Question on Cairn and new house w/o fence

[skelm]

We have a one year old cairn who lives in house with .2 acre fenced back yard. She is completly happy with that space and altough should could push under at places she seems content to stay put. We are moving to house on 4 acres with no fence. Pretty heavily forested. I am concerend that she may run off and visit the next door house or get lost. I can't fence the whole area and I would hate to ruin the beauty of the view with a small fenced in area around the house. Any suggestions

- Should I be worried?

- Will she be content with such a large yard and wander around then come back?

help!

[Tracy A.]

We are moving to house on 4 acres with no fence. Pretty heavily forested. I am concerend that she may run off and visit the next door house or get lost. I can't fence the whole area and I would hate to ruin the beauty of the view with a small fenced in area around the house. Any suggestions

- Should I be worried?

- Will she be content with such a large yard and wander around then come back?

help!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi:

We live on an acre that is fenced. Yesterday the boys (15 wks old) found a hole (in deep bushes) chewed into the fence (by something) and exited into my neighbors yard. Thankfully my husband was in the back yard with them and got them back into our yard with the promise of 'cookies'. The hole is now plugged, but I am having a dog run installed ASAP- because I know that I can not keep them from finding another way out- (digging, sqirming under- etc). For us, having a secure method for the puppies and still allowing them to enjoy being outside is the key. We are currently upgrading our fencing, going from chain link to wooden privacy fencing- but this will take another summer to complete- And even with that, if one of them really wants to find a way out- I have no doubt that they will.

Tracy

[Guest mrskti]

well, we live in the middle of 80 acres and I knew they'd take off in a heartbeat if they saw any critters, bird....or their favorite...chasing butterflies. We put in a 20x40 play yard for them and blocked off the 8x40 front porch too, they are perfectly content.....they actually like the porch best. I'd never turn them loose, frightens me to think of them heading off into the woods.

[jansop]

I live in a condo located in the city. Woods in front, busy road in the back. Booker got away from me couple of weeks ago in the middle of the night. After he finished raising cai®n, he just started walking down the street straight to the front porch.

I always walk him for potty breaks. He is never let loose to explore anything except that one night. I don't know if I would take any chances. I've honestly thought about selling the condo and finding a house with a fenced in yard.......jan

[Scully'sMom]

Be afraid...be very afraid...of these Cairns taking off to new adventures. I live in the city and am terrified of Scully getting loose. I've had WAY too many scarey times with her doing that.

[kayharley]

I agree.....they either need secure fencing (which should be checked daily) or a safe tie out with supervision, of course.

Cairns are sneaky little critters who will take any open opportunity to escape.

If you're worried about ruining a great view why not just take a section of your land that is not in full view and fence that in? You can always landscape around the fencing like I'm doing with my "doggie playground".

Although my entire backyard has a board on board fence, I sectioned part of it off just for the dogs. The fencing I used was ugly (heavy green wire) and I had to makeshift some gates with parts of ex-pens. But it's been fun planting non-toxic perennials on the OUTSIDE part of the fencing (I'm not that stupid to plant inside ) a few shrubs and within a year or two the fence will blend into the gardens.

Depending on your financial situation, there are some gorgeous wood fences that could easily fit in a country setting.

Bottom line is this....never trust your Cairn loose no matter how well it's trained.

[skelm]

We have a one year old cairn who lives in house with  .2 acre fenced back yard. She is completly happy with that space and altough should could push under at places she seems content to stay put. We are moving to house on 4 acres with no fence. Pretty heavily forested. I am concerend that she may run off and visit the next door house or get lost. I can't fence the whole area and I would hate to ruin the beauty of the view with a small fenced in area around the house. Any suggestions

- Should I be worried?

- Will she be content with such a large yard and wander around then come back?

help!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thought I would give a quick update. We moved did not get fence - tried the Cairn out for awhile before spending the $$$$ on a fence. She explored the forrest but generally sticks by the house. We probably got lucky with this Cairn and her temperment. We have been in the house for 1 year now with no lost Cairn. The only thing is she visits the next door house (as they have kids) luckily they dont mind.

[binkyrab]

Hi I think it's a bit risky no matter how well trained cairns are if they see a rabbit or something of intrest they will be off. its in there nature being terriers.

Binky.

[Anna_525]

I agree with what has been posted. Once your cairn will see other animals run by, she will be looking for them next time if her cairn instincts are strong. We have .93 acre with no fence and like you, we are hesitant to put a fence due to aesthetics. Alfie spends hours in our screened in porch on the lookout for deer, ducks, etc. because he has seen them, so we are very sure he will run off if we let him lose.

