Doodles without a fenced yard

[Jen & Ember]

Hi there. I am excitedly/impatiently awaiting the arrival of my doodle in late August/early September and have been planning like crazy in order to help pass the time.

 

I live in a (small) house which does not have a back yard. It does have a fairly large front yard and a patio area. The patio area is in front of the front door, and is all gravel, with a privacy fence that does not have a gate. The yard itself is not fenced except at the border between properties.

 

I am wondering about others' experiences with having a doodle and no fenced-in yard. Thoughts? 

 

Also... does gravel hurt dogs feet?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I live in an apartment and it is fine. It would be so convenient to have a back yard in the cold winters, but other than that, I'm glad I don't have a yard because this way I'm forced to get out and get active instead of just letting her run around in the yard. Sometimes when we go out I think, "this will just be a quick one" but when I get out there and it's nice out, the next thing I know we're trudging home an hour or two later after spending so much time at the dog park or playing with other dogs in the neighbourhood. I live in an area that's loaded with parks and walking trails and every other person has a dog so I'm lucky.

 

I'm not sure about gravel.

 

I'm really excited about seeing your puppy. What kind of doodle is it? 

[Jen & Ember]

Love that.  Thank you for your thoughts!  I am looking forward to that very thing you are describing--getting out, being social, enjoying that special time with my soon-to-be pup. :)

 

I'm getting a double doodle (GDxLD) and he/she should be ready to come home in Sept! So excited.

[Jen & Ember]

Yes - leash all the time for sure.  I wondered if maybe an expen type situation could work out for some free romping room outside when it's nice out... especially since I won't be frequenting dog parks until pup is fully vaccinated.

 

Thanks for explaining a bit about the electric fencing. Good to get info on that option! I'm renting my place, so not sure about anything in-ground or if it makes sense expense-wise for me at this place since I anticipate a move within the next few years. Good to ruminate on though. Thank you!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

we are thinking about getting the underground fence..we will bring home 8wk ond lilly the end of july. at what age should we start her on this??

[shelly]

Same here!  No fence - large property and too expensive to fence.  I walk Tori on a leash to go potty in an area in our side yard.... when we take her out to play, we put one long lease attached to her collar and loop another long leash through the handle of the first leash.  Then we let her run "loose" with the leash attached and dragging....this way she 'thinks' she's on a leash so she doesn't run off and if she did we could easily step on the leash or grab one end.  Sometimes while she's running and jumping to catch a Frisbee or ball, she does get a bit tangled, but not anything major.  I really don't think she'd take off, but I don't want to take a chance of her chasing a squirrel or rabbit or something.  Can't wait to see pictures and hear all about your new puppy!

[Camilla and Darwin]

We've done fine without a yard. We live in an upstairs apartment so the only outdoor space that is our own is a small balcony. Luckily our apartment complex has a fenced in dog park, and we take Darwin to other off leash parks, as well as doggy daycare. Darwin pees on wood chips, gravel or grass. And I don't think that the gravel would be too bad on a dog's feet... but I'm unsure.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

We live in a golf community that won't allow us to have a fence as we back up to a lake.  We thought about the electric fence idea but those darn gators won't wear the collars - ha ha.  So we are 100% on leash at all times.  When Rooney was really small we'd let him off leash in our yard to play ball but then he started getting zoomies and we were afraid he'd run out into the road.  For secure off leash play we must go to the park. 

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

loved your comment about the gators not wearing collars... our florida house backs up to a lake(which we call the gator pond) so we can not have a fence (gated community bylaws thing) but will get one for our country home in Nebraska. I still won't let her out unsupervised since other critters can come in the yard.

[Connie & Bocelli]

 I live in a townhouse and have a very small 'patch' of a back yard.  I take Bo outside on a leash to go potty.  The first 2 days I had him it rained almost continually and I was wondering 'What the hell was I thinking?" but I just put on a raincoat, grabbed my umbrella and out we went.  I have a basket right next to the sliding glass door with an umbrella, towel and wipes so I have easy access to the necessities when we go out if needed.  

Bo is just under 12 weeks old so he's not big enough yet for long walks but I do take him around the block 3-4 times a day so he gets used to walking with a leash and it also gets me moving.  I don't let him on anyone else's grass yet as he's not fully inoculated but I think it's great that he and I are getting some exercise instead of just opening up a door to let him go outside to do his business.

There are times I wish I had a fenced in yard especially since I can't let him off leash to romp and play but when he's older, I'll be taking him to the doggie park and also to doggie day camp for fun and socialization.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

great idea about the basket with all the stuff in it.. I am going to borrow this idea.. we ahve a few wks to go but everytime it storms or we have tornado watch/warnings.. Ithink the same thing..what was I thinking getting a puppy.

[Jennifer Tramell]

About the gravel, we have a gravel sidewalk and long driveway.  My dogs have been on gravel since they were little and I've not seen any ill effects.  They don't mind it or they would opt for the lawn instead of gravel but there doesn't seem to be a preference.  I have noticed that their toenails don't get very long - I think the gravel keeps them naturally filed.

[Frannie & Callie]

I also live in a townhouse with no yard. I have concrete pad patio, and sometimes wish it was grass! We take leash walks and it works out fine. We also have a community park, and I would suggest that you find a park you like because it's great and social for both of y'all! Congrats on the new pup!