Page Contents
Quick Answers
Jumping the fence is a common problem for many dog owners. Here are some quick answers to common questions about training a dog not to jump the fence:
– Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog when they choose not to jump, rather than punishing them after a jump.
– Set up physical barriers. You can install coyote rollers, slanted fence extensions, or other devices to make jumping more difficult.
– Provide enough exercise. Make sure your dog gets adequate physical and mental exercise so they are less motivated to jump.
– Work on obedience training. Solid obedience skills using positive methods will increase your control over your dog.
– Manage the environment. Don’t leave your dog outside unsupervised, especially when exciting stimuli are near the fence.
– Consider professional help. If you’ve tried and your dog keeps jumping, get help from a certified dog trainer or behaviorist.
Why Do Dogs Jump Fences?
Dogs jump fences for a variety of reasons:
Boredom
Dogs left alone in a yard with little stimulation will often jump simply to escape boredom. Insufficient exercise and mental stimulation leads to pent up energy and frustration.
Exploration
Dogs have a strong innate curiosity and desire to explore new areas and scents. Yards can seem mundane while the outside world is full of novel odors and environments to investigate.
Prey Drive
Some dogs will jump fences to chase birds, rabbits, cats or other small animals that grab their attention. This is especially true for dogs bred for hunting like Terriers and Hounds.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety may panic when left alone and frantically jump fences to try to reunite with their owners. They are extremely distressed when alone.
Social Motivation
Many dogs jump fences to access other dogs, people, or areas with more activity and social opportunities. They crave companionship and interaction.
Fear
Loud noises like thunder, fireworks, or nearby construction can startle some dogs and cause them to jump fences to escape the frightening stimuli.
Risks of Fence Jumping
Allowing your dog to jump fences comes with many risks, including:
Injury
Dogs can suffer cuts, scrapes, strains, and fractures from landing awkwardly on the other side of the fence. Jumping up and down repeatedly can also lead to chronic joint pain.
Death
Dogs that escape the yard risk getting hit by cars, accidentally eating poisonous substances, or encountering other life threatening situations. Tragically, many dogs are killed each year after escaping fenced yards.
Nuisance
Neighbors will quickly grow frustrated by a dog that trespasses, digs, barks, or poops. You may face fines or legal action if your dog is a repeat offender.
Lost Pet
Once out, it can be extremely difficult to catch an escaping dog. Dogs can wander astonishing distances or hide from searchers. Many lost dogs are never reunited with their families.
Legal Liability
You may be legally liable if your escaped dog causes property damage, injuries other pets, or harms people. Homeowners insurance may not cover this either.
How to Train a Dog Not to Jump the Fence
Stopping your dog from jumping fences requires addressing the motivation behind the behavior, management to prevent rehearsal of the habit, and positive training methods to encourage better alternatives. Here are some key tips:
Provide Adequate Exercise
Make sure your dog receives at least 30-60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. Walks around the block are usually insufficient. Active play, running, swimming, and challenging scent games will help meet exercise needs. A tired dog is less likely to jump fences.
Enrich the Yard Environment
Rotate novel toys to keep the yard interesting. Food puzzles, chew toys, balls, and YES—even holes to dig in a designated spot can make the yard more enriching. Change items regularly to prevent boredom. Give the dog something appropriate to interact with.
Train Obedience Skills
Work on “come,” “wait,” “stay,” and “leave it” commands using positive reinforcement methods. A dog under good verbal control is less likely to blow you off and jump the fence. Practice in many locations for reliable response.
Provide Interactive Toys
When your dog must be left alone, provide interactive food puzzle toys to keep them engaged and stimulated. Items that can be gently chewed, licked, or pawed will be more enriching than regular chew toys. Rotate favorites to keep it interesting.
Manage the Environment
Don’t leave dogs outside unsupervised, especially when exciting stimuli are near the fence line. Put your dog on a long line if needed. Install double gates so they don’t bolt out doors. Block access to jumpable sections. Confine indoors if necessary.
| Undesirable Stimulus | Management Solutions |
|---|---|
| Pedestrians, cyclists, dogs walked past fence | Solid privacy fencing, plant visual barriers |
| Roaming neighborhood cats | Cat-proof fence extensions |
| Prey animals like rabbits and squirrels entering yard | Bury fencing to prevent digging under, place mesh at bottom |
| Loud noises like thunder, construction, fireworks | Provide access to safe places to retreat indoors or in a secure dog house |
Discourage Practice
Every time a dog successfully jumps the fence, their behavior is reinforced. This encourages repeat performance. Take steps to prevent successful escapes and minimize practice of the bad habit.
Install Physical Barriers
Consider adding:
– Coyote rollers: rounded caps on top of fence that spin when dog tries to grip them.
– Slanted fence extensions: angled boards at top portion pointing inwards.
– Electrified wire: low-voltage wire along top or bottom of fence unpleasant to touch.
– Fence flags/flaps: random debris that moves in wind to startle dogs away.
– Cement footings underground to prevent digging under.
– Straw or poultry fencing across bottom to block access.
Positive Reinforcement
Reward your dog frequently with treats and praise for choosing NOT to jump the fence. This helps reinforce the desired behavior of staying in the yard. You want to motivate them to make this choice voluntarily. Practice when stimuli to jump are present.
Train an Alternative Behavior
Teach your dog to perform a simple, incompatible behavior when they start thinking about jumping. For example, teach them to “sit” or “down” and reward those responses. If they are laying down, they can’t be jumping up!
Consult an Expert
For difficult cases, seek help from a professional dog trainer or certified behaviorist. They can assess your dog’s situation in-person, identify reasons for jumping, and create a customized training plan. This is often the most effective way to resolve persistent fence jumping issues.
Conclusion
Jumping fences is a complex and risky behavior problem in dogs. Stopping it requires managing the environment proactively, discouraging practice of the habit through barriers and supervision, meeting the dog’s needs for exercise and enrichment, and motivational training with positive reinforcement. For many dogs, fence jumping can be resolved with time and persistence using these techniques. But for difficult cases, seeking professional help is advised to improve safety and permanently stop the unwanted behavior. Just be sure to only utilize dog trainers who use reward-based methods, never punishment. With consistency and patience, you can train even the most motivated jumper to stay in the yard where they belong.