Doggone Etiquette—

Free For All

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:                           

Most of you dogs have a lot of time on your paws with nothing to do but dream. Well, this is just the beginning of your fall outdoor life, so wake up, get out there and enjoy running footloose and fancy free. But don’t get too overjoyed by a few cool days. There’s always a brief fall-back to summer in the weeks ahead. And watch out for how far you take the idea of running free. Too free could cost you your life or your life of freedom with a family that loves you. The fence they put up just for you is their way of showing how much they care. Respect it!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

Tomorrow it is “officially” autumn, something the weatherman may confirm or deny, but it is definitely the time once again to mend our fences. The well-worn lyric “don’t fence me in” is not the innate desire of every dog even though some people think so. Certainly it’s high on the list for the wolf, coyote, and fox, but for dogs and their owners a fence is not the opposite of freedom. Think of it instead as providing an open area where the dog is safe to be free.           

No matter what kind of fence you have, now is the time to be certain that all of it — every inch — is secure for the dog’s safety in the winter ahead. The actual kind, size, and height of fencing will depend to some extent on your dog. If Rufus is a digger, he should not be able to burrow under it to get whatever he’s after on the other side. A jumper needs a fence tall enough (and/or with a bent topping) to prevent a take-off to parts unknown. A chain-link fence might be mandatory for a really strong and determined escape artist. In-ground fences are suitable for some dogs and in some situations, but we all need to be alert to the presence of coyotes (seen everywhere now) and other wildlife on the prowl that could be rabid. Boundaries unseen by people can’t be seen by these stealthy dangers to our dogs either.   

A small fenced-in spot by a door where you can let Rufus out last thing at night is a good safeguard if you can’t walk him on lead. An outside light will also keep him safe from the wild things that roam in the dark!

Use all or part of the major fenced-in area to train (or brush up on past training) as well as to play games with Rufus that give him both mental and physical exercise. The dog is free to run around, but be sure to show him ways he can share his freedom with the family.

There are lots of valid reasons people with dogs put up fences. Some do it to protect the dog from dognappers; some to keep the dog on its home turf so it will protect the house and family; others so they won’t have to (or can’t) walk the dog. Some just want to prevent the neighbor’s cats or dogs (or those wild creatures) from invading their property. Still others find it makes life easier to be able to open a door and casually let Rufus out while they wash the kitchen floor!       

A proper fence protects the dog from getting involved with joggers, deliverymen, or the neighbors. Combined with a good watch dog that knows when to bark, a fence deters burglars from entering your property. All of which just goes to prove that in the long run fences are every bit as good for the dogs’ owners as they are for the dogs themselves.

Until next time — BE GOOD!

—Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained, and showed Welsh terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs; Rescue Me! received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.