[Annie McDougal]

Our lab mix (lab/whippet? lab/weim? lab/weim/whippet? - we aren't sure) is quite agile and athletic. We replaced our 4 ft stockade fence (which she jumped like a hurdle) with a 6 ft stockade fence to keep her in the yard. Within 12 hours (and several hundred dollars spent), she figured out how to jump the 6 ft. too. She doesn't climb up the fence...she jumps to the top, from an almost seated position, perches like a bird , then makes her way to the ground. From there, she takes off at a full sprint and comes back if/when she feels like it. We live near a very busy street and are worried about her getting hit. I wouldn't believe this if I hadn't seen it and many people, even after seeing it still don't believe it. Suggestions welcome!

 

[pugmom]

Add some kind of wire fencing at the top ...kinda like this...

 

[Kyllobernese]

I have also seen where people have put a pipe that rolls, along the top of the fence. When they jump up and try and perch on the top, it rolls and they fall back into the yard. It wouldn't work if they are clearing the fence but since she is perching on the top it would stop her.

 

[Marsh Muppet]

Our lab mix (lab/whippet? lab/weim? lab/weim/whippet? - we aren't sure) is quite agile and athletic. We replaced our 4 ft stockade fence (which she jumped like a hurdle) with a 6 ft stockade fence to keep her in the yard. Within 12 hours (and several hundred dollars spent), she figured out how to jump the 6 ft. too.

For a dog like that, a 6 ft. fence is considered exercise equipment. You could extend the height of the fence with wire mesh, but then you might discover she does know how to climb. You can thwart that by angling the wire mesh extension inward, but then you may discover she knows how to dig. You could install hot wires, radio fencing, etc., only discover you've run out of money before she's run out solutions.

The ugly truth is that supervision and training trump mechanical containment every time. About the only way around that reality is a secure, covered run, on a concrete pad. Something along the lines of #6 gauge welded wire kennel run with all the amenities (shade, shelter, wind break).

 

[Annie McDougal]

Thank you for the suggestions. I think we're gonna try the pipe trick (my husband works with them for a living...lots laying around). After that...we'll see. I like the mention that a dog like her sees a 6 ft. fence as exercise equipment! So true! Wish we had realized before, but...

Thanks for the suggestions - much appreciated.