Do you leave your dog(s) in your yard when no one is home?

[arycrest]

When I'm home I sometimes go out with the Hooligans and read while they play. Sometimes I go out with them and play. Sometimes I stay in the house and let them stay out and play by themselves. But I've never left them alone in the yard if I'm not at home!

Mac is free in most of the house. Because of a lack of space, Bruiser is crated, while Slider and Faith are free in the "dog's bedroom."

[ken k]

Originally Posted by W.Oliver

When we are not home the GSD is either with us or in her crate. Very seldom, when it is a quick trip somewhere, we may leave her sleeping on the couch in the house, but never, never outside home alone.

sleeping on the couch??????

[Cassidy's Mom]

We have a dog run down the side of the house, (accessible from a dog door in the garage), with a 6+ foot wood fence along the opposite side. There's a chainlink pen inside the garage with their Kuranda beds and water dish. It's nice because they can stay indoors if they want, but they can go outside for potties.



At one end there's a chainlink gate between the dog run and the rest of the yard and at the other end there's another chainlink gate creating an area inside the wood fence for the garbage and recycling cans. People passing by could hear big dogs barking, but cannot see into the yard, and they are well away from the wood gate.

I can't imagine the destruction they'd be capable of if they had free access to the rest of the yard, but I'm sure it would involve dug up plants and muddy dogs! I would also not feel comfortable leaving them outside if I didn't have a solid wood fence - I'd rather leave it to people's imagination as to what's on the other side of that fence (a big dog bark is MUCH scarier than a big friendly dog with a wagging tail), and if the dogs could see out that would invite fence fighting and barrier frustration, not to mention possibly being subjected to teasing by neighborhood kids.

[Mac's Mom]

Cassidy's Mom, Nice set up. I'd like to figure something out like that for Mac.

[holland]

No when Rorie was younger she was an escape artist plus I worry that people might tease them or something could happen. Just think they are safer inside

[Mac's Mom]

Jazz, If I had a fence like the one you're describing, I'd feel comfortable leaving Mac out there once he's an adult. I cannot imagine anyone messing with 3 big GSD's. Good luck with whatever you decide works for you.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Mac's Mom

Cassidy's Mom, Nice set up. I'd like to figure something out like that for Mac.

Found a couple more pictures - this is the end by the front gate, (must have been garbage day, the cans aren't there):



Baby Dena

And the end leading into the yard:



You can see the garage pen in this one:

[cassadee7]

I have a yard with a 6' wood fence that is very secure, but I never have left my dog out there alone, ever! I know he could not escape and there is nothing I can see that is a problem in the yard, BUT, there is no way I could risk someone coming into the yard and taking him, hurting him, or leaving the gate open. We are not allowed to lock our gates because of utility people, so I am just always with him when he is outside. Plus I bet he would be sad if I left him out there alone!

[Zoeys mom]

We have an 8 foot fence and still never leave them outside when we're not home- too much could happen

[Chicagocanine]

No, I never do.
If I was going to though I would wait until the puppy was old enough that they can be left in the house loose and unattended before I'd let them in the yard unattended.