Afraid of new physical fence...?

[April S.]

Today we had our backyard fenced in.  I was so excited to finally be able to take Luna out and play without a leash and not have to worry.   We got a black chainlink and white privacy facing the road.  She seems to be afraid of it - she is pacing around the entire perimeter of it - but won't go in the middle of the yard - refused to go potty within the fenced area - I encouraged - brought treats.  I tried to get her to play - brought her favorite toy - she loves to fetch - and she just looked at me blankly when I threw it.  Is it just going to take some time or do I need to desensitize her to it - I have no idea why she would be wary of it ? the smell maybe?   

[John Wang]

Just give her some time. The smell of the fence and the residual scents of the people might have something to do with it. I wouldn't try to do anything out of the ordinary, just let her into the yard and do some gardening as though the fence isn't anything special. Once they see you're not concerned, they'll grow to accept it. (Imagine if suddenly your world had massive boundaries that weren't there before..!) I bet in a week Luna would be out and about. I'm so jealous you have a yard! We live in a condo so the only time Boomer can run around freely is when we open our garage door and block it with his pen, otherwise he's always on a leash.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Agreed on giving her time.  It's new! These guys become such creatures of habit!     We just put in a another water barrel the other day ( conserves and catches rain water) and you would have thought that the Boogey Man was attacking Enzo!  She ran out and must have barked at it for a full 5 minutes.  After that, I guess she figured it was here to stay and now, never even gives it a second look.

  The fence too, will become just an everyday thing for her.

[Judi Kilpatrick]

I have a fenced yard and let the boys out (one almost 5 mts, one 5 1/2 mts) but they were trained to potty on leash so I'm still having a problem with them going potty off leash. They run around and play but I end up having to leash them to get them to potty. Maybe walk Luna around the perimeter to go potty on leash so she isn't afraid and with a little luck she will go back to those spots off leash. I'm still trying to make that happen..good luck!

[Julie and Max]

I agree with John, just try to act like it's nothing special and she will get used it it and will eventually love the freedom she has in a fenced yard. :)

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

I agree with John.  Act like nothing is different and give her some time.  

But if this puts what you are experiencing with Luna in perspective, Hurley backs away from anyone that has a hat or baseball cap on even if he knows the person.  We ignore it and use our' look who is here' excited voice saying Hurley's name while we walk up to the person.  Doesn't matter he will not get so close until the hat/cap comes off.  Weird!!! 

[April S.]

She has finally warmed up to it!   Now I want my hubby to build a special potty area for her so I don't have to hunt for it!  She goes ALL over the yard.