[Guest Eli]

Woof! Most of you here are opposed to the invisible fence, which we have already discussed at length. But I would like to repeat: If installed properly and with proper training it is an option. It makes me mad to think that some of you think we cairns are not smart enough and have no memory. You know that's not true. I LOVE my invisible fence. It gives me LOTS of room to run safely. I learned quickly and do not run thru for squirrels or kids or other dogs. I do not run thru. I step back at the warning beep. And I DO remember. I am tested daily. And I can't dig or sneak out of it! So there! And tho the Alpha B is dumb, she is smart enough to change the batteries when needed.

Woof! Eli

[Brody'sMom]

My two would be off like a shot after some critter!

[toomanypaws]

Although we do have a large fenced yard, I seriously doubt my two youngest would run off from me, but I won't chance it. My oldest has gotten away a couple of times and I was fortunate enough to get her back. Once, a lady appeared out of no where and caught her. The other time was at night and Kiara took off to the lake behind our house. I quickly turned my Aussie loose through the back gate and told him to "get Kiara", and that wonderful dog herded her back through the gate. I guess for me, it's just not worth taking the risk. I've heard too many dog owners say after their beloved pet ran away, "he's never done that before."

[Mollyrocker]

another concern is what can get to your Cairn if not fenced in with a physical barrier...

In our area, I would be concerned about coyotes...

[abe's dad]

another concern....a few times when we are trying to work and have left they have gotten through the gate our dogs have gotten out on us-well they think it is a big game of run & chase. Even if they are not interested in running for the hills. I would be so afraid that one time is all it takes for your dog to get interested in pursuing something and be gone.

[Anna_525]

Woof!  Most of you here are opposed to the invisible fence, which we have already discussed at length.  But I would like to repeat:  If installed properly and with proper training it is an option.  Woof!  Eli

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eli,

Alfie here! I just finished reporting my last activity in another thread, or, as my uprights call it, the foiled escape. I hear them talking lately about adding a new shed and a physical fence behind it, and I think they already talked to some fence official or something. They did talk also about an invisible fence but the lady boss said that I dig too much, the backyard will look like the MOON if they let me play in the entire backyard (boy, are they dumb, I don't care if it looks like Mars so what is it to them?). So they want to designate an area for me so I can dig and dig and they will not have to patch it up with that green stuff that I am allergic to, anyway. Woof!

[Eliz222]

We don't have a fenced in yard, and it's a real PAIN!!! We have a tie out that we use quite often. Having the tie out (they have access to most of the backyard) allows the dogs to be outside while we are tending the garden or just hanging out. I wish we had a fence, but we just can't afford the fencing the city would make us put in (no metal) because it would be close to 20k to put in!

We have a large deck and DH built gates for the steps so now (they are out there now) they can still be outside when the yard is really muddy. Scout, especially, LOVES sitting on the deck watching the backyard. I took some new pics today, but I'll post them in another post.

[CathyAnn]

Shoe.....good to see you again. Hope you are feeling better?

Wow, 20k for a fence is very expensive. You must have a large lot??

We put one in about 11 years ago and we were dictated by our homeowner's association as to what type we could have. It had to be wood, only 4 feet high and could not extend past the perimeter of the back of the house.

I am thankful we have one, but, personally, I'd prefer the vinyl fencing next time. The wood ones don't last long enough. Ours will most likely need to be replaced within the next few years.

Cathy

[Eliz222]

Thanks, Cathy! I am feeling better.....had surgery on the 2nd of March so I'm back to exercising Scout and Finch in creative ways....Finch loves to "fetch" the frisbee up and down the stairs. It wears her out and gets rid of her "pent up" energy until I can walk them again. I have had family members take them on walks and DH will walk them every few days or so. I just wish I didn't feel so much guilt not being able to throw a frisbee for Finch.....she just carries it around the house with her...poor thing!

Yes, we have a fairly large lot and I think we should put in a vinyl fence since we have a large deck using this material so I don't think a wooden fence would look as nice. Maybe I need to start playing the lottery!

[tena]

Sophie is rarely off leash and would take off like a rocket for a squirrel.

I've never had the opportunity to turn her loose in acerage....but somehow think the end result would be her lost in the woods and me hunting for her. WV has some strange landshapes, and critters.

[toomanypaws]

Shoe, I know what you mean about the price of vinyl fencing. We did wood 3 yrs ago and it's already starting to look worn, even after being painted. Glad to see you back posting. Glad you're feeling better and praying for you to have continued strength.

[LizzieP]

We live in a very remote, very rural area. Our road, which is seldom travelled, is about 1/4 mile away. Our property sits above the Payette River and is bordered by BLM land. Finnegan is 8 mos. old and up to a few weeks ago we took him out on the leash only. We did let him off leash for short periods of time to see how he would do and he stayed right around the house exploring. We gradually gave him more freedom and now he wees and poos on his own during the daylight hours. We have deer and elk and other critters and Finn does chase them . However, there is a limit to his chasing and he comes back in a few minutes, tongue hanging out and happy as a clam as he chased away the big furry monsters off his property. Today he was out and about for quite awhile - never going too far but happy exploring in the spring sunshine.

