5 Essential Tips to Keep Your Dog Safely in the Yard (and Out of the ER)
A must read for anyone with a dog and a garden
When I was in the 7th grade, my dog got hit by a car.
She was only two years old; I was twelve.
She was my best friend, and I was devastated.
She met her match in the middle of a busy NY highway. We didn’t find her until a week later.
As a veterinarian, I’ve seen similar cases far too often. Folks let their pets out into their backyard or garden thinking that they’re safely enjoying the outdoors. They get distracted and when they finally think to check, the dog is gone.
Accidents happen, but there are things we can do to mitigate that risk.
If you have a dog that you let out into the garden to do their business, heed these 5 tips to make sure your dog stays secure in the garden this summer.
1. Secure the gate and keep it latched
We need a sturdy gate that latches in and isn’t made of a flexible material such that they push through at the bottom. If it’s bendy, double-latch it.
No swinging gates or push-doors.
Wood gates should be regularly checked for their durability and to ensure they’re not being chewed at or eroded at the bottom.
If you have a toddler that can reach the latch, put a lock on it. And if your kid is old enough to work through that, make sure you explain to them the importance of keeping the gate securely closed, and what the consequences might be if they don’t.
2. Regularly surveil the yard perimeter and maintain its integrity
If your fence is made of wood, chainlink, or something that tends to break down over time, make sure you’re regularly replacing it.
If you have a solid or cement wall around your yard, make sure it’s tall enough that your dog can’t scale it. It might sound crazy, but you’d be surprised what they can do.
Check for holes dug under the fence.
3. Spay / neuter your dog
One of the main reasons our pets try to break out of the yard/garden is if they’re looking for a mate. Sterilizing them can help reduce their urge to leave their home environment in search of one.
4. Proactively socialize your dog from a young age
Some dogs that are aggressive or poorly socialized will also try to hop the fence and defend the property. Socializing your dog from an early age with people and other dogs can help to reduce this risk.
5. Don’t leave your dog in the garden unattended or for long periods unmonitored
Maybe you got the yard so you could let your dog outside without the extra effort, I get it. But just like young children, it’s always better if you keep an eye on your dog.
And NEVER leave them alone in the yard when you’re not home.
I wish I could go back in time and give my parents this advice.
We had a defect in our gate, and one day when we left Cocoa home alone in the yard, she broke through it. She was an intact dog; maybe she was looking for a mate. Maybe she was looking for me.
I still miss her every day.
Dr. Sami
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I wish my neighbors would read this. Yesterday I watched their unleashed German Shepherd chase a truck and nearly get hit, with their little kids also looking on. We do live in the country, and one of our beloved dogs got porcupined right out in the front yard. He survived that, but it wasn't fun.