to be well-ingrained to avoid going beyond set limits. In the absence of such training, however, dogs get lost and anxious.
Supervision: Monitoring your dog, even when using an invisible fence is critical to ascertain that the fence is working correctly.

Train your dog to Respect boundaries.

One of the most effective ways to stop fence-jumping is through consistent training. Training your dog to respect boundaries takes time and patience, but the results can be long-lasting.

Training Tips:

Positive Reinforcement: Once you have established the borders of the yard and the dogs are inside, give Mashka a treat or praise to make this an enjoyable occasion.
Positive commands: Try and teach your dog clinical heresies that will teach her "stay" and "off" to avoid jumping the fences or gate.
Boundary Training: While leashing the dog, exercise them along the fence. Please encourage them to ignore the wall, Then, they will understand it there is a limit.

Many people tend to use many ways of overcoming such behavior, such as using a physical barrier. However, it is better to train the animal, and the behavior would not occur in the first place.

Let the Yard be Probably the Most Enjoyable Place

Perhaps your dog has started to jump the fence because they do not find it pleasant in the yard. Make an effort to engage them to stay in the yard and to make it more interesting.

How to Make Your Yard More Interesting:

Add Toys: Make sure that there are enough toys for them to chew on and play with. Chew toys, balls, or tug-of-war ropes can entertain your dog.
Create Shaded Areas: Make sure to create shaded areas, especially in summer, for your dog's comfort.
Put up a Dig Pit: Some dogs enjoy the process of digging. Construct a designated area for them to dig in that won't get them into trouble.

If your dog is happy in his/their yard, they will not make attempts to go looking for an escape.

Address Separation Anxiety

In such cases, a dog may be trying to escape from the dog fence primarily for the reason that he experiences separation anxiety, and so this problem needs to be tackled. This is likely to call for behavioral modification, possibly anti-anxiety medication, and, in some cases, treatment by a dog psychologist. Some dogs will do well with crate training when they are left alone, while other dogs sometimes require that you leave them with smelly blankets/toys to ease their anxiety.

Treat First, Treat Separation Anxiety:

Desensitization: Try to gradually accustom your dog to staying alone for short periods and then increase that time only little by little.
Calming Aids: In some cases, a dog is more responsive to some calming assistive device like a collar or calming supplements.
Routine: Developing a stimulating environment particular for the dog minimizes stress when your dog has to be left by himself.

Preventing your dog from scaling the fence requires a combination of barriers, mental stimulation, and training. Whether you opt to reinforce the current fence with a cover, make the fence taller, or utilize boundary training, you have to be consistent in everything. By knowing how and why your dog thinks, you can provide safety and tranquility.

Keep in mind that the goal is not only to prevent the action but rather to make sure that the dog does not desire to escape in the first place. This means keeping them busy, giving them enough exercise, and making them feel secure would work wonderfully.

FAQs

Is it possible to use chicken wire to stop my dog from jumping the fence?
- Yes, chicken wire can be placed on the top of the fence although most people would appreciate it to prevent digging. If there is uniform tension, it has some effect as a slanting barrier.
What's the fence suitable height that guarantees that dogs can't jump over the wall?
- Most dogs do not scale a 6-foot high fence, and such a situation does indeed work. If your dog is an athletic jumper, however, you may have to go higher or attach an angled extension.
Is it appropriate to correct a dog that jumps the fence by punishing the dog?
- No. However, punishment has its negative side; in this case, it may cause more stress and worsen the situation. In this case, use positive reinforcement and consistent training instead.