[iiilizium]

I’m completely frustrated right now. Gunner has escaped the yard three times now, each time we had thought we had fixed the area in which he escaped.

The first time, we leave the back door open for the pups to run in and out. If they bark, I go outside and check on them. No barking, but a ring on the door saying our black pit bull was out. Husband and I go outside and he sees us and comes running back. He was off playing with some white boxer that is always loose. We checked the fence, couldn’t really find anything except the gate was a little loose. So we added an extra chain on the bottom.

Two days later, I’m out back with the dogs. I go inside for a second to grab a glass of water, and I hear the neighbors saying the pit bull is loose again. So I run outside and catch him. Neighbor was really nice and pointed me to where he got loose. We stood there and talked for a while. She told me that the people who lived here before us, their dogs got loose the same way. Told me that it’s something to just get used too, happens to everyone especially with all the stray dogs running around. We went out there with 9 gauge wire and some posts and tried to fix the problem.

Yesterday, I refuse to let the dogs out by themselves anymore. So I’m outside while they are playing. They see something that gets them riled up. So I go and peak over the fence and see another stray dog. Gunner bolts, hit’s the fence hard and low and goes right on under. I’m pretty much standing over him while he’s doing this and I drop to the ground and pin him. To bad his heads already through and I can’t push him back. So I reach my hands through the fence and hold unto his collar and work him like this till we reach the gate and I get the bike chain off the top and attach him to the gate. I run around front with his leash and drag his butt inside.

Now he is cabled outside no matter what. Whether we are outside or not. And I hate it. I hate having a yard and a dog that can’t play in it since the fence is too weak. I can’t trust him alone or while I’m outside. He hates loose dogs while he is confined.

Husband doesn’t want a new fence. I do. A nice wooden privacy fence so we can get rid of the damned bushes. Obviously we’d need to quote the price of a new fence, but what are average costs? We can’t drop 4 grand on a new fence.

I thought about buying those wood boards and cutting them in half or thirds, drilling holes and using the 9 gauge wire to attach to the fence. Since he is an under and not an over dog.

Husband just wants to weave the 9 gauge through the fence bottom and attach. Plus stake in the bottom to the ground. We did this on the other side, but I don’t know how long that would hold up to Gunner force attacks.


I know, you probably think we are idiots for letting our dog get out three times. But each time we would check the fence for any weak points and not finding any, or what we would find we would fix and there wouldn’t be a problem there again. It’s frustrating for me because I am trying. I know a lot of people would say just chain him up. And we will if nothing else will work. He was always cabled until we thought we fixed the problem. Husband thinks I’m trying to make our yard like Fort Knox.

Pictures of the yard: Please excuse the fluffy bushes, we’re buying hedge trimmers this weekend. I want the bushes to die since I get to spray them with flea and tick killer once a month, but I love the privacy.



The green cable was there before, but I guess he snapped it when he hit it. This one we wired the top and sides, and anchored the bottom down with the yellow stakes.



This is the board I’m talking about. This one is painted and cut as its our beer pong table. But they’re pretty cheap, and big.


And sorry for writing an essay. I just wanted to make it as clear as possible.

[prmnwoks]

Why not just make him a chainspot?

[GoblinGaga]

You can put an electric fence at the bottom of the chain link fence, all the way around the yard. It won't take him too many times to figure out he needs to stay away from the fence all together.

[first_pr]

He will find other ways ro get out. Nothing like spending all the money on a stockade fence just to watch him jump it the next day.

Invest in a quality chain set up anda heavy duty collar. He won't mind after a couple days at most. They adjust very quickly, its the owners that have a problem with it and the dogs can pick up on those feelings. If you get a long enough chain you can still do everything you want in the yard.

[tearidrusydet]

I agree, a chain long enough to let him roam the yard should be fine. I don't think he would mind. I have watched my dog climb an 8 foot fence...I wouldn't spend the money.

[nd90t3sf]

You could always dig a 18 inch-2 foot trench under your whole fence, attach chicken wire to the bottom securely, make it big enough so it can go to the bottom of the trench and fill it in with concrete. And he wouldn't be able to dig out, if he ever decides to.

[GaryBulguihb]

Chain, chain, chain, chain, chain - did I say chain?

But make sure he cannot get to the fence. Nothing is worst than to come home & find out your dog has got his chain stuck on the spikey feet of the fence & had a heatstroke or tried to climb over the fence & hung themselves.

P.S. - chain.

Blessings ...

[irrehoobe]

Just surrender and get a 50ft cable tie out or one of those nifty zip line things. Even if you get the fence dog proofed he will likely decide to just go over. Some dogs just can't be convinced to stay in the yard.

