dogs and roads

[yorkyboy]

any tips on a humane way to teach our 3 m onth old collie to stay within the boundary of our garden, she starts classes in september but we need to nip this in the bud now while she is still young, thanks in anticipation

[woofgang]

a fence!!

[gelda]

Well said Woofgang!!

[jules77]

I know a fence is the obvious answer but if you havnt got one, you need to give us more information. I cant honestly see how you are going to keep a 3 month old puppy within the confines of an unenclosed garden without constant attention.

[LoftyLottie]

Well, I came on to say the same thing 'A Fence'. However well trained a dog is there will always be one day where the 'wolf' takes over and whoosh they are gone!! I would never take the chance.

[Aprillove]

Collies can be car chasers, so a fence is essential. She chases the car, it 'runs' away, so she chases the next one.

[terambulan]

She's a pup still, don't let her out unless ur with her. It is hard on u to have to do this but you must to save the heartbreak of losing her. As she ages she will be more aware of her boundaries, and you can then be less vigil.

If she does get out without you, make sure you can see her at all times and call her back asa she steps off the boundary & fuss her for anwering your call.

[gt43]

Sorry, but I have to agree ... even after she's grown up, you will NEED to keep her contained to keep her safe, and save yourself heartbreak. A dog is a dog is a dog, and there's no training on earth that will change that.

[jedimistress]

Just to second terambulam. Keep watching and let her know when she oversteps the boundary. Let her out often and her adventurous spirit will be fulfilled.

If she learns good road sense on top of that, you will be laughing.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh we had such fun (not) when we had our last pup (Jack Russell Cross) We are fenced completely and surrounded by fields but we hadn't actually accounted for the fact that JR's can dig for England! Many's the time we have had to chase after her over the fields. She wasn't in the garden on her own either - if our backs were turned for a minute or two and she spotted a rabbit, a frenzied dig and she was off.

She is nearly 7 now and now so skittish, and, although we let her out in the garden on her own, I skill check on her regularly. However well trained they are they have their lapses and rabbits are just so tempting.

[LoftyLottie]

Trouble is they can have good road sense but you can't be 100% sure that they won't be distracted. Even if they are highly trained and obedient. My dogs are always on leashes when they are on roads or in towns.

[kita1]

Also people steal dogs even out of secure gardens, some hold them for ransom - they are the lucky ones - imagine if your dog got stolen, you would not know what had happened to it (whether it had been used for dog fighting etc.) or if it was still alive and suffering some terrible treatment.

Best not to leave the dog alone, even in a secure garden.