Here's my thought on all this on leash and off leash debate. IF I lived in the suburbs or the city, of course I would never let my baby roam free or off leash but I am fortunate to live where I do and I feel comfortable letting Finnegan have the freedom he desires. I can't imagine that 150+ years ago Scottish farmers were taking their Cairn's out to do their work on a leash in the countryside or taking them out in the yard on a lead to wee.

These animals are our babies and we love them dearly, but they are dogs. I have no fear that Finn will get lost while out and about on our property but, of course, if I dropped him off in strange surroundings he would get lost. These guys are SMART!

Do what you are comfortable with...I know that I have one fortunate and happy puppy here in the wilds of Idaho - doing what he does best...looking for mice and chipmunks and running amuck in the mountains.

Finn's Mum

[brin145]

We just had a fence built a couple of weeks ago and Crunch has been in heaven. We never let Crunch outside off leash. We have tons of stray dogs that roam the neighborhood (big dogs- but Crunch doesn't seem to know it!). We live on a lot just shy of an acre. The fence is a partial area adjoining the back of the house. It is only 4 ft. high so you can still see the woods, etc. The slats are spaced 1.5 " apart.

Here are some pics:

[Cairnmania]

Here's my thought on all this on leash and off leash debate.  IF I lived in the suburbs or the city, of course I would never let my baby roam free or off leash but I am fortunate to live where I do and I feel comfortable letting Finnegan have the freedom he desires.  I can't imagine that 150+ years ago Scottish farmers were taking their Cairn's out to do their work on a leash in the countryside or taking them out in the yard on a lead to wee. 

These animals are our babies and we love them dearly, but they are dogs.  I have no fear that Finn will get lost while out and about on our property but, of course, if I dropped him off in strange surroundings he would get lost.  These guys are SMART! 

Do what you are comfortable with...I know that I have one fortunate and happy puppy here in the wilds of Idaho - doing what he does best...looking for mice and chipmunks and running amuck in the mountains.

Finn's Mum

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well... I'm with the fencing crowd :-) Finn is only 8 months old - wait until he's a bit older and more confident. He may not be so inclined to spend all his time near the house.

150 years ago the Scottish farmers would have kenneled their dogs, not let them run free. Although they obviously let them loose when they were working them - the dogs were not pets. If one got lost for most it would have been the same as losing a piece of property - not like losing a creature you love dearly. Working dogs were tools - not objects of affection. And when the dog ceased to be of value for it's working ability - maybe it was too old and slow, or ripped a muscle that would not heal -- it was dispatched from this life very quickly.

Here's the other piece - as someone else mentioned. If you are in the wilds of Idaho whilst Finn is hunting mice something a lot bigger might just be hunting Finn. Coyote or mountain lion perhaps. I know even in semi-rural Connecticut where I used to live the coyotes used to pluck cats and small dogs right from people's backyards. I know someone who watched as a coyote came out of the woods, grabbed her Cairn and ran off with it, luckily she reacted really quickly and screamed - which startled the coyote so much it dropped her dog. The coyote lost a tastey snack and showed up the next evening for a repeat attempt. With no fencing the Cairn was again outside for his evening pee - with his owner watching closely. Coyotes are quick, they are not dumb either so this time it anticipated the woman's screams ... and you know the end of this story. This was a lovely dog. It had never been fenced and it never wandered off. It's owner ran a riding stable and the Cairn was the delight of owners, riders, stablehands and good company for the horses. A horrible end to a delightful dog.

I cannot fence my garden fully, I've got a not very Cairn-proof fence wire around most of it. So I use the equivalent of an Invisible Fence as well - it's not foolproof, nothing is, but it is much better than nothing. You could easily use it on your property - you don't even need to bury the wire, you just lay it on top of the ground and eventually nature buries it for you. :-) It's true that dogs are not dumb and they will eventually make their way home. At least 99.9% of the time. If Finn was my dog and I lived where you do I would fence off an area around the house that was within eyesight. It will not keep out the coyotes - but it will give Finn a lot of freedom in an easily supervised area.

I do let one of my Cairns off lead in our local Common area - its fields and a wooded area - so I'm not someone who believes you can never let a Cairn off lead. (There are several other Cairns, lots of Westies, Jack Russels and so on - all who are happily off lead.) Long walks in the woods with his human would be wonderful. However, I would never, ever, leave my dogs off lead without me right there.

Stacey

[toomanypaws]

Nice yard, Brin! Crunch looks very happy.

[CathyAnn]

Crunch does indeed look to be in heaven!!!

Cathy