Golden Retrievers love people and that is one of their motivations for climbing or jumping a fence that was made for smaller animals. If your Golden has lots of energy, is still fairly young, then you need to take the right precautions to make sure your fence will safely keep your dog inside your yard.
Can Golden Retrievers jump fences? They have the ability to jump fences and without proper training will do so if they get bored or restless or see someone or thing they want to contact. Golden Retrievers are very friendly dogs who like to play.
To learn more about this issue and what you can do about, along with what to avoid, just continue to read our article. It explores this issue so you have the answers you need.
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Can Golden Retrievers Jump Fences
Goldens are big dogs and big dogs have lots of power. That power is often translated into jumping force when your Golden sees something that interests them on the other side.
Most Golden retrievers need at least a 6-foot fence to keep them contained. Most consider a 4-foot fence no match for most of this breed, while some will not attempt to jump over a 4- foot fence.
My almost 2 year old golden retriever who was a free ranger for most of his first year is completely contained by a 4 – foot fence. When the fence first went up we trained him to stay while the gate was open and of course rewarded the behavior.
To help your dog to stay inside the fence you can provide them with some good careful and consistent training. This training should not harm the dog but make sure they learn that jumping fences and on people are wrong.
What Type Of Fence Should You Have
This is the biggest problem you may have with your Golden retriever. This breed is very loyal, strong, and has lots of energy. That energy is often transferred to jumping when they cannot burn it off through regular playtime or exercise.
That means you need a good fence to restrain your Golden and keep them inside where they are safe. Height is not the only factor when considering the type of fence you will build.
1. Wood Fences
If you have an existing fence but it is only 4 feet high, adding an extension may not be smart as Goldens are very strong. they have been known to knock those extensions over, chew a hole through cheaper materials, or learn to jump a little higher, and so on.
Tearing the old fence down and building a new 6-foot fence is one solution as long as it is strong, made of tough materials, and won’t be knocked over too easily. Wood is good as long as your Golden can’t find foot holds to help him or her climb the fence.
2. Chain link fences
That means that chain link fences while looking good on your property, are out. Smart dogs can learn how to use those holes to climb up and over the top of the fence. Also not all chain link fencing is strong and can easily be bent by a strong dog like the Golden Retriever.
If the fencing between posts is two flexible a determined dog can easily bend the fencing and lower the top to make it easier to jump over
3. Invisible fencing
Invisible fences work on Goldens but not all the time. They are easy to put up, provide training to the dog to let them know their boundaries, and don’t look that bad once put in place.
The drawbacks to invisible fences include loss of signal, dead batteries, or the determination of the dog. Once the shock has worn off, the dog is off and running. When that happens the dog may not want to return as it does not want to be shocked again. That’s why we don’t recommend an invisible fence.
4. Critter Fence – The Least Expensive
A galvanized steel critter fence is the least expensive fencing option. The holes are small enough to prevent a dog from using them as a foothold. You can also bury the critter fence in the ground to keep your dog from digging out.
Another thing I like about using critter fence is the ability to see through it. If you have acreage and don’t want to have to put up a privacy fence the critter fence is a good way to go.
Consider The Area Around Your Home
This is important as outside stimulation; for example, a busy street may have your dog forgetting their training and try to leap the fence. Since Goldens love people, they like to get near them and try to get those strangers to play with them. They may also jump on those people, and you will get into trouble.
The best defense against active squirrels in wooded areas or kids and adults walking by your property is to keep your Golden from seeing them. Normally, wooded areas have less visual stimulation you may be able to get away with a four-foot fence.
There is little in those woods that would tempt your pet to jump the fence and run after whatever they see. But wooded areas still have some activities that may tempt your pet to jump that low of a fence.
Whether in a busy street or wooded area,, what needs to be done is to cut off your dog’s line of sight. Build your fence using solid panels that are strong and cannot be manipulated by your large dog. Using a critter fence and burying it in the ground will stop your dog from digging out.
Keeping your dog from seeing people, small animals, cats or even other dogs helps your Golden to stay calm and enjoy their surroundings. They won’t be teased or distracted either.
Cutting down the temptation to jump the fence by blocking your dog’s view is great for their overall health.
Other factors that help your Golden Retriever leap the fence
A short, easy to climb or weak fence is not the only factor that helps your dog leap the fence and play in the neighborhood. Other factors make their contribution to your pet’s escape plan.
1. Snow
Believe it or not, snow will help your dog escape and give it a shorter distance to jump. When you live in a region of the country that gets a lot of snow each winter, your dog, the frequent snowfalls, or other backyard activities can pack that snow and give your pet a nice high launching pad.
Packed snow can make a 6-foot fence into a 4 foot one under the right conditions. The best thing you can do is move that snow away from the fence. It means more shoveling on you or your kids’ parts but it is better than seeing your dog run through the neighbor and at risk of being hit by a car.
2. Backyard Clutter
This includes power lawnmowers near the fence, woodpiles, garbage cans, slides or other childhood recreation toys, and more. Re-locate the clutter away from the fence so that your dog cannot use them for his next great escape.
3. Holes in the fence
This is not referring to holes made by wear and tear, accidents, or extreme weather conditions. It refers to the type of construction that went into building the fence. If the fence has spaces between the slats, the steel fencing, or other openings, your Golden Retriever may try to squeeze through.
Don’t laugh, it has been known to happen.
Loneliness Motivates Goldens To Leap Fences
Golden retrievers like being around people. They do not like being left alone and their lonely feelings may help them decide to see what kind of friends they can meet on the other side of your fence.
Goldens need company plus, they need good supervision if they are going to adhere to their training. make sure your pet is not left for long periods of time in your fenced yard without someone to lay with or something to do.
make the backyard more fun for your dog. Provide them with toys to play with, play games with them or even hide some treats for them to go find. keep your dog from getting bored or lonely is a great way to stop their leaping over your fence.
Other Tips To Help Stop Your Golden Retriever’s Fence Leaping
If you are a new dog owner, it pays to have an arsenal of options at your disposal to keep your dog from leaping over the fence. Here are some tips to help you redesign your fenced area:
- cat netting– this can go on chain link fences and placed at an angle to stop your dog from climbing
- use a coyote roller– this is placed at the top of the fence and prevents your dog from getting a good paw hold
- plant trees– the right vegetation will provide an excellent barrier to stop your dog from leaping the fence
- add a second fence– Goldens can leap over fences because they have enough room to build up a head of steam. A second fence stops that from taking place
- install an L footer–
Some Final Words
Golden retrievers were bred to help hunters retrieve the game they shot. That means they were given energy, strength, and strong legs. All those characteristics help your Golden to leap fences when they are so inclined.
Taking the right measures, training, cutting their field of vision, and so on, helps stop your dog from making their getaway. The best option is to spend more time with your pet, give them plenty of exercise, and make your fenced area more fun for him or her.