How to Train a Pit Bull to Not Jump a Fence Around the Yard

Laws targeting certain breeds of dogs, known as Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), make it necessary to keep your pit bull in your yard and controlled. According to advice from the World Pit Bull Terrier Club of America, a loose pit bull may cause you serious legal problems, including the risk of having it euthanized. Although training helps reduce the chance of your dog getting loose, adequate fencing and proper supervision provide the safest methods for keeping your dog inside the fenced-in area.

Things You'll Need

  • Water hose (optional)
  • Collar
  • Long line
  • Leash
  • Electronic fencing kit (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Deterrence

    • 1

      Increase the height of your fence to help deter jumping. Install a tall privacy fence to give your pit bull the best enclosure, according to the American Pit Bull Registry.

    • 2

      Install inward leaning fence extenders on lower fences to help prevent jumping. Then, remove all items your dog might climb on to help it jump, advises the Humane Society of the United States. Contact your local ordinance office regarding laws related to installing an electric wire on your fence.

    • 3

      Place items, such as balls, ropes and chew toys, in the fenced area to make the yard more appealing to your pit bull. Rotate the items to avoid boredom.

    • 4

      Neuter or spay your dog to help reduce hormones that increase the likelihood of it jumping the fence to find a mate.

    • 5

      Document the times your pit bull jumps the fence, including the amount of time in the yard before jumping, as well as the time of day it generally jumps. Evaluate if your pit bull's instinctive response to noises or bicycles, people or animals passing by increases the jumping behavior. Use any stimulation that triggers jumping --- or ask friends to try to entice the dog --- during training to increase the opportunity to correct the behavior.

    Training

    • 6
      Startle the dog by banging a metal trash can or lids together.

      Hide outside the fence and squirt the dog with a hose or make a loud noise when it attempts to jump the fence.

    • 7

      Go out in the yard with your dog on a long line and pull it back if it attempts to jump, giving a loud command such as "Stop" or "No Jump" as you correct it. After several corrections, give the command prior to pulling the leash. This teaches the dog to follow the command without having the line pulled. Once your pit bull consistently stops on command, remove the line and practice stopping the dog without a line attached.

    • 8

      Install an underground or invisible fence approximately 3 to 4 feet from the fence. Place marker flags above the invisible fence during training. Put a collar and leash on your dog. Place the electric collar on your pit bull, set to the lowest level or sound mode and lead it toward the flags. Give the command "Stop" in a firm, loud voice as it nears the flag. Walk back to the center of the yard and repeat the procedure approaching different flags each time. Set the electronic collar to the next level of correction. Remove the leash and collar and observe the dog's response. Prepare to keep raising the correction level, as a pit bull may require a higher setting before the stimulation stops it from approaching the flag. (Some companies provide free training or training manuals with their invisible fence products.) Remove the flags once the dog learns the invisible fence location.