Sneaking Away

[Oliver]

We recently got our 5 month old pup, Oliver, and have not yet gotten a fence. Sometimes, we let him roam and play around the backyard off-leash and carefully keep our eyes on him. However, whenever he hears a noise, he runs towards it. Lately he's been sneaking into our neighbor's yards and we have to run onto their property to get him. It's becoming annoying, and while we want him to have the freedom of roaming the backyard off leash, we don't know what to do. We are still contacting different companies about building a fence... in the meanwhile, any suggestions? 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Can you use an Ex-pen?  Can you get a roll of garden fencing and stakes and fence off an area of your yard?

[Adina P]

I would treat trips outside the same as people who live in an apartment do.  Always on leash. You can buy loooong leashes if needed.  It's really OK for your dog to not have freedom until he has earned it (through training) or it is a fenced area. 

[Melissa and Willa Couch]

What about a wireless fence with a transmitter for a beeping or vibrating collar?  What are the thoughts on that?  I have read good reviews on them.  I will be picking up my baby girl July 30th and have the same question (to fence or not to fence).  I live in the county but still worry about her wondering off if I turn my back.  

[Doug, Micki, Dawson & Mya]

+1 on the wireless fence. The loml's daughter has two doodles and an wireless fence (Invisible Fence brand), and it keeps her doodles on the property.....

[Julie and Charlie]

How about a long training leash (25 or more feet)? Even if you didn't connect it to anything, you'll need to supervise anyway. If he did start sneaking away, you could easily catch the line and stop him.

[Robin & Josie]

Unless Oliver is RELIABLE about coming when you call him, my opinion, for what it's worth, is to never leave him off leash. He's still very much a puppy and should not be trusted. I vote long leash until you get a fence of some sort. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but a 5 month old puppy can be trusted as much as a two year old child. In other words, it's not possible to keep a close enough eye on him - he can escape in a flash. Put a leash on him and you will be happier.