Is a fence-jumper trouble?

"THW" wrote in message
...
They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the
group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper?

An invisible fence, or a real 4' or higher fence? (FWIW, I wouldn't have
an invisible fence, mainly because our fence is more to keep other
critters--ie. stray dogs & wildlife--OUT, than it is to keep our dogs in).
Both of my dogs could potentially be labeled "hyper" (they are
both incredibly active breeds/breed-mixes). However, one of my
favorites sayings is, "A tired dog is a good dog!" Meaning, they
get a LOT of exercise, both mentally & physically. And, they are
herding breeds/breed-mixes, which generally have a tendance to
stick around, not be runners/bolters/adventurers (there are ALWAYS
exceptions to the rule, however! Our rescue GSD was a
talented escape artist. She did not jump the fence, but literally pushed
her way into a few of the boards enough times so that they
became loose & she could get loose. Once she figured out how to
do it, she tried it everywhere on the fence. She had a pretty high
prey drive, and liked to go try to chase/kill small critters--squirrel,
bunnies & the like).
But, I've not seen a lot of correlation between "hyper" and fence-jumping.
Moreso a correlation between higher prey drive and fence-jumping/
escaping.

Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?


Outgrowing, I don't know. More than likely, you will need to
exercise, interact and supervise the dog enough so that it isn't
allowed the chance to escape. I know the vet clinic where I work
also has dog boarding, we have a few "escapees" that come and
(knock on wood!) haven't had any issues. Many professional
places are set up with double and triple door situations, where if
one door is open & the dog escapes, it is stopped by the next.
Most likely, that is something you'd have to ask around with
sitters/kennels.

We also located another setter in an SPCA shelter that seems sweet but is
so
thin (and has been that way for over a month) that we are worried that it
is
hard to judge her disposition and we worry about long term health issues.
Any advice?

Potentially...but also keep in mind that if a dog has been in a stressful
situation for a long period of time (and over a month would certainly
be included), it's body also deals with stress. Weight loss, poor coat,
hyperactivity (and sulleness in some individuals) can all be signs of
a stressed out dog. I know that one of my dogs used to not
be a very good eater when he is boarded, particularly because he
would get very stressed out while being there (and we've never
boarded them over a week). The last time he was boarded, he
went to his agility instructors, where he was interacted with on
a regular basis, exercised and played with, and he ate well.

Good luck in your searches.
Shelly & The Boys:
Coda (Collie-somethin')
Bodhi (Belgian Sheepdog)

"THW" wrote in message
...
They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the
group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper?

An invisible fence, or a real 4' or higher fence? (FWIW, I wouldn't have
an invisible fence, mainly because our fence is more to keep other
critters--ie. stray dogs & wildlife--OUT, than it is to keep our dogs in).
Both of my dogs could potentially be labeled "hyper" (they are
both incredibly active breeds/breed-mixes). However, one of my
favorites sayings is, "A tired dog is a good dog!" Meaning, they
get a LOT of exercise, both mentally & physically. And, they are
herding breeds/breed-mixes, which generally have a tendance to
stick around, not be runners/bolters/adventurers (there are ALWAYS
exceptions to the rule, however! Our rescue GSD was a
talented escape artist. She did not jump the fence, but literally pushed
her way into a few of the boards enough times so that they
became loose & she could get loose. Once she figured out how to
do it, she tried it everywhere on the fence. She had a pretty high
prey drive, and liked to go try to chase/kill small critters--squirrel,
bunnies & the like).
But, I've not seen a lot of correlation between "hyper" and fence-jumping.
Moreso a correlation between higher prey drive and fence-jumping/
escaping.

Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?


Outgrowing, I don't know. More than likely, you will need to
exercise, interact and supervise the dog enough so that it isn't
allowed the chance to escape. I know the vet clinic where I work
also has dog boarding, we have a few "escapees" that come and
(knock on wood!) haven't had any issues. Many professional
places are set up with double and triple door situations, where if
one door is open & the dog escapes, it is stopped by the next.
Most likely, that is something you'd have to ask around with
sitters/kennels.

We also located another setter in an SPCA shelter that seems sweet but is
so
thin (and has been that way for over a month) that we are worried that it
is
hard to judge her disposition and we worry about long term health issues.
Any advice?

Potentially...but also keep in mind that if a dog has been in a stressful
situation for a long period of time (and over a month would certainly
be included), it's body also deals with stress. Weight loss, poor coat,
hyperactivity (and sulleness in some individuals) can all be signs of
a stressed out dog. I know that one of my dogs used to not
be a very good eater when he is boarded, particularly because he
would get very stressed out while being there (and we've never
boarded them over a week). The last time he was boarded, he
went to his agility instructors, where he was interacted with on
a regular basis, exercised and played with, and he ate well.

Good luck in your searches.
Shelly & The Boys:
Coda (Collie-somethin')
Bodhi (Belgian Sheepdog)

THW wrote:

[snip...] [snip...] [snip...]

We have located a rescue group that says that they have a young female
english setter that is a fence jumper. No word yet as to the hyperactivity
level of the dog (though the rescuer says that there is no correlation
between hyperactivity and fence jumping), but we are told is very sweet and
good with kids. They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper? Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?

