How o keep my GSD in my yard?

[HopefulParents]

I will be getting a GSD (unknown age as of yet) in late JULY. I will be in school from 8-2:30, so she will be in the backyard, with the goats, a shelter, water and food. But, I need to know, what do you recommend for KEEPING her in the backyard? Electric fence? collar? Radio fence? noise emitter?

[Mac's Mom]

Honestly, the only way to ensure your dog will not leave the backyard when you are not there is to keep him in a fenced in area or kennel. Electronic fences work great for a lot of people. But some dogs will run right through it even when they know they will be shocked.

What do others think?

[Kris10]

Where do you keep your other dog?

[1sttimeforgsd]

I don't think it is ever a good idea to leave the dog alone and free in the yard while you are gone. Too many bad things can happen, can you keep it in a fenced in kennel? They come in various sizes.

[wolfstraum]

Fence/Kennel. No underground fences....crate in cool house would be better yet.

Lee

[codmaster]

No question - get or build a kennel! Not too expensive for them if you have a Lowes near you. They sell an AKC brand for a few hundred dollars that has worked good for us for almost 4 years.

[jaggirl47]

Originally Posted by Mac's Mom

Honestly, the only way to ensure your dog will not leave the backyard when you are not there is to keep him in a fenced in area or kennel. Electronic fences work great for a lot of people. But some dogs will run right through it even when they know they will be shocked.

What do others think?

This is very true. My neighbors learned this the hard way. Their GSD tested every point in the e-fence until she figured out where to dig it up. She then proceded to dig it up, tear it to pieces, and run loose.

[HopefulParents]

oh, sorry, I should have mentioned, I do have my yard fenced in. It's a 4ft chain link fence though. That's why E.J. is ok in it, he is only 1ft tall, very short and stocky. But, I know GSD's are tall and if she wanted to, the one I got could jump. That should have been mentioned. She would be fenced, but I am looking for supplemental, to discourage her from Jumping the fence


Wolfstraum - It's not that I wouldn't want her inside, or crated, it's that I feel a dog with such an active background, should not be confined to a crate for hours on end. My pup E.J. is crated right now at night, for training, but as soon as he is ready, he will sleep on a pillow on the floor, instead of a crate

[Mac's Mom]

Originally Posted by HopefulParents

oh, sorry, I should have mentioned, I do have my yard fenced in. It's a 4ft chain link fence though. That's why E.J. is ok in it, he is only 1ft tall, very short and stocky. But, I know GSD's are tall and if she wanted to, the one I got could jump. That should have been mentioned. She would be fenced, but I am looking for supplemental, to discourage her from Jumping the fence

Oh ok I agree that a 4' fence wouldn't be difficult for a GSD to jump. I think short of building a higher fence, the only option is building a kennel inside the fenced in area. I don't think adding an e fence will help much. Just my opinion based on all of the stories I've read about how GSD's are escape artists

[crisp]

Some add the electronic fence and run it along the top of the chain link to discourage jumping. Personally, I don't like e fences. Things can get in and your dog can't get out. Or as others mentioned a dog might still get through it when exceited about something outside, but probably won't jump back in when coming back.