[iiilizium]

Believe me, I’d chain him even though I’d hate every second of it. I think it’s ridiculous to have a yard and have a dog that needs to be chained in the yard. Hell, we could’ve saved money by buying a house without a fenced yard if it was going to come to this. But I’d rather have a dog chained in the yard then a dead dog in the street. Husband is against it 100% so I was trying to brainstorm ideas.

A 50ft cable gets him tangled in everything. I tried and he destroyed husbands grill. Right now he has 20ft. He has a nice thick nylon collar, plenty of shade, a pool with water, and a water dish for whenever I put him outside.

Could they even climb a 6’ wood fence with the smooth side facing in?

Hell, you never know. Getting a quote for an expensive fence might convince him cabling is better. Husband is more stubborn then the dogs.

[prmnwoks]

Why climb a six foot fence when you can just jump it?

[Fouttysotlalf]

I say chainspot...but you can try a sturdy 8 ft. privacy fence with electric wire run all the way around the top and bottom. My dogs clear a 6 ft. fence easily.

[sisuarmalmicy]

chain isnt bad for your dog. the dog isnt going to die out there on it. hell be fine. I do suggest you look up a good chain set up, You do not have to get the thick chains, you can order the same gauge online and a better chain type that will last you quite a few years.

[TerriLS]

I would also recommend a proper chain set up. If your dog keeps jumping the fence one day he could get hit by a car and be seriously injured or even killed. Like someone said keep it away from the fence so he doesn't try to jump the fence and hang himself.

Here's a sticky how to make a chain set up.

How to make a chain set up

[Pinkman]

You have the right idea on the wire through the bottom of the chain link, but you need a much heavier gauge cable to do this properly.

Go to your local hardware store and get a heavier gauge cable to run through the bottom of the fence. I don't know the exactl gauge but it's about as thick as a number two pencil. You can get the connectors for the ends there also. It has to be stretched tight.

The lighter gauge only allows the dog to continue to stretch the chain link and this is how your boy is getting under the fence.

I agree with the chain set up also. Better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck!

[r7rGOhvd]

Ah, that sucks!

In my city if a "pit bull" is found at large, the city can euth it without even contacting you first!!

This is why I NEVER EVER leave Bransen unattended.
However, I know what a pain in the butt that can be and having a fully secured yard would sure be great.
However, even at my moms' (back when I would leave him outside with my moms' lab) Jade (my moms' lab) would take off, but Bransen would just wait by the open gate. Thank god!

You can put an electric fence at the bottom of the chain link fence, all the way around the yard. It won't take him too many times to figure out he needs to stay away from the fence all together.

Great idea, that is what my aunt did and her dog hasn't gotten out since.

ShakaZ, though chain spots are practical, alot of people would rather let their dogs have full run in a secure yard.

[prmnwoks]

I'd rather be practical than have my dog able to get loose, a loose bulldog is a dead bulldog.... there are too many stories of "loose pit bull mauls dog" and "loose pit bull gets shot by..." for me to NOT chain em... they are dogs.

[irrehoobe]

I honestly don't think there is any such thing as a really secure yard for this breed. They're just too athletic. Its more of a matter of the dog either having no immediate desire to leave they yard or not knowing how to go about it. Once they figure it out and get a taste for it, well...

And, yeah.. My brothers dog can clear 15ft with a small running start so I know the breed is capable of lol'ing at a 6ft privacy fence.

[iiilizium]

Thank you all! We are taking every thing under consideration.

We would much rather give the dogs free roam of the yard, but safety for our neighbors cats, stray dogs, and our dogs obviously comes into consideration.

For now, he's staying cabled and when we want to play fetch I'll throw the 20ft training leash on him.

This weekend we're going to be doing lots of yard work with either securing the yard or setting up a proper chain spot.

So thank you all again!

[r7rGOhvd]

I'd rather be practical than have my dog able to get loose, a loose bulldog is a dead bulldog.... there are too many stories of "loose pit bull mauls dog" and "loose pit bull gets shot by..." for me to NOT chain em... they are dogs.

Oh I totally understand, man.

That's why I just don't leave my boy outside unattended.

Of course, there are ways.
The guys down the street from my mom (they have an apbt and a few ambullies) have an eight foot wooden privacy fence going around the property, followed by a yard for the dogs that is surrounded by a 20 ft electric chainlink and cemented ground.

Bransen does have a chain spot out back for when we are doing spring-pull, cause the back yard isn't fenced.
Then we have a medium sized run on the side of the house for when he is just going out to go potty and get some fresh air.
It works well.

[prmnwoks]

Runs work as long as its covered... just don't like putting a dog on cement because all the contact points can get sores on them.