How to Prevent a Dog From Jumping a Fence

One of the most frustration situations for a dog owner is a pet who climbs or jumps your fence. Even well-trained dogs can find things irresistible outside their safe enclosure. Jumping the fence is unsafe for your dog because the world outside is full of dangers from cars to other dogs. It's unsafe for you because your pet can cause damage and you can be held responsible. The best solution is to use an electronic fence system to prevent the dog from going near the fence.

Things You'll Need

  • Electronic dog fence system
  • Small nails.

Instructions

  1. Install Electronic Dog Fence

    • 1

      Mount the electronic controller inside your house or in a waterproof enclosure outside. The system must be near a household electric outlet and easily accessible so the controls can be reset occasionally.

    • 2

      Place the wire that came with the electronic fence system on your fence. If you have a chain-link fence, weave the wire through the top row of chain link. If you have a wood fence, place the wire on the top of the fence by driving small nails and winding the wire around them at each corner.

    • 3

      If you have a gate, the wire must be buried under the gate to allow you to open the gate without interference from the wire. Bring the wire along the fence and extend it down the fencepost and bury it under the gate opening. Then extend the wire up the opposite fencepost and continue along the perimeter of the fence.

    • 4

      Connect the wire to the controller and adjust the the controller according to the manufacturer's directions. Adjust the setting so the dog is corrected about 3 feet from the fence.

    Training your dog

    • 5

      Set the electronic collar according to the directions from the manufacturer. Most dogs require only the most minimal correction setting. Adjust the collar and put it on.

    • 6

      With your dog on a leash, approach the fence. When you get within a few feet of the fence, run away for a few yards while leading the dog. Do this several times, teaching the dog to run away from the fence. You are teaching the dog to respect the fence and avoid it.

    • 7

      With the dog on a leash, walk close enough to the fence for your dog to be corrected. As soon as the dog is corrected, run away from the fence with the dog. You are teaching the dog where to escape after a correction.

    • 8

      Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the next few days. The dog quickly will learn to respect the fence. Within this time, most dogs will learn to avoid the fence completely. For dogs resistant to training, slowly increase the level of correction. Each dog has a different tolerance to the collar.

    • 9

      Closely supervise the dog for about one month. Do not leave the dog alone in the yard. Then, gradually eliminate the electronic collar. You can now leave the dog in the yard without direct supervision. If the dog starts to approach the fence, reintroduce the collar and repeat training using steps 2 and 3.