Taming Houdini

Brhiannon Stokes investigates the best ways to keep your dog in the yard

Mr Jones was a rather adventurous Rhodesian Ridgeback – a giant of a dog whose ancestors had been bred to corner lions and whose very purpose in life seemed to be to escape from whatever enclosure he was put into.

Mr Jones wouldn’t even escape to run away; most of the time, a few minutes after he had been put outside, he could be found at the front door, tail wagging, requesting to be let back in. Whenever the fence of the backyard – which was sizeable enough to keep most pooches happily contained – was repaired, he would find a new way to escape, or carefully remove the bricks and latticework and dig himself to freedom. No small feat for such a large dog.

This is not an uncommon story and many dog owners face the irritating task of keeping their best friends safely in their yards. Simply repairing the fence can be tedious, tiring and ineffective. There are, however, a few ways to ensure that your mischievous hound does not get him or herself into trouble.

•    Doggy treats – Ever left the gates open and rushed inside for something, only to have your pooch bolt outside and tear off down the street? You are not alone, especially where puppies are concerned! But if calling them back fails to get their attention, a ‘treat word’ is almost foolproof. In Mr Jones’ case, the word was ‘bickie’ and he would never fail to return at the sound of it. Training your dog to return on command is a positive step, as is rewarding them for doing the right thing. In time, nice, cheerful praise will help your dog learn that staying around the home is the best thing.

•    Chicken wire – Cheap, affordable and a great way to keep the pups inside, this is the preferred option for many people. To install, dig a little way down into the ground and place the wire so that it extends away from and up the fence. Place rocks and dirt over the bottom of the wire and attach it to the fence at the top and you’re all set.

•    Electric fences – A last resort, perhaps, but an effective one. A light, harmless zap deters any Houdini hound from trying to dig or claw their way out of the yard. Costing around $200 for a regular-sized block of land, this is a virtually foolproof containment method that uses very little electricity and can be turned off at the flick of a switch. The power can be kept off permanently after a while (or the whole fence can be removed), as your dog will have learned the lesson. For further information, visit www.electricfenceaustralia.com.au

It was a mixture of the first and last options that kept Mr Jones and his brother, Nelson, at home. Hopefully you, too, will find a combination that is suited to your needs and foils your pooches’ plans for escape.

Image by: mgstanton