Good Fence Height

[RockyCairn]

First off, my yard is actually fenced all around with 6 foot fencing, so Hamlet will not be able to jump this. I do have to put some chicken wire in a couple of areas as he will definitely be able to dig underneath these. My yard is 80 feet long by 25 feet wide. I live in a semi-detached house (2 units side by side). However, I want to subdivide my yard, so that the dogs can have half, and I can garden in the other half. My plan is to run a fence along the width about half way down the yard. This will provide a 40' x 25' area to run around and play. It will also leave me with the same size area to garden. Will a 3 foot height be enough or do you think Hamlet will be able to jump it? I plan to use the 2" x 2" mesh kennel type fence.

I can also plant some bushes along the dog side to help discourage the need to jump. I am willing to go to 4 feet, but feel the three feet will not make the yard feel as small as a 4 foot would.

And of course, we need a current picture. Hamlet now has ears (No longer floppy)

Thanks

Ward and Hamlet.

[lacy]

I don't know specifically about a fence but we have always used a baby gate inside the house. It is about three feet,maybe a little less. Kris was able to maneuver over it a few times when he was smaller but I really doubt he could get over it now. We used it when we first started letting him stay out of his crate when we were gone (kept him just in the kitchen). I think the key is to teach them that thwy are not suppose to cross it. Once he learns to stay on the side I think you would be fine.

P.S. Hamlet is a cutie! And I love that name!

[RockyCairn]

Thanks Lacy. We use a walk through gate in the house to contain him now. He is a little too small to jump over it yet. It is about 36" high. I know these little rascals can jump and he will be shown that he is not to go beyond the fence outside. However, the squirrels in our neighbours yard may convince him to try. There are 3 winter nests in the next door yard. Hamlet will have fun this summer. (We need a bark smilie)

[Nikki]

I don't know if you can see the wire fence behind scotty ...I have a garden at my mother in laws and the dogs (2 cairns, 1 boxer, and 1 sheltie) don't jump in the garden...although the garden is a little run down right now...I have a feeling I am going to be doing alot of work this spring to fix it but oh well...

[sheila and Misty]

I persomally wouldnt trust anything under 4 foot and -well we had to put steel rods dow all around it to deter the digging under-about 1 foot into the ground every 3 inches and our yard isnt tiny.

[Jessica H]

Having a fenced in yard is the best thing I have ever done. Not only do the dogs LOVE it but I do to. I love being able to let them out and watch them from the windows. I love watching them run FULL speed across the yard.

I have a 4 foot welded wire fence. It isn't the prettiest but it is cheap. I know a 3 foot fence would be OK for my 2 but they never try to escape. Some dogs may try to get out more and they could easily get over a 3 foot fence. I go the welded wire in green and you can hardly even see it. I got a quote from a fence company for chain link, they wanted $7000. I got this stuff for under $500 and I did about 500 feet (i attached it to the house so I only had 3 sides). I have had it for 5 years and I just now need to replace some sections due to the horrible ice storm we had recently and the plow.

It blends nicely.

So you can see what it looks like.

This is why I love a fenced in yard...

[jimnconnie]

Our yard is securely fenced, but when I want to fertilize I run a temporary 3' fence down the middle so the dogs can still go out and enjoy half the yard. After the fertilizer has had time to soak into the soil on one side, I move the dogs over, and then fertilize the opposite side. They have never jumped the 3' fence, and I don't know if they have ever tried. Our Sophie can jump onto our bed which is about 30" high, so I don't know how high she could jump if inspired by a squirrel, or rabbit etc. Your situation is similar in that your entire yard is secure and you're only trying to limit the dogs' access to part of it. If you go with 3' fence, and have to later replace it, how expensive & difficult will that be. You're only talking about 25' of fencing right? If 3' fencing & shrubs is what you would really like, I'd say go with that, and hope for the best. Even if they jump the fence, they are still secure inside the 6' fence. I know I'm not providing a real answer, and I'm rambling, but I hope it helps a little. Have you considered buried electric fence?

Jim

[mattoleriver]

I wouldn't trust a three foot high woven wire fence. Even young puppies are capable of climbing woven wire fence. I have a hot wire mounted about six inches inside my perimeter fence and mounted at about six inches above ground level. I have never had a problem with dogs going over or under the fence. I would much rather have my dogs get hit by an electric fence than get hit by a car! There are electric fences designed specifically for dogs---and I don't mean radio fences.

