"Dangerous" GSD containment - fence heighth etc

[3K9Mom]

one thought -- asphalt gets burning HOT in the summer (unless you have a lot of trees or such to shade it) . Concrete does stay a lot cooler.

[selzer]

The privacy fencing I put in last year is more for looks than for being able to hole them. It is six feet tall, but I am out there with them when they are in the field. These panels were 22$ each plus the 4x4 posts, and screws, and concrete for the posts. But really not expensive. I have it on both sides where there are neighbors and toward the front.


Running along the back of the dog area -- my back yard, is 5' horse fencing using T-posts. It is nice because it does not block the view. I originally had it all around the back yard and ran a solar powered electric fence along the inside about 18 inches from the bottom. This would prevent digging out and climbing out. But since I am out there with the dogs when they are in the yard, they do not even try to molest the fence, so I removed the wire save only for the gate up front which is very flimsy and would not hold them at all if someone came up to it. They RESPECT that wire.



Inside the fencing are my kennels. They have a concrete base so they cannot dig under. They use treated 4x4 posts set in concrete, with nine gage chain link, and 2x4 between the 4x4s top and bottom for added support.


2x4x14' across the top as well and eleven gage wire on top of the kennel so they cannot climb out.



You can hardly see the horse fence in the back there. Between the kennels and the horse fence I have four foot x-pens to keep the dog from the muddy area behind the kennels, and this separated Near Field from Far Field. I would not use this method to keep a bitch in heat and a dog separated, but so far it works quite well for just letting them out where I want them. They have never tried to jump the x-pen, but again, I am right out there with them if they are in either field.



Whether home or away, when I am not outside with them they are in their kennels within the outer fencing. I feel confident they will be there and be safe when I get home. My back yard overlooks a steep ravine, so no one cuts through there, and it is county property and really inaccessible.

Good luck at what you decide to do.

[Strongheart]

Originally Posted By: ahlamaranaYou could try a coyote roller: http://www.coyoteroller.com/home

That thing looks ingenious! Do you have one? Anyone here have one?

[Strongheart]

You have a pretty awesome setup there Selzer AND your pups are real lookers! How much does the big one weigh? Are they as big as my guy? He's 95lbs.

I decided to copy the animal control ordinance here which is on my citation:

<span style="color: #CC0000">Vicious and Dangerous Animals.

(a) An animal may be declared a Vicious and Dangerous Animal by the chief administrator of the Agency or his or her designee. An Owner may appeal any declaration that an animal is a Vicious and Dangerous Animal to the Authority within ten (10) days of being served with the notification.

(b) Every Owner or custodian of a Vicious and Dangerous Animal including, but not limited to dogs, shall keep such animal confined in a building or other secure enclosure in a manner as to prevent direct contact between the animal and human beings or other animals.

(c) No Vicious and Dangerous Animal may be removed from confinement unless such animal is first securely muzzled, leashed, and under the control of a Individual over the age of sixteen (16) years who is physically capable of restraining the animal.

(d) An Animal Control Officer may impound a Vicious and Dangerous Animal whose Owner is found in violation of this section.

(1) An Owner may appeal the impoundment to the Authority within five (5) days of receiving notice.

(2) Should an Owner fail to appeal, the animal may be disposed of pursuant to Section 41.

(e) An Owner of a Vicious and Dangerous Animal shall provide written notice to the Agency within five (5) days of selling or giving the animal away to another Person. The written notice to the Agency shall state the name and address of the new Owner of the animal, that the new Owner has been
notified of the declaration that the animal is a Vicious and Dangerous Animal, and the details of the animal’s vicious and dangerous behavior.</span>

So the ACO said the yard with the existing fence is not sufficient as it is for him to be allowed out there off lead. And I was getting a look when quoted the 'individual who is physically capable of restraining the animal' as if there were a question about this which is simply not accurate. First of all, he is so obedient, he would never do anything which I had made clear was not allowed and that is all anyone needs to know. He can be restrained by vocal command, nuff said. But I don't want to have to be his babysitter 24/7, I have things to do, work to do, etc. And yes, I can physically restrain him too, and the prong collar helps with that a lot.

When we get this 'thing' built, whatever it ends up being, I will have an extra security camera on it so I can have him up on my monitor in my office or I can check on my phone whereever I go. But he will always be confined unless I or DH is there to supervise. That's not a problem at all, I just want him to have running room and play area bigger than he has now in the house and get some fresh air in a secure area within his yard. We bought this house because of the yard which we only wanted for our pups! We didn't need to move this far out! But in order to be able to afford a large yard, we needed to come out to the boonies a bit which we did for our pups. That was our dream, to have a big yard for our pups to rule like kings and queens.

That coyote roller is looking like a distinct possiblity.

So now to decide on a floor for the kennel, and the shape: square or long rectangle? I'm thinking that if he has too long a space to run, he'll get too excited and maybe spontaneously evolve into a super canine being capable of teleportation or something You know those GSDs!

[middleofnowhere]

If you don't want a concrete floor for the entire kennel area, how about the perimeter & a small section? It sounds like if you want him to be out in the yard, you need to be there with him and the fence must be secured. I would do an inward slanted baffle on top of a 6 foot fence and run a hot wire (electric) along the bottom too. The baffle makes it difficult to jump and very difficult to climb over. The hot wire also keeps them from getting close to the fence.

[ahlamarana]

Originally Posted By: Strongheart

That thing looks ingenious! Do you have one? Anyone here have one?

I know, right?! I just got a kennel yesterday, I am planning on ordering this next week.

[KAKZooKpr]

Originally Posted By: Strongheart

That thing looks ingenious! Do you have one? Anyone here have one?

You can also make your own with pvc, poles & brackets. Someone on my ACD forum made their own. A lot less expensive & doesn't look too difficult. I also think hotwire top & bottom is a good idea.

Kristina

[Dainerra]

also think of this. any fence you put up must be able to keep out stupid people as well. if someone can reach in, through around, or over YOU are entirely at fault.

according to what you have posted, even if you have total voice control, it doesn't count. he must be fully muzzled and leashed. otherwise, he can be impounded on sight. if that happens, there is a possibility that you won't get him back!

fight the declaration for all that you can. but until you get it, follow the letter of the law exactly!

[Strongheart]

He only has to be muzzled if he leaves the property, not on the property. Don't worry, no one is taking my dog. And yes, we are fighting the citation and we will win. I will probably never post on here what happened though because it is an incendiary topic and I doubt I would want to deal with some of the extremes of what people's reaction would be. Too bad though because I could really use a lot of GSD lover's input right now!!!! And only they would understand!

[Dainerra]

no, I mean, though, that any fence you put around the yard, if he is loose in the yard, has to be idiot proof. if some moron puts his fingers through the chain link/reaches over the fence/climbs into your yard/what ever, then you are at fault for "other secure enclosure in a manner as to prevent direct contact between the animal and human beings or other animals."

so, even if he never leaves the property, they can still seize your dog. so be mindful of idiots when you are choosing what type of fence to put up

also, cats.. thought of this after I posted. neighbor's cat wanders into your yard would also count