Many dog owners face the frustrating issue of their dogs repeatedly jumping fences and escaping the yard. This can become a significant problem, as it poses risks to your dog’s safety and creates nuisance issues with neighbors. However, with proper training techniques and boundary reinforcements, it is often possible to teach your dog not to jump fences.
Page Contents
Why Do Dogs Jump Fences?
There are several common reasons why dogs jump fences:
- Boredom or lack of exercise. Dogs left alone for long periods without adequate exercise and mental stimulation can develop fence-jumping as an outlet.
- Prey drive. Some dogs, especially hunting/sporting breeds, have strong instincts to chase small animals. If they see a squirrel or cat on the other side of the fence, their impulse is to jump and give chase.
- Separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety may frantically try to escape the yard to reunite with their owners.
- Exploring/roaming. Some dogs simply like to explore and roam freely. Boundaries like fences can trigger their curiosity.
Determining the root cause for your individual dog is key to addressing the behavior through training.
Risks of Fence Jumping
Allowing your dog to jump fences unchecked poses a number of risks, including:
- Injury. Dogs can injure themselves on the fence itself by impaling themselves on spikes, getting entangled, or falling awkwardly off the other side.
- Accidents. Once loose, your dog is at higher risk of getting hit by a car, attacked by another animal, or getting lost.
- Legal issues. You may receive fines from animal control or angry neighbors over a loose, nuisance dog.
Preventing fence jumping helps keep your dog safe and avoids problems with neighbors or authorities.
Training Techniques to Stop Fence Jumping
The most effective approach to stopping fence jumping involves two components: training your dog and reinforcing boundaries. Useful training techniques include:
Remove Rewards
Dogs jump fences because they get some type of reward on the other side. This might be freedom, adventure, or getting to chase an animal. Completely removing rewards for fence jumping is key. Bring your dog inside or in a secure run when leaving home. Monitor the yard from windows and bring the dog in immediately if they start jumping. Block off access to trigger animals outside the fence line. With consistent action, your dog will learn there’s no payoff to jumping.
Obedience Training
Having a strong foundation in obedience helps give you better verbal control over your dog’s behaviors. Work on commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “down” in low distraction environments first, then start proofing these commands outdoors around the fence line with tempting triggers. Use high-value treats and praise to reward attentive responses to commands. A dog focused on you is less likely to impulsively jump a fence.
Distractions and Redirection
When your dog fixates and gets aroused about potential triggers outside the fence, interrupt this mindset by immediately getting their attention focused back on you. Use squeaky toys, excited body language and voice to redirect their energy away from the fence. Creating an alternative positive outlet helps diminish fence-fixation.
Supervision
Closely supervising your dog anytime they are free in the yard prevents fence jumping before it happens. Stay outside with them during potty breaks and playtime. Monitor body language for fixating on the fence and call them away if needed. Dogs are less inclined to practice jumping when owners are watching.
Correction
As a last resort, interrupting fence-jumping attempts with a firm “No” or loud noise can help startle a dog out of the behavior. Try gentler alternatives first, but some dogs do best with a swift correction. As soon as your dog stops jumping, praise and reward them. Be consistent so they associate jumping with correction and staying in the yard with rewards.
Boundary Reinforcements
In addition to training, physical and environmental reinforcements can help keep a dog contained. Options include:
Higher Fencing
Extending fence height may deter some dogs, but high drive escape artists may simply view this as more of a challenge. Higher fences work best with training.
Dig Barriers
Dogs that dig under fences can be thwarted with dig barriers that extend underground such as chicken wire or concrete blocks. Burying fencing 1-2 feet may also discourage digging.
Angle Top Inwards
Angling fence tops inwards prevents dogs from getting purchase to pull themselves over. Coyote rollers have angled bars that spin when gripped.
Electric Fence
A low-voltage electric wire along the fence line can startle dogs away from jumping with a safe but uncomfortable zap.
Block Problem Areas
If certain fence areas are prone to jumping, consider barriers like thorny plants, rocks or patio furniture to close gaps and remove footholds.
How Long Does It Take to Train a Dog Not to Jump Fences?
How quickly your dog stops fence jumping depends on their individual personality and motivation. Some key factors include:
- Age – Puppies and younger dogs typically respond faster to training than older dogs with ingrained behaviors.
- Breed tendencies – Herding and sporting dogs bred to roam require more training patience.
- How rewarding the dog finds jumping – Highly rewarding means more time and effort needed.
- Consistency – Sporadic training lengthens the process. Daily consistency yields faster results.
With a dedicated training regimen most average dogs can start exhibiting improvement within 2-4 weeks, but extremely motivated jumpers may take 6-8 weeks or more to break the habit. Lifelong vigilance is required for some dogs prone to jumping.
Example Training Program
An example 4-week fence-jumping training program could look like:
Week 1
- Set up video cameras to monitor fence activity when away
- Never leave dog unsupervised in yard
- Work on obedience training of sit, stay, down commands
- Introduce deterrents like coyote rollers if suitable
Week 2
- Monitor and interrupt any fixating on fence triggers
- Practice obedience moves outside fence lines
- Redirect energy with squeaky toys when aroused about fence
- Verbal correction for any jumping attempts
Week 3
- Increase durations of down stays by fence line
- Work on ignoring outdoor distractions with treats and praise
- Implement dig barriers if dog is digging under fence
- Set up temporary physical barricade if needed in problem areas
Week 4
- Test ability to refrain from jumping with tempting triggers
- Block access to highly motivating animals outside fence
- Practice long sit stays during absences in yard
- Reinforce training with continued praise and rewards
This sample program utilizes supervision, obedience training, deterrents and reinforcement over one month. Your specific strategy should fit your dog’s unique needs and environment. Consistency is vital – any lapses can prolong the process.
Conclusion
The key principles for training a dog not to jump fences are:
- Remove all rewards for fence jumping
- Build strong obedience skills
- Actively redirect focus away from triggers
- Deter with corrections and barriers
- Exercise mentally and physically
- Supervise and interrupt attempts
- Be consistent and patient!
While frustrating, most dogs can be taught not to jump with time and effort. Working with a trainer can also help guide the process. Stopping fence jumping helps keep your dog safe and avoids problems with neighbors. With proper training techniques and boundary reinforcements, you can curb this unwanted behavior.