Fenced in Yard Veiws & Shelter Questions!!

Shananigan · 12-09-2009, 01:00 AM

Hello! I was just wondering everyone's views on a fenced in yard, and how it is a requirement of shelters. I can see like if you lived in a populated to semi-populated area then you would definatly need a fence for your dog. However, I live WAY out in the forest where there is NO possible way they could be hit by a car, stolen or anything else. I live 6 miles from the nearest black top road. The average time a car passes my house a day is MAYBE 5 times. And that's not even directly by the house, that's up the road a ways. We always socialize our dogs, and the few neighbors that we do have (the closest one being about 1/2 mile), we make sure that all of our dogs are friends and everything (there dogs occasionally come and visit sometimes, and visa versa). I do not have a fenced in yard, but we're usually home and all of our dogs stay home. I've been looking into getting an Anatolian Shepherd and I would really LOVE to rescue one. The only problem is, would be that I do not have a totally fenced in yard (which is required by all shelters/rescue agencies. We live on 5 acres so it's kind of not feesible. We do have a large pen where a few years ago we used to have pigs, (it's not all messed up like you would imagine) it's actually quite nice and has a really big house in it that we could fill with straw. The pen is plenty big enough to be comfortable for a dog that size, besides she wouldn't be in it majority of the time, she'd be outside with us or inside. We currently keep the horses hay in it, but that can be rearranged.

1.) So I'm wondering, what are your veiws on fenced in yards?
2.) Do you think the pen would satisfy the shelter? I know we could give the dog a life long, happy, healthy home, we just need to meet their requirements and the fenced in yard is the only place I run into problems.

I have another thread going about Anatolian Shepherd's, my story along with questions.
Do you own an Anatolian Shepherd??

**Criosphynx** · 12-09-2009, 01:15 AM

Most rescues I know of wont budge on the fence thing...not at all...I guess just email them with pics and ask?

oh yeah...and Iam totally jealous...must be nice to be so rural.

Shananigan · 12-09-2009, 01:36 AM

Darn, that's a big bummer

. You hear about how many homeless dogs there are, and everyone is "Don't buy, adopt!" which I agree with to certain degree. They can make it so difficult to adopt though! I mean I understand that they don't want to rehome a dog to an irresponsible owner, and possibly just land the dog in another shelter, or put it in a harmful situation, but a little slack would be nice

. For people who seem opposed to having people buy from a breeder, they sure do make it difficult to adopt.

haha listen to me! Like they've already turned me down!!

Sending pictures and inquireing is a good idea! Thank you very much!!!

I do love living out here, it's an awesome place to grow up.

Mikey · 12-09-2009, 02:40 AM

Ditto the jealous!! Love the country

Yeah and you know what-JUST in case I wouldn't budge on the fence either. Their are predators no matter where you are-coyotes or wolves or cougars or whatever (lions and tigers and bears oh my!) -I really would never be comfy without a fence-even with the setup your describing-I would want a fence

Did they specify what type of fencing they are looking for? There are temporary livestock fences that are electric tape and t posts-and they are cheap-you could certainly do a nice acre around your house with that-keep the dogs at home and make it more shelter-application-approval friendly ?

**alfi** · 12-09-2009, 05:16 AM

Hahahaha...it is like describing our farm...lol!!

I live in a farm where the closest house is 15 miles away! We are near a forest and you probably cannot visit us unless you have at least a light 4x4...lol!!

Anyway I think constructing a wooden fence yourself...ofcourse if you have the time for that...is not that difficult or expensive. You can buy raw wood (which is cheap) and make something like that: Name: fence.jpg
Views: 63
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If they insist in fencing...which may not.

I did that and in a year I covered an area of a total 5 square km!

**alfi** · 12-09-2009, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey

Their are predators no matter where you are-coyotes or wolves or cougars or whatever (lions and tigers and bears oh my!) -I really would never be comfy without a fence-even with the setup your describing-I would want a fence

Hahaha...! Wolves and bears are very scary! but lions and tigers?! OMG!

I also have a very serious problem with snakes
That's why I spended a fortune for a wooden fence which reaches 1,5m inside the ground....cause you never know with so many dogs when one of them is out for pee or poop...lol!

Shananigan · 12-09-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Their are predators no matter where you are-coyotes or wolves or cougars or whatever (lions and tigers and bears oh my!) -I really would never be comfy without a fence-even with the setup your describing-I would want a fence

For sure, that's why you need a dog with a loud bark. It's kinda hard to explain if you don't live in the country, but bears, cougars and coyotes aren't all cold blooded killers. I'm not in any way trying to say "You have no idea what you're talking about!" I'm just saying, a fence might help against coyotes, but as far as bears and cougars a simple fence is not going to help. We have coyotes out here, but you only see them occasionally and they are all really skiddish. As far as cougars, I think we saw like one set of tracks last spring, but that was it. We do, however, have bears which usually run if they catch any hint that you're there, or if a dog is barking. And even then, all the bears that come onto our property are usually after the kitchen trash. It is very rare to have a bear coming after more than trash, or one that doesn't run from the dogs. We don't have chickens or any other vulnerable livestock that predators would really be after. We have 3 horses, but they're too big and we've never had any problem with them.

