Some dogs run farther than expected during thunderstorms or fireworks. Others are picked up by people who take the dog home without thinking that someone is looking for it. Some dogs run into the woods and can’t find their way back out.

Keep your dog safe by making sure your dog’s fence is secure. Many fences have problem areas that make it easy for a dog to escape. Take time each week to walk your dog’s fence and look for these issues.

The Dog Jumps Higher Than the Fence

When you have a dog that can jump five or six feet, there’s a chance your dog will build up some speed and leap over your fence. If your yard is sloped, it’s easy for a dog to build up enough speed.

Your dog may not even need to build up speed if you have a wooden or chain link fence. Your dog can use the chain link or wooden slats like a ladder to get over the fence.

You put in a four-foot fence because your town requires permits and approval to build a fence higher than four feet. Your dog is now able to jump over it. You need a higher fence. If you put up flexible fencing, your town may not require a permit as it’s not generally considered “permanent” fencing as it’s easy to move it or take it down.

Gaps Are Too Wide

What kind of fence did you put up for your dog? If you built your own wood fencing with vertical and horizontal boards, you have to be very careful that the boards are properly spaced. If there is a narrow gap, your dog might be able to squeeze through it.

Holes Abut the Bottom of the Fencing

You have a digger. If your dog loves to dig, find out where the dog is digging. If it’s close to the fence, you could have a dog escaping before you know it. Walk the perimeter of the fence regularly to look for holes.

If your dog does love to dig, try this tip pros recommend. Purchase some boards and build a sandbox in an area of your yard that isn’t in your way. Fill the sandbox frame with sand and  show it to your dog.

Purchase a selection of toys and nylon bones and bury them in the sand. Your dog has a new game to find where he’ll go on quests to find these toys while also satisfying his urge to dig.

Furnishings and Trees Are Too Close to the Fencing

Your outdoor furnishings shouldn’t be near the fence. While you might prefer to put tables and chairs on the edge where you can view the center of your yard, it can become a problem. If a picnic table is against the fence line, it shortens the height a dog needs to jump over the fence.

If you have a five-foot wood fence and a picnic table that’s three-feet high, the dog only needs to put his paws on the top of the fence and leap over. You’re making it way too easy for the dog to escape.

Make sure chairs and tables are placed in the center of the yard and away from the fence. Trees with low, sturdy branches can also help climbers, so you should be aware of that when placing a fence or young tree.

Storms Have Knocked Down Trees or Branches

If there’s a storm in your area, it may knock down trees or branches. This can easily take out a section of fencing. It’s important to always check for damage after a storm.

As a broken wooden or vinyl fence can be expensive to fix, you should consider flexible fencing. If a tree falls on it, it may knock down a post, but once the tree is cut up and removed, the fence is easily restored to its original condition.

Even if there are no signs of fallen trees or branches, you need to walk around the entire fence line and feel the fence. Wind gusts may have broken fence posts or loose boards. Fix that before your dog is able to get away from you

Posts Are Rotting in the Ground

Wooden fences often have the posts driven into the ground. Exposure to water throughout the year will start to degrade the wood. A treated pine post can 20 years or longer, but many pet owners do not want to put in treated posts as a chewer could get poisoned. Untreated pine posts may not even make it to 10 years.

Powder-coated galvanized steel posts are durable and withstand the weather without rusting. They’re one of the best choices for dog fencing.

Your Dog Chews Everything

Some dogs love to chew. If you have a wood fence, your dog could chew through part of a slat. This will create a hole that’s just big enough to crawl through. Fixing this requires boards for now and new sections of fencing.

Make sure you’re checking your fence for signs of chewing. If your dog is chewing the fence, you need to look into a type of fencing that dogs cannot chew. Extra-strength mesh fences with a triple layer of mesh and coated steel wiring are extremely difficult to chew through. It’s better at keeping a chewer from escaping.

Breaks in Wire Fencing

Some pet owners prefer underground fencing. If someone digs in the yard and doesn’t realize there is underground fencing a wire can break. You need to walk the fence line with a dog fence transmitter or ohm meter and check for breaks to ensure the fence is working properly

If you find breaks, you need to get that fixed ASAP. Until you do, your dog should not be allowed outside off a leash. It’s a good time to consider upgrading to safer fencing that’s hard to escape.

Pet Playgrounds Fences Challenge Escape Artists

Do you have a notorious escape artist? Pet Playgrounds fences stand up to jumpers, chewers, diggers, and gap slippers. With our flexible fencing, there’s a dig-proof barrier at the bottom of the 5’, 6’, or 7’ high fencing. The fencing is continuous, so there are no gaps between the boards. Best of all, it’s strong mesh fencing that has two or three layers of mesh to stop chewers or climbers.

Just about everything you need for your fence, including the dig-proof posts gates, tools, and fencing is included in our DIY fence kit. If you want a professional installer, we’ll arrange to have a professional installer go to your home. Visit Pet Playgrounds and get a free estimate using our online fence designer. If you’d rather call to talk to a fence expert, we’re here for you.

The post How To Inspect a Dog Fence For Problem Areas appeared first on Pet Playgrounds.

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Choose a consistent diet

It might be tempting to give your new pup table scraps or want to give them a variety of food options, but it is better for them to maintain a consistent diet of no-grain dog food. If possible, ask your breeder or rescue organization what they have been feeding your pup and continue that food before you switch to a new brand. This will limit the amount of stomach issues and prevent diarrhea which is common when switching a new pup to a brand new diet.

