I have a fairly new puppy (about 5 months) and I'm having trouble keeping her from escaping my fenced area. The primary reason that I fenced in my back yard (about 2 acres) was to be able to get a dog for the kids. The dog is a Rhodesian Ridgeback (about lab sized soon) and she is an escape artist. The fence I put up is 5 feet of non climb horse fence with 3 rails (2 x 6) I also have several gates in those 2 acres to allow for me to get my tractor in and out. The problem I have found is that she is jumping through the top of the gates. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good way to make those gates "hot" without requiring me to wire the whole back yard. I also have young children and don't want to have to worry about them either. [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
[img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img] Any suggestions would be great. I curently have tied some twine in that area but it's only a matter of time before she'll chew through that.
Don't mean to sound like one of those self righteous persons, but did you know anything about RR's before you got one? Are you kidding us? Make the fence/gates "hot"? For a dog?
My RR is a little over three years now and there are still situations I won't expose him to. A puppy shouldn't be left to amuse itself by keeping it locked in a fenced in area, especially one as smart and independent as a ridgeback. Independent means they were bred to think and react for themselves, not like your typical hunting dog that was bred to work as a team with its owner. They were also bred to chase things tirelessly, whether it's a lion (what their original job was), a rabbit or the roof of a car over the crest of a hill that catches their eye. They aren't the kind of dog that you open the door and you and your dog go walk to the mailbox together. Not unless she's on leash or you and her have spent much time obedience training and she's "on command" to heel or stick close by.
My advise would be for you and your kids to spend some time with your puppy and tire her out and then keep her somewhere where there isn't so much stimuli to arouse her curiousity to wander. Aleast for another couple of years. Electrifying your fence will only cause a smart dog to dig under it.
Unfortunately for RR's, they are becoming the "flavor of the month" for dogs and many people don't realize the "attitude" these dogs have.
Good luck for you and your dog.
Fred
Forgot to add, RR's aren't the type of dog you want to leave alone where your kids' friends could walk in on her on your property. They are very territorial and have a strong guarding instinct. Her's should be starting up in about 5 more months.
<font color="blue"> They were also bred to chase things tirelessly, whether it's a lion (what their original job was), a rabbit or the roof of a car over the crest of a hill that catches their eye. </font color>
Fred, I agree wholeheartedly with what you say, not just for RR's, but for all of the sighthound breeds. They need a well-structured environment, which includes good chain link fencing (minimum 6 foot) and a lead when they are not enclosed. Their instincts to chase are so strong they can be gone at the drop of a hat. For sighthounds, "obedience" usually takes second seat to the coursing instinct [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
At this moment, I am being loved up by a Greyhound, and am being studiously ignored by an Ibizan Hound.
Fred, I have two Beagle/lab mixes that are the same way. These guys see something they want to chase, there after it. If they cant go over, or through a fence, they will go under it. I have to keep an eye, or an ear on them at all times. Luckly they bark first, then chase, so I get a little warning. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
"stuiously ignored" <font color="blue"> </font color>
It's funny how most of the sighthounds don't really care if you are around or not, at least that's how they act. Here's a pic of my boy Dart when he was about 11 months old in all of his arrogant glory [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] He wasn't looking at someone, that's just where he wanted to direct his attention even though I was kneeling right in front of him. He has lost his position between him and my female Presa (who is 8 months younger) so he does like to stick close to me in the house now, but he still has "that" attitude. Six ft. fence is definitely the way to go until he realizes that he can get under it.
Funny too how most of your sighthounds don't bark while giving chase, but most of your scenthounds do. Maybe because they were usually used on open land where their owners could see them?
Hope we aren't getting too far off topic here, I know there's a pet forum.
Thanks for your response although you might have worded it a little better as you came across self righteous indeed. Some assumptions were made on your behalf as well. Let me make it clear here I did countless hours of research on this particular breed before getting her. I'd like to think she would not have a better opportunity to grow up one happy puppy with the environment that we have the ability to provide her. I have two friends who have full grown RR's and other than them these are the only Ridebacks that seem to be around in my area so I wouldn't really call it the flavor of the month but......
My intention is not to torment the dog but really to provide her 2 acres of which to run as opposed to being shut in a very small kennel type area. As far as digging her way out - that would be impossible with my severely rocky soil conditions. She has already tried and given up very quickly.
I talked to the head of the Ridgeback Rescue association in my state and SHE suggested that I hot wire the fence. I might be wrong but I'm guessing she knows more than you and I put together. I have spent quite abit of time reading up on how best to nurture the puppy in the most responsible way I can. With that said - good tip on the guarding instincts I have read that this should happen around 10 months or so. That particular trait is one of the reason that this breed is the one I selected. We won't have any problems with kids friends walking in on us as we live way out in the middle of nowhere. I appreciate your response and will do the best I can.
I know this still doesn't answer your question about how to electrify the gate, but anyway. Have you thought about one of the invisable fence systems?
You may be able to run it along your current fence & bury it at the gates. Saves you from having to dig in your rocky soil. My inlaws have had good luck with their setup. Be sure to keep a fresh battery in the collar.
I have thought about the invisible fencing systems. They are great. My brother in law just had one put in for his two Shitsu puppies. Fortunately for him his yard is only 6000 square feet. The part of the yard I'm trying to allow her free reign is about 2 acres. This might be a bit more money than I'm willing to spend. I guess I'll have to go your route. It's funny that you mention this though as I got a bit of flack for mentioneing hot wire. Isn't the invisible fence more or less the same thing? Again my ultimate goal was simply to allow the dog more room to roam during the day as I hate to keep her "caged" up. I guess I need to be more concerned with her safety which means that I shouldn't even consider letting her stay in the back yard during the day.
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