Dogs naturally want to roam. The instinct to chase things like cars, animals, and people tempts them to leave the boundaries of your property. This is a big worry for many dog owners, and it’ll bring peace of mind for you and safety for your dog to have measures in place keeping them within your yard. You can place a physical boundary, or you can train them to stay – whatever works best for you and your pet.
Fences are the first solution to come to mind. Physical fences can be expensive to install, and may create visual barriers that you don’t want for your yard–especially the front yard. However, they are the safest and most effective option. They give you the freedom to let your dog out without having to watch them.
Invisible fences are also an option. These fences can be installed relatively easily and inexpensively, especially if you do it yourself. The shock dogs receive is enough to keep them within the boundary under normal circumstances; however, a particularly tempting chase can cause them to ignore the shock and jump over the boundary. Once they get out, it’s unlikely they’ll willingly come back over the line to return to your yard, since they’ll re-shock themselves in the process.
If you want to forego large fences and shock collars, you can try boundary training. Boundary training has been used for years as an old-school way to teach dogs where they’re allowed to go, and where they are not. This method might not work for every dog, and even when dogs do learn, it takes lots of consistency and time. Here’s how to do it.
- Establish a visible boundary, even if it is only small–it may be a line of stones, a shallow trench, or flags stuck in every foot or two around the boundary. Whatever you choose to use, it’s got to be enough to show your dog clearly where they are not allowed to go.
- With your pup on a leash, walk the boundary. Offer lots of treats as you do. If your dog attempts to cross the line, tell them “no” and pull them back. Once they’re back across the line, reward them with treats and praise.
- After they seem to get the hang of it, offer them a longer leash and more opportunity to cross over the line. Continue praising them as they choose to stay inside the lines, and scold them if they cross over. As they improve, practice allowing them to roam the yard off-leash–but make sure their recall is good enough for you to trust them to come when called. Call them back when they get close to crossing the line, and reward them every time they listen. Over time, your dog should come to understand the boundary well.
- Add distractions and temptations during training as well. Have friends or family members call the dog, or toss a toy over the line. Correct your dog if they try to cross, then have them wait while you retrieve the toy or until the person calling them enters the boundary.
Remember that this training, while helpful, is not 100% effective. You should still keep an eye on your dog while they are out, and understand that they may slip out accidentally. A physical fence barrier is the best way to ensure your dog remains safely and securely in your yard.
