How to Keep Our Yorkie from Digging Out of the Yard / Advice on Electric Fences?

Updated on April 20, 2009
C.S. asks from Allen, TX
5 answers

Our 7.5 year old yorkie digs out of our yard if he's left outside unattended for more than a minute or two. Even when the kids are outside playing with him, if they start doing something else and aren't paying attention to him, he leaves! He also likes to chase walkers and bikers and I'm afraid he's going to get hit by a car, so I've only been letting him outside to go potty. I'd like him to have the freedom to roam the yard and get more exercise. Any advice? In particular, has anyone used an electric fence? Did it work? Which do you recommend or recommend against? Thanks!

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A.U.

answers from Dallas on

When we moved to our new house a couple of years ago, our Border Collie became a digger and escape artist. We had priced the invisible fence system, but it was thousands of dollars. We decided to put in an electric fence. If you go to Tractor Supply stores, they can recommend the charge box that will work. Your dog will probably touch wire once, and never do it again. My dog will not even get close if the thing is turned off. I just unplug when my daughter and friends are out. If they do touch, it won't hurt too much. You will have to place wire very low since your dog is tiny, probably nose level. I am not an expert, but the fence works 1oo% of the time for me! A few shocks are safer than him getting out and getting hit by a car.
Blessings, A.

1 mom found this helpful

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

If your dog is digging under a fence line I would recommend placing a small strip (1 or 2 feet wide) up against your fence line laying down so that when he digs he'll be digging on the wire and not dirt. You can attach the wire to the fence by using a staple gun for wood or some zip strips if a metal fence. Yes it's ugly looking but if done all over the dog will give up. Also the wire could be removed if no longer needed but most of the time it hides very well in the dirt and grass in time and is left unseen. I've only used electric fencing for a jumper and it didn't help in that situation so I can't help you out there.
Best Regards,
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.R.

answers from Dallas on

I got a fence from Keller feed. It was about 100$ total. It isn't an invisible one, it is a wire that runs the perimeter of my yard.

My Maltese hit it a few times and that was the last of that. i had it on for about a month and now I don't have anything. He won't go near the fence.

It was easy to put up, take down and turn on/off. Now if there is anything I want him away from, I place a wire around it....he won't go near it.

The fence isn't that mean, we all touched to see the jolt. I liken it to touching a 9 volt with your tongue.

1 mom found this helpful

G.W.

answers from Orlando on

Many years ago when my husband and I were in college, we had a dalmation that was a digger - it got so bad one time that he literally ripped one of the pads off of one of his paws (ouch!). So, we did the electric fence and it worked like a charm. He touched it twice max and then we turned it off and never had it on again. I know it can seem a bit harsh but animals don't have the ability to reason safety/danger like humans so you have to appeal to their psyche in a different way. Getting a little buzz once or twice to instill a safe boundary is much more kind than they getting squished by a car. I say use one if nothing else has worked for him.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

From a personal standpoint, I think the electric fencing is cruel to the dogs. I know a lot of people swear by them.

We have a toy poodle escapee from our back yard iron fence. He could get through the slats on 1 side. We sought out online what to do and found some galvanazied steel fencing covered in black plastic that is on a roll appx 12" tall and 150' per roll. We spent about $700 and my husband installed it on each section of the fence. Some areas, had to be a little higher that 12" so we added. You can remove it if needed, it is attached with plastic ties from the electrical dept at home depot.

We have not had a issue since. He can't slip though any spots anymore and has been great about staying in the yard. It was imperative that we did something because we back up to woods and we have a lot of wild animals, especially bobcats. It won't save him from the bobcats, they just jump over but it does keep him inside our yard.

If you need the name of the place where we got it and specific pricing, I can look it up for you.

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