I don't know about hyperactivity and fence jumping...but a male dog that
is neutered, is *much* less likely to wander off. (Besides all the other
good reasons to spay or neuter.)

Sometimes it seems like you only want advice here, if it already
agrees with what you think. Many here have already voiced opposition
to an "invisible fence", but you persist in thinking that it's the
best thing since "sliced bread"...

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Charles and Francis Richmond richmond at plano dot net |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

THW wrote:

[snip...] [snip...] [snip...]

We have located a rescue group that says that they have a young female
english setter that is a fence jumper. No word yet as to the hyperactivity
level of the dog (though the rescuer says that there is no correlation
between hyperactivity and fence jumping), but we are told is very sweet and
good with kids. They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper? Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?

I don't know about hyperactivity and fence jumping...but a male dog that
is neutered, is *much* less likely to wander off. (Besides all the other
good reasons to spay or neuter.)

Sometimes it seems like you only want advice here, if it already
agrees with what you think. Many here have already voiced opposition
to an "invisible fence", but you persist in thinking that it's the
best thing since "sliced bread"...

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Charles and Francis Richmond richmond at plano dot net |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

THW wrote:

[snip...] [snip...] [snip...]

We have located a rescue group that says that they have a young female
english setter that is a fence jumper. No word yet as to the hyperactivity
level of the dog (though the rescuer says that there is no correlation
between hyperactivity and fence jumping), but we are told is very sweet and
good with kids. They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper? Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?

I don't know about hyperactivity and fence jumping...but a male dog that
is neutered, is *much* less likely to wander off. (Besides all the other
good reasons to spay or neuter.)

Sometimes it seems like you only want advice here, if it already
agrees with what you think. Many here have already voiced opposition
to an "invisible fence", but you persist in thinking that it's the
best thing since "sliced bread"...

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Charles and Francis Richmond richmond at plano dot net |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

On Sat, 02 Aug 2003 20:45:06 GMT, Charles Richmond
wrote:

THW wrote:

[snip...] [snip...] [snip...]

We have located a rescue group that says that they have a young female
english setter that is a fence jumper. No word yet as to the hyperactivity
level of the dog (though the rescuer says that there is no correlation
between hyperactivity and fence jumping), but we are told is very sweet and
good with kids. They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper? Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?

I don't know about hyperactivity and fence jumping...but a male dog that
is neutered, is *much* less likely to wander off. (Besides all the other
good reasons to spay or neuter.)

I believe the OP was talking about a female dog. Since they're
dealing with a rescue group, it's likely that the dog will be spayed.

Sometimes it seems like you only want advice here, if it already
agrees with what you think. Many here have already voiced opposition
to an "invisible fence", but you persist in thinking that it's the
best thing since "sliced bread"...

Well, to be fair, the dog jumps fences, so installing a "real" fence
may not help in this particular situation. There are many, many
instances where rescue groups have dogs that jump 6' fences, and in
those cases other alternatives have to be found. Sometimes that is
adding an invisible or electric fence as backup to a physical fence;
often it's adopting to people who have no fence and will keep the dog
on leash. To the OP: Invisible fences don't work well with any of my
breeds, but in any case I'd be concerned about it as the only
containment device for a fence jumper. Does this dog always jump
fences, or only if she's bored and left outside alone? What height
fence can she jump? What does she do when she jumps the fence - -
hang around in the area, or run off? (I once had an English setter
that was very reliable off leash, but he was my only experience with
the breed so I don't know whether he was an exception.)

Sally Hennessey

On Sat, 02 Aug 2003 20:45:06 GMT, Charles Richmond
wrote:

THW wrote:

[snip...] [snip...] [snip...]

We have located a rescue group that says that they have a young female
english setter that is a fence jumper. No word yet as to the hyperactivity
level of the dog (though the rescuer says that there is no correlation
between hyperactivity and fence jumping), but we are told is very sweet and
good with kids. They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper? Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?

I don't know about hyperactivity and fence jumping...but a male dog that
is neutered, is *much* less likely to wander off. (Besides all the other
good reasons to spay or neuter.)

I believe the OP was talking about a female dog. Since they're
dealing with a rescue group, it's likely that the dog will be spayed.

Sometimes it seems like you only want advice here, if it already
agrees with what you think. Many here have already voiced opposition
to an "invisible fence", but you persist in thinking that it's the
best thing since "sliced bread"...

Well, to be fair, the dog jumps fences, so installing a "real" fence
may not help in this particular situation. There are many, many
instances where rescue groups have dogs that jump 6' fences, and in
those cases other alternatives have to be found. Sometimes that is
adding an invisible or electric fence as backup to a physical fence;
often it's adopting to people who have no fence and will keep the dog
on leash. To the OP: Invisible fences don't work well with any of my
breeds, but in any case I'd be concerned about it as the only
containment device for a fence jumper. Does this dog always jump
fences, or only if she's bored and left outside alone? What height
fence can she jump? What does she do when she jumps the fence - -
hang around in the area, or run off? (I once had an English setter
that was very reliable off leash, but he was my only experience with
the breed so I don't know whether he was an exception.)

