Can someone help me with this question, please?

[mom42terrificgirls]

We may be moving soon to a home with a chain link or rod iron fence. Is there something I can put on Callie and Finn's collars to keep them from going under until I have made sure there are no holes and escape routes? I was thinking like a large fishing bobber or something that doesn't weigh anything. A small floatie toy or something? Not a wooden spoon. The issue is going "under" not "through" railings. Thanks so much.

beth

P.S. I've been away because I GOT MARRIED!!!!

[kjwarnold]

Congratulations on your wedding!  

Im sure you'll get lots of ideas, but I just walk the fence line immediately when we are at a place with a fenced yard.  It doesn't take long and if there's a place where I think the dogs could get under, I just put a block or something in that place.  If I can't get it secure, then I just continue taking the dogs out on leash until it is.  We plan on installing a fence at the farm and I'd love to have something running under the fence (like railroad ties or blocks) to keep them from digging out.

[sanford]

Wow! A new marriage and a new home... What an exciting time for you!

I commend you for being so vigilant re the fencing. I have no experience in this matter, but it has been addressed by others here on the forum in the past, so maybe you'll find some ideas in the archives. Bottom line - as you know, these cairns are escape artists and will not give up trying to find or dig their way to an exit. I'm not sure what you mean by a fishing bobber or floatie toy, but they sound kind of awkward/cumbersome and might snag and injure the dog. I hope some experienced owners come up with suggestions for you.

Wishing you much happiness in your new life!

[Sam I Am]

I don't know why but we have had four terriers in our life, none of them diggers !If yours like digging why not create a spot, away from any fence line,  in your yard that they can dig to their hearts content.  I do have cement blocks up against some parts of the fence that isnt square to the ground. I agree with Sanford that anything tied to their colors could land up getting tangled and cause choking.

[mom42terrificgirls]

Thanks, everyone. You know, I never thought of it as a strangulation device. Duh. I will think of something. So far, all the homes we can afford are on corners or busy streets so I'm petrified of them slipping under. I usually stay out with them, but you know how quick they are! Thanks again.

[bradl]

Our house had a pretty sketchy old wooden fence when we got our first Cairn.  We blocked up the obvious broken boards etc. I  looked out one day to see Barley at the fence-line sort of punching each board, one after the other, to see if she could locate a loose one.  I went to home depot and got a couple rolls of that green vinyl-coated garden fence (I think maybe two feet high?) and stapled it to the entire run of fence. That took care of that until we replaced the fence.

I personally don't worry about digging that much because it typically takes them long enough that their spot is given away and we can reinforce that area. Plus they are not left unsupervised out there more than few minutes at a time so the main thing is to slow them down so you can catch them in the act, moreso than creating a Cairn Alcatraz.

[Idaho Cairns]

I think that's how I would deal with the matter--simple observation, turn the Cairns loose in the fenced area and watch their behavior.  We have never had a Cairn that was a digger so we have no experience with what they can accomplish in terms of digging. 
I do know that there are devices that can be attached to chained link fences to make the bottom rigid--they look somewhat like twisted welding irons--that would not prevent digging under but would prevent the dogs from using a "soft" spot in the fence to get out.
I would think that by simply watching your dogs' behaviors early on you will get an idea of what and how they treat their new environment and it would also give you a head start on any behavior modifications you need to make with the miscreants.

[Sam I Am]

Miscreants.

[sanford]

1 hour ago, bradl said:

...I personally don't worry about digging that much because it typically takes them long enough that their spot is given away ...

Keep dreaming Brad... Blink your eye, and the determined little  are in Perth!

Edited May 26, 2017 by sanford

[hheldorfer]

2 hours ago, sanford said:

Keep dreaming Brad... Blink your eye, and the determined little  are in Perth!

It also depends on the soil.  If you have hard clay a serious excavation takes longer.  If you have nice black garden soil with lots of organic matter in it, a tunnel under a fence will be a piece of cake for a determined Cairn.  We have great garden soil but luckily none of our dogs have ever shown an interest in digging - other than the occasional shallow fact-finding mission.

[Kathryn]

We used to have chain link, and my first dog, a small terrier-like mixed breed, figured out how to worm his way under it. I got tent stakes to tack down the fence and it worked well. I think lawn staples (like the ones we use to keep down soaker hose) would work well too.

 

[Lynn in TN]

Kelly loves to dig, but hasn't bothered trying to get out. The kids left the gate partially opened one day and she stood looking at it, and barked until we came and closed it. Prissy hates digging but is our escape artist she finds a way to get out without digging. Our soil is hard clay and she managed to get out several times without digging. It has been a year since she has gotten out though. 

[kieiras mom]

Guess were lucky, Keira only digs to catch moles. Has never bothered with digging around the fence (chain link)

[Dempsy's Mom]

I would walk the fence then let them out and observe.  I don't worry much about digging unless there is a rabbit or something that sparks their interest and then Elsie will dig.  Demps, no, just bark.  Congratulations!!