George

[mrseggcup]

WOOF! Eli, here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again). The Invisible Fence has worked well for me and the Alpha B for 4 years now. For 4 years I have stopped on a dime when chasing stupid squirrels and dumb bunnies. Stupid Invisible Fence! I will NEVER catch one! And stupid Alpha B for putting one in!

WOOF!

Eli

[The Cairn Farm]

"WOOF! Eli, here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again). The Invisible Fence has worked well for me and the Alpha B for 4 years now. For 4 years I have stopped on a dime when chasing stupid squirrels and dumb bunnies. Stupid Invisible Fence! I will NEVER catch one! And stupid Alpha B for putting one in!"

I'm not sure how the quote thing works, but was wondering what brand you got...we are seriously considering one. There are so many options though!

[mrseggcup]

Alpha B here!

We got the Invisible Fence brand. Make sure your setting is safe; that other dogs, people and wild animals do not come in your yard for your dog's safety. Make sure that it is properly installed and maintained. And most of all, make sure your dog is PROPERLY trained with NO shortcuts. A training session should involve one shock ONLY!!!! Eli never gets shocked now.

People who think terriers cannot us the invisible fence successfully are simply wrong. I know several terriers who are doing very well with the invisible fence. I know I tend to get on the soapbox about this but there are so many misconceptions about this subject. Terriers are smart and a properly trained one will avoid the shock at any cost, even for a bunny or a squirrel.

The invisible fence is a heck of a lot cheaper than a conventional fence and you don't have to worry about the gate being left open.

OK, I will get off my soapbox now.

Alpha B

[SARpartner]

Take a look at my avatar. That was Dusty at about 4 or 5 months. With work they can be trained not to climb unless commanded (mine is a SAR dog so climbing is necessary) but if they truly want to get over the fence they will. Cairns are very smart and resourceful. If they want something bad enough they will find a way to get it.

[josie&holly]

That avatar reminds me that when I collected Holly from the breeder he had one male shut in the kennels with a very high gate to his pen. Whilst we were talking this male suddenly appeared on top of the gate - level with my face! [i am 5ft 4inch high!] Made me jump. Brian Mears said "Oh, that is Mac - he is a great climber!! Mac had done the climb so swiftly I had not noticed!

Holly does not seem to want to climb fortunately but my garden is enclosed by walls and wooden fencing.

[SARpartner]

Dusty is a show off too. When he made it to the top he perched on the top wire and waited for a command to come over. I just love the attitude these guys have.

[The Cairn Farm]

Alpha B here!

We got the Invisible Fence brand. Make sure your setting is safe; that other dogs, people and wild animals do not come in your yard for your dog's safety. Make sure that it is properly installed and maintained. And most of all, make sure your dog is PROPERLY trained with NO shortcuts. A training session should involve one shock ONLY!!!! Eli never gets shocked now.

People who think terriers cannot us the invisible fence successfully are simply wrong. I know several terriers who are doing very well with the invisible fence. I know I tend to get on the soapbox about this but there are so many misconceptions about this subject. Terriers are smart and a properly trained one will avoid the shock at any cost, even for a bunny or a squirrel.

The invisible fence is a heck of a lot cheaper than a conventional fence and you don't have to worry about the gate being left open.

OK, I will get off my soapbox now.

Alpha B

Ok one more question..sorry! What about snow? How does the fence work when there is snow on the ground?

[mrseggcup]

Snow has absolutely NO effect on the functioning of the Invisible Fence. And we have had up to 2 feet of snow. There is a battery back-up in the event of a power failure and if there is any malfunction there is an alarm that is battery run. Like for the time I accidently cut the wire while putting in daffodil bulbs.

Alpha B

[omahamom]

We have a chain link fence that is probably three feet high, although I guess I have never actually measured it. Xena has never tried climbing it, although she will sometimes grab part in her mouth and try to pull it away. Umm...nice try!

The only time we have had a problem was with snow. The snow drifted against the fence and Xena was able to hop right over. We now know to check the snow levels first, and if it is questionable we will either tether her or take her on a leash.

[Maggie15]

I would think you wouldn't have any troubles with a 3' high internal fence... since you property is protected by the higher fence already, there's very little risk on your part... i use an expen to control maggie (in the house, or camping) and i think its only 30" high and she has never tried or been able to jump it...

ak