When the Echo Lake Dog Park first opened in New Jersey, it was hailed as a great new way for dogs to exercise and socialize; a place where they could have fun off their leash. As dog parks have become more popular throughout the country, though, Echo Lake itself has slid into neglect.
The three acres of puppy heaven have a variety of fencing issues that create potential hazards for visiting dogs. The double-gate entrances have faulty and non-existent latches, and fencing intended to separate sections for different sized dogs are broken. Gates at the back of the park are of different heights, with a gap a smaller dog could easily fit through.
Outdoor fences are an important part of how homeowners keep their pet dogs safe. Are you thinking about installing a fence in your yard for this purpose? Here are a few things you should keep in mind.
What to Look for in a Good Dog Fence
- The right residential fences for your dog will often depend on your dog’s size and habits. Smaller dogs may not be able to jump over four foot fences, but many larger dogs can. If your dog likes digging, you may want a fence that can go further into the ground, or that will be less susceptible to wear-and-tear by digging.
- Take inventory of your yard and make sure that there is nothing that could serve as a launching pad out of your yard. This includes permanent structures like sheds, but also temporary things like snow drifts.
- Wrought iron fences are pretty, but fences with gaps can lead to fence running, which creates frustration and bad habits in dogs. Eliminate gaps in your fencing and your dog will likely be less nervous, and less agitated by passerby and other animals. Block your dog’s access to visual stimuli.
Tips for Certain Types of Residential Fences
- Some dogs are great leapers. To prevent this, rollers can be easily added to the top of many fence types, such as wooden and chain link fences.
- Look for gates and fences that stay securely locked. Many dogs are more adept than you think at pushing open simple locks.
- Invisible fences are one option but have obvious drawbacks. Your dog could be endangered if other dogs wander into the area, and visual stimuli will be very present. Agitated dogs can sometimes escape and have trouble re-entering the yard as a result of the fence.
What sort of residential fences would be appropriate for your dog? Let us know in the comments. Learn more at this link: www.longfence.com