Sally Hennessey

On Sat, 02 Aug 2003 20:45:06 GMT, Charles Richmond
wrote:

THW wrote:

[snip...] [snip...] [snip...]

We have located a rescue group that says that they have a young female
english setter that is a fence jumper. No word yet as to the hyperactivity
level of the dog (though the rescuer says that there is no correlation
between hyperactivity and fence jumping), but we are told is very sweet and
good with kids. They say that we will need an invisible fence to contain her
(not an issue since that was our plan anyway), but my questions to the group
a will such a dog likely be hyper, and what is it like living with a
fence jumper? Will the dog outgrow fence jumping, and how do you visit
people and/or can you easily find dog-sitters/kennels that can deal with
this problem if you need to go away?

I don't know about hyperactivity and fence jumping...but a male dog that
is neutered, is *much* less likely to wander off. (Besides all the other
good reasons to spay or neuter.)

I believe the OP was talking about a female dog. Since they're
dealing with a rescue group, it's likely that the dog will be spayed.

Sometimes it seems like you only want advice here, if it already
agrees with what you think. Many here have already voiced opposition
to an "invisible fence", but you persist in thinking that it's the
best thing since "sliced bread"...

Well, to be fair, the dog jumps fences, so installing a "real" fence
may not help in this particular situation. There are many, many
instances where rescue groups have dogs that jump 6' fences, and in
those cases other alternatives have to be found. Sometimes that is
adding an invisible or electric fence as backup to a physical fence;
often it's adopting to people who have no fence and will keep the dog
on leash. To the OP: Invisible fences don't work well with any of my
breeds, but in any case I'd be concerned about it as the only
containment device for a fence jumper. Does this dog always jump
fences, or only if she's bored and left outside alone? What height
fence can she jump? What does she do when she jumps the fence - -
hang around in the area, or run off? (I once had an English setter
that was very reliable off leash, but he was my only experience with
the breed so I don't know whether he was an exception.)

Sally Hennessey

Something to ask the rescue: is this female currently in an indoor-only
environment and if so, for how long? was she previously an outside-only
dog? When was she spayed?

The reasons for these questions could provide insight into the fence-jumping
issue. Some dogs are just easily bored or curious so they want to jump.
Once they've learned that they can do it, they don't want to stop. However,
some dogs are more prone than others to fence jumping because:

a) they are intact and looking to mate
b) they are outside-only dogs and looking for companionship

If this female was an outside-only dog who was bored, then that's probably
why she started fence jumping. If she's not been an inside-only dog in
rescue, or is new to rescue, then its likely that she really hasn't had time
to settle in and feel secure therefore she's still wanting to go find
companionship. If she's not yet spayed and is coming into a heat cycle then
that could be another reason.

I'm not saying that fence-jumping is always fixable because the dog finds
the freedom to run and the many new sights & smells irresistable. Sometimes
though it is just a matter of giving the dog a good home where it gets
plenty of attention & affection so it won't want to leave. As to the
e-fence, it is definitely a solution to the fence-jumping/roaming *as long
as* you don't plan to keep her outside by herself. If its a matter of just
wanting something to contain her while you're out with her, so you don't
have to walk her on-lead, then it should be just fine. Another option is a
cable-run but again, it should be used only when you're home and can keep an
eye on her. The problem with lacking a physical barrier is that other dogs,
kids and adults can come into your yard and approach her. That's not
something you want to happen due to other animals being aggressive, children
sometimes being cruel & taunting, and adults out there who like to steal
purebred dogs.

--
Tara

Something to ask the rescue: is this female currently in an indoor-only
environment and if so, for how long? was she previously an outside-only
dog? When was she spayed?

The reasons for these questions could provide insight into the fence-jumping
issue. Some dogs are just easily bored or curious so they want to jump.
Once they've learned that they can do it, they don't want to stop. However,
some dogs are more prone than others to fence jumping because:

a) they are intact and looking to mate
b) they are outside-only dogs and looking for companionship

If this female was an outside-only dog who was bored, then that's probably
why she started fence jumping. If she's not been an inside-only dog in
rescue, or is new to rescue, then its likely that she really hasn't had time
to settle in and feel secure therefore she's still wanting to go find
companionship. If she's not yet spayed and is coming into a heat cycle then
that could be another reason.

I'm not saying that fence-jumping is always fixable because the dog finds
the freedom to run and the many new sights & smells irresistable. Sometimes
though it is just a matter of giving the dog a good home where it gets
plenty of attention & affection so it won't want to leave. As to the
e-fence, it is definitely a solution to the fence-jumping/roaming *as long
as* you don't plan to keep her outside by herself. If its a matter of just
wanting something to contain her while you're out with her, so you don't
have to walk her on-lead, then it should be just fine. Another option is a
cable-run but again, it should be used only when you're home and can keep an
eye on her. The problem with lacking a physical barrier is that other dogs,
kids and adults can come into your yard and approach her. That's not
something you want to happen due to other animals being aggressive, children
sometimes being cruel & taunting, and adults out there who like to steal
purebred dogs.

--
Tara