New House = Need for New Boundaries
Stupid humans....it took 3 weeks for us to come to the realization that she has no idea that she isn't in our yard anymore, because, why would she? She probably thinks that we are crazy as we try to change her gallivanting direction back to our yard. Her desire to sniff everything and take a big poop in the neighbors yard (she won't poop in our new yard either) is WAY more enticing then listening to us! She has issues with listening and we just don't know where to start. The past year has been great because we have been more in control of our environment, but now that there isn't a fence, she has bolted for cars and won't listen to us when we call her. Obedience school helped her with walking in town, but the country-living is new for us. Any ideas? Yours Truly, Stupid Humans  |
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| When I lived in the country I had a young OES who used to roam with the local dogs, steal food from the neighbor's pets, and generally stake a territorial claim to much larger area than my property. He survived it; I survived it, (Am I kidding? He loved it.) but it can create problems. Chasing cars is only one of them.
If there are livestock in the area, you should know your local ordinances. It is common in the urban rural-fringe that counties have "Right to Farm" ordinances that allow ranchers to shoot any animal "harassing or annoying" livestock. Some rancher's attitudes toward pets can be surprising. Shoot first, ask questions later. My best advice is to fence a portion of your property as a yard that Maggie can have free roam in. In fact, that is my only advice. |
| i 2 HAVE 3 ACRES AND MY BOYS CHASE CARS I NEEDED TO FENCE IT IN THE ONLY WAY WITH MY BOYS |
| Fence a yard for them. There are far more dangers out there than you realize. When our guys had a whole national forest to play in, they always found the skunks, porcupines, etc. The young pups could have been carried off by owls or larger birds. We were too stupid to know what dangers we were putting our dogs in. One of our pups that we gave away took to chasing cattle and was shot. We were crushed. It was then we realized it is our responsibility to care for these guys.
In time yours may learn where home is as will stick close. In the mean time they are roaming free and prey to animals, cars, people, dog catchers, etc. I've got 2 acres and it is fenced. |
| You don't even need to fence in a really large area of the yard. I live on 3+ acres with another 6 acres to the north & another 3 acres to the south & who knows how many acres when you get to the end of our property (forested area). My husband built a chain link dog run for our dog (only 1 at the time he built it) so she could get rid of her "herding" energy. Attached it right to the house (walk out basement). Now the remaining 3 dogs use it all the time, as well as any visitors.
One thing you might want to work on even if you end up with a fenced area is a solid recall. It can be a lifesaver the one time they happen to get out of the fenced area. |
| All good advice, it is in a dog's nature to roam especially with other dogs.
That's what a pack does! Just a small enclosure will work and lots of work on a long lead with treats for listening and coming back. Lots of patience and perserverence on you part. 
Now Tiggy where is the long lead. |
| I agree with all the comments about fencing in a portion of the yard for her. It is really for her protection. |
ChSheepdogs wrote: One thing you might want to work on even if you end up with a fenced area is a solid recall. It can be a lifesaver the one time they happen to get out of the fenced area.
Marilyn - my trainer has said if you don't have a solid recal before your dog is something like 6 months old you will never have one. What's your thought on that? My guys are really mostly reliable, but i know certain things will make each of them temporarily lose their hearing (although with Morgan there is always the old fall back - COOKIE!!!) |
| Thanks for the advice! I just wish that we would be able to put up a fence right now, that would solve a lot. I just wish that there was not such a process in our neighborhood to put up a fence, and that it wouldn't cost us a million dollars to do it either.
Maybe I will be able to find someone to work with us on the "recall" aspect of getting Maggie to listen. Thank you for all of your help and advice! |
kerry wrote: ChSheepdogs wrote: One thing you might want to work on even if you end up with a fenced area is a solid recall. It can be a lifesaver the one time they happen to get out of the fenced area. Marilyn - my trainer has said if you don't have a solid recal before your dog is something like 6 months old you will never have one. What's your thought on that? My guys are really mostly reliable, but i know certain things will make each of them temporarily lose their hearing (although with Morgan there is always the old fall back - COOKIE!!!) Ah yes....COOKIE! The one English word I think they are born knowing! I'll ask my instructor tonight what her thougths are on the solid recall & age. I really never thought about it because I always did the beginner's obedience classes with them starting at about 4 months of age or soon thereafter & they taught the recall at that time. Nothing like walking 50' away or anything & calling them but an on lead, 6' away recall to come with no lead pulling. My dogs have always prefered to be close to me too so most of the time my recall problms have been with them anticipating it. |
wendycz23 wrote: Thanks for the advice! I just wish that we would be able to put up a fence right now, that would solve a lot. I just wish that there was not such a process in our neighborhood to put up a fence, and that it wouldn't cost us a million dollars to do it either.
Maybe I will be able to find someone to work with us on the "recall" aspect of getting Maggie to listen. Thank you for all of your help and advice! Would one of those long wires staked out on the ground that you attach a lead to work. Sorry I cant remember what they're called. The dog's lead attaches to the wire so that the dog can run up and down the length of the wire but no further. They get more freedom than just tethered to a stationary object but you limit how far they can go. You could supervise Maggie on it and maybe over time she would learn that she's allowed in the area where you had the wire but no further. Its a long shot but if you cant build even a little pen for her maybe it could help.  |
We moved to a new home last fall with 2.6 acres and the first thing we did was have a area fenced for Dutch and all doors on the backside of the house opens to it Her and I both love it, she gets lots of exercise and I'm happy she is SAFE  and with 3 gates it is easy to get to the rest of the property
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| LOVE THAT AREA! |
Wendy - I will send you some trainer info in a PM tomorrow. I was sick with the flu...... 
We have a large farm yard, but do have a smaller part fenced for the dogs for routine pottying. The rest is huge, and they get to go there too - just when we are out there and keeping a close eye on them. |
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