Good Fences Make Good Neighbors . . .

As I recall, Robert Frost made that observation in "The Mending Wall", and it certainly applies to dog owners as well. Good Fences (help to) Make Good Neighbors, and responsible dog owners. Although a fenced yard is not always a requirement, it certainly makes dog ownership easier! It's no longer safe ANYWHERE for dogs to run free, no dog can be 100% "yard trained" and in most areas it's illegal for dogs to run free. I lived in a carriage house for a year, with my second and third Dals (and my ex-husband too) and it worked fine for us because I took the time to walk Gremlin and Pooka. I have sold dogs to both single folks and couples that lived in apartments, and they have done a great job. BUT, the average dog owning home needs a fenced yard, and if there are children in the family, a fenced yard is a must. (For the safety of both dogs and kids . . .)

Invisible Fencing works "OK" up to a point, but a highly motivated Dalmatian can break through - usually when in hot pursuit of a rabbit, squirrel or free-roaming cat. And of course it does not keep other animals - or children - out of your yard. Dogs should never ever be left unsupervised inside an invisible fence. Because many dogs feel it is their job to "guard" the yard, such a fence leaves the owner open to biting incidents - and law suits. A delivery person can see a standard fence and take precautions, but is not aware that a dog may be loose inside an invisible fence. A dog in that situation can also be easily stolen.

The worse type of confinement however is tieing or chaining a dog. My contract states that the buyer agrees that the dog they are purchasing WILL NOT BE CHAINED. If you pay attention to the biting incidents in the news, the culprit is often a dog who is chained out - to be teased and tormented and totally unsupervised. Chaining a dog often encourages aggressive behavior even in the mildest mannered dogs, and a wandering child can easily be bitten my a seemingly friendly dog. Children are not likely to pick up on aggressive body language from the dog, and a chained, excited and frustrated dog can do great harm. Just not a good or safe idea.

I recently decided not to place a puppy in an otherwise suitable home with kids, just because there was no fence. Kids are not strong enough to restaint an enthusiastic young dog who sees a squirrel, and too many dogs are killed or injured by cars - and sometimes an innocent motorist is injured trying to avoid a free roaming dog - again, resulting in a possible lawsuit.

Owning a dog is a big responsibility that requires careful thought, a lot of planning and much work on the part of the owners.

Yep, I know Tom's Blog is missing. Hope he did not inadvertently kill it off. I miss it too.