Keep familiar items with your new pup

This is not always possible, but when it is ask your breeder or rescue organization for any toys, blankets or items that your pup is used to. The scent of blankets and toys will help soothe him or her if your new pup gets “homesick.”

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Establish a consistent routine

Try to follow a routine. This includes providing meals at regular times, potty time on a regular schedule. This will help with behavior and potty training. Once your dog learns the schedule their body will adjust to want food and go to the bathroom at the same time every day.

Provide your new pup with a safe way to exercise and play

Many breeds need more than a simple walk 2 or 3 times a day, especially when they are younger. The problem most people have is that dogs (even when they are puppies) dig under their fence (that is – if you even have one) or climb over their fence. Puppies that are not yet neutered or spayed will try and investigate every sound they hear and every smell they detect. The most affordable and reliable way to give your dog the proper exercise they need is with a Pet Playgrounds Dog fence which is offered in 5, 6 or 7 heights. While some dog parents might thing a wireless invisible fence is a better and more affordable option, they fail 30% of the time. Pet Playgrounds fences have a 98% rate of success. In addition, you can have puppy play dates and protect your dog from coyotes or other predators that may walk in your yard. An invisible wireless fence can’t do that!

 

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Be patient

Your pup is still learning. If you received your dog from a rescue organization or a breeder, your dog may have some “baggage” from their experience with other humans or other dogs. Start with proper management – keep your trash where your dog can’t access it, keep your kitchen table free of food or candy so your dog has no reason to jump and grab anything. It will take time, but with enough love, care and the proper amount of exercise your dog will learn your household rules and will become a well-behaved member of your family.

The post Just got a new pup? Here’s a few things you should know. appeared first on Pet Playgrounds.

We have a great dane/hound mix that just came into our rescue, named Lucy. We brought her to an adoption event Sunday but she was not settled down ’cause she just needed to get some energy out and to just run. It was suggested to bring her down the street to the dog park to let her run a little. Having personally just met Lucy the day before, I was a little leery of how she was going to behave with other dogs, and how they would behave with her, and not wanting to be responsible for something not going well, I took her five minutes further away, to my dog park! So, this is the video of her going off leash for the first time under our watch. She also met my pups for the first time… in a nice safe environment.

Interested in adopting a dog from Companion Pet Rescue & Transport? View all the dogs that need a forever home! 

Interested in assembling your very own personal dog park in your backyard? We have DIY kits and professional installation services that are perfect for every breed and for every property type. Once you have purchased your Pet Playgrounds non-electric dog fence check out our full line of practice and competition quality dog agility products. Don’t forget to use code CPR5 to save 5%. We’ll go ahead and donate an additional 5% right back to Companion Pet Rescue as well. 

Haven’t seen Sandy’s review of her Pet Playgrounds non-electric dog fence? Watch it now!

The post Watch Lucy run free for the first time! appeared first on Pet Playgrounds.

Pets for Vets is helping.

Their goal is to help heal the emotional wounds of military veterans by pairing them with a shelter animal that is specially selected to match his or her personality. Professional animal trainers rehabilitate the animals and teach them good manners to fit into the veteran’s lifestyle. Training can also include desensitization to wheel chairs or crutches as well as recognizing panic or anxiety disorder behaviors. It’s win-win.

Needy shelter animals receive a second chance at life while giving our returning soldiers a second chance at health and happiness. The bonds of friendship formed between man and animal have the power to ease the suffering of our troops when they return from overseas.

Learn more and donate by going to pets-for-vets.com

Learn more and donate by going to pets-for-vets.com

The post Pets for Vets saves animals while providing therapy for suffering veterans. Donate today. appeared first on Pet Playgrounds.

Are you in Connecticut? Are you looking for a new dog to adopt and make your home their forever home? Then check out the adoption event hosted by Homeward Bound on November 8, 2014. Pet Playgrounds has donated a temporary fence for Homeward Bound so every dog there can run free! 

When you adopt your new best friend tomorrow make sure that he can run free. Dogs should not live on a leash, and after giving your dog the love he deserves, investing in a new Pet Playgrounds fence is one of best things you can ever give your dog.

Event details: November 8th and 9th 2014 between 10 am – 4 pm 

Hale Hill Tree Farm
815 Glastonbury Turnpike
Portland, CT 06480

7 Reasons why you should select a Pet Playgrounds non-electric dog fence

1. Pet Playgrounds offers REAL climb, dig, and chew protection for any breed.
2. It is nearly invisible. Stepping back just 10-15 feet makes the fence virtually disappear.
3. It’s the most affordable fencing option to protect your dog.
4. It can be installed virtually anywhere – by anyone, on any terrain even over rocks, tree roots, and uneven land.
5. Unlike wireless electric fences that might harm your dog, Pet Playgrounds fences keep other critters out as well as ensuring that your dog does not runaway.
6. All materials last for 15-20 years and are virtually maintenance free.
7. Our non-electric dog fence kit has been field tested by PETA, and they loved it! We know you and your dogs will too!

When you order your new Pet Playgrounds non-electric DIY dog fence make sure to use coupon code Homeward to save 5% on any kit.

Not only will you save 5%, but we’ll donate another 5% right back to Homeward Bound CT so they can help more dogs in need.

Want to know what dogs are going to be available to adopt tomorrow? Check them out right here!  

November 8th and 9th 2014

10am – 4pm

at

     Hale Hill Tree Farm         

815 Glastonbury Turnpike

Portland, CT 06480

The post It’s all about the dogs! appeared first on Pet Playgrounds.