How To Keep Your Dog In The Yard

The secret to keeping your dog safely in the yard is to build a fence!  I wish it were easier than that.  When we move into a home, it is very clear to us that this is our house and this is our yard.  Dogs don’t.  They learn where they live, but for the most part, a yard is a yard is a yard.

Some dog breeds have less of a prey drive and are more connected to the needs and wants of their human pack.  They may never even consider wandering off unless it is to follow you.  Others, appear to go deaf and experience a sudden loss of memory when instinct or wanderlust kicks in.  Dogs can be taught the boundary of a yard, but even the best trained dog may run after a foot-loose rabbit. (Can’t you just hear their, “woo-hoo – got me a wabbit!   Yard?  Boundary?  Give me a second!”)

It is very important to continually reinforce their recall (coming to you) because if, or should I say when they take off, they will respond to your call.   At that moment, their response to “come” is more important than the fact they left the yard.

Don’t ask me how I know this!  =)