Alternatives for fence

[Michelle & Ruepunzel]

We are moving out of our condo, into a house with a pretty large yard. Behind the yard is a field that the neighborhood kids play softball, soccer, and fun things of that nature in. We have decided we do not want to fence the yard in because it cuts into the field. We do not mind the kids playing in our yard, sometimes we go play with them, too. The house used to be our parents'. I want to let Rue run out and play when no one is around, but at the same time, I don't want to risk her possibly jumping into the dead end street that runs alongside the house.

Any suggestions on keeping her in the yard without a fence? She's a stinker and has mastered the "puppy dog" face. lol

[Brittney & Cally]

Have you thought about maybe fencing in the yard but putting an extra gate on the side where the field is so you can have it open when you want but close it when you do not want Rue to run where ever she wants? You can have one of those extra big gates that open up so it just adds to your yard space but it can keep your dog in and others out when you want.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Could you consider fencing just part of the yard.  You have to be really careful when you back up to undeveloped land as you will have lots of critters most likely.  You don't want her to take off after a rabbit or deer or something like that.  You could consider invisible fence, but I would have to have a dog with a 100% dependable recall before I let them out in an unfenced area.  Too many temptations.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I would do an efence.  We have a huge backyard and it has worked really well for us. You have to do a lot of training, but both of my dogs have done wonderfully with it - won't cross for deer, etc...

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I also would consider fencing at least part of the yard large enough that you can play ball with her, etc.  We have several neighbors that have electric fences, but occasionally their dogs get out and have been wandering around the neighborhood.  I prefer a real fence mainly for safety reasons.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Could you fence a side of the house, leaving the rest open?  If you fenced an area, you could have Rue there when you don't want to specifically supervise her - like when she is watching you all play.....

[Kyoko]

She is so cute!! I am a fan of the fence. So I have to say yes to the fence!! :-)

[Kris and Sawyer]

We use the PetSafe wireless fence. Love it. Took him two times around the yard to figure out his boundaries. Never have had any issues with it. We don't leave him out there for long amounts of time by himself. I had to leave for a week to help my dad with my mom who was in the hospital. My kids often forgot to put his collar on while I was gone and he never attempted to leave the yard. I wouldn't recommend that tho!!

[Diana Erhart]

I think the electric fence will depend on Rue's personality.  My Charlie is extremely well behaved.  However, he has a very high prey instinct.  We have an electric fence in our current yard.  I can leave him out and 99% of the time he respects the fence.  BUT, when there is a bunny or some other prey in the yard he bolts right through it.  I don't think he even feels the jolt.  Therefore, I cannot leave him outside without me being out there with him.  We have an open field behind our house too.  I really wish we could have done a physical fence but it wasn't a possibility at this house.  So I still have to get bundled up in the winter to take him out at night on a leash because you never know when a deer or some other critter will be lurking in the yard.  If Rue does not have a high prey instinct the electric fence may work but that is not the case for us.  

[Michelle & Ruepunzel]

Thank you everyone for your feedback!! I am pushing hard for the fence & that's a great idea for the gate to open up to the field. I am working on coercing the boss about the fence!!

[Leslie J]

I would worry that one of the kids might (not necessarily meaning any harm) pull him across an efence because he is so adorable! Who could resist wanting to play with him? Or an aggressive dog might come into your yard. If he's never out alone (my dog isn't because we live in the city) then the efence might work out fine.

[Michelle & Ruepunzel]

That could be a problem, too. Everyone in the neighborhood has dogs and Rue loves people as much as she loves other dogs. I don't think she could resist running behind the yard to go play.