My dad and I really don't like restricting the dogs in a fence or dog run where we live because of the wild life. If we did get a bear or cougar that was braver than most, and found a dog penned up or on a run. I'm just saying that would be easy to catch.

I'm just trying to give you a little in-sight on my life, so you could see what angle I'm coming from. I hope none of you are upset, I've been on dog forums before and when I try to explain I always get chewed out.

Quote:

Did they specify what type of fencing they are looking for? There are temporary livestock fences that are electric tape and t posts-and they are cheap-you could certainly do a nice acre around your house with that-keep the dogs at home and make it more shelter-application-approval friendly?

Yeah, on the Anatolian Rescue Network that has Anatolians all over the country, it said they the fence must be at least 4.5ft high, not electrical, and not the invisible fencing. I kinda agree with the invisible fencing, we use to have a neighbor that set it up around their yard to keep their lab home, but the lab would run really fast through the shock, but then wouldn't come back over. So it'd like trap him out of their yard.

Quote:

Hahahaha...it is like describing our farm...lol!!

I live in a farm where the closest house is 15 miles away! We are near a forest and you probably cannot visit us unless you have at least a light 4x4...lol!!

Anyway I think constructing a wooden fence yourself...ofcourse if you have the time for that...is not that difficult or expensive. You can buy raw wood (which is cheap) and make something like that: Attachment 841
If they insist in fencing...which may not.

I did that and in a year I covered an area of a total 5 square km!

Hahaha cool!! That's nice!! I love the room we have to do practically whatever we please. It's great for having animals! Yeah, out here you are considered crazy if you don't own a 4x4. We only have one neighbor that has a 2-wheel drive and my dad had to pull him out of the snow 5 times yesterday

He said he's getting a 4x4 next year lol

That is a very good idea, but things are kinda tight right now and our property is very hilly and full of trees. It would be very difficult to through up real quick. Thank you though! It looks like a really cool fence!!! Wow, that's cool! How big is 5 square km? Like in feet, or miles?

Quote:

I also have a very serious problem with snakes
That's why I spended a fortune for a wooden fence which reaches 1,5m inside the ground....

We don't really have snakes, in the summer everyonce in awhile we might see one, but they aren't really a worry. The pen I mentioned is burried a foot and a half under ground so that the pigs couldn't tunnel out. So the dogs wouldn't be able to dig out. And the fence is about 5'4" tall.

Thank you everyone!!! You guys are being extremely cool

and helpfull!!!

Mikey · 12-09-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

For sure, that's why you need a dog with a loud bark. It's kinda hard to explain if you don't live in the country, but bears, cougars and coyotes aren't all cold blooded killers. I'm not in any way trying to say "You have no idea what you're talking about!" I'm just saying, a fence might help against coyotes, but as far as bears and cougars a simple fence is not going to help. We have coyotes out here, but you only see them occasionally and they are all really skiddish. As far as cougars, I think we saw like one set of tracks last spring, but that was it. We do, however, have bears which usually run if they catch any hint that you're there, or if a dog is barking. And even then, all the bears that come onto our property are usually after the kitchen trash. It is very rare to have a bear coming after more than trash, or one that doesn't run from the dogs. We don't have chickens or any other vulnerable livestock that predators would really be after. We have 3 horses, but they're too big and we've never had any problem with them.

I know a fence wouldn't keep them out-but it would keep your dogs from going after them. We have several attacks in the past few years-close to the city of people walking their dogs and getting scalped by cougars-dogs po' cougars like nobodies buisness...
And a friend of mine's dog just went after a coyote who lured him into a pack...she luckily got him out-barely I might add-but he was going to be dinner.

So sorry-I was unclear-I would have a fence to keep my dog from running off to hunt or harass an animal who could very potentially harm him

My dog would definitely go after wildlife.
I live in the city but I'm ten steps from fields and even closer to woods-we have looots of wildlife up north

I do not really do the outdoor dog thing, so for me it would work-as he wouldnt be outside unless I'm with him...but like you said-a fence could also keep your dog trapped for a predator -tough call!

Quote:

I'm just trying to give you a little in-sight on my life, so you could see what angle I'm coming from. I hope none of you are upset, I've been on dog forums before and when I try to explain I always get chewed out.

Well not here

We're very friendly

So is that the final word on fencing-it has to be 4.5 feet high?

**alfi** · 12-09-2009, 02:17 PM

5 square km is about 2 square miles.

I know a fence cannot keep out these animals but like Mikey said it will keep your dog from running after them. Emmy is a JRT and if she sees any fox she will hunt it till she gets it!...and that would be a real problem without a fence.

**Criosphynx** · 12-09-2009, 04:13 PM

chain link is the cheapest fencing option Iam aware off...

how big do they consider a "yard"?

and yeah, we're friendly here.