According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, about 36.5 percent of U.S. households have at least one dog. If you are part of this dog owning group, you need to know that a dog will need a lot of things to be healthy and happy at home, and outdoor time is one of those things. If you plan to only ever take your dog out on a leash, you may want to consider fencing a section of your yard for your pet instead.
Installing a fence on your property is an easy way to add value to the property overall, but there are specific reasons why having a fenced yard with a dog is just a logical decision. Take a look at some of the most important reasons to reach out to a fencing company to have at least some of your backyard enclosed in a good fence for the sake of your canine pet
1. Tethering or Chaining a Dog Is Not Healthy
Many homeowners with a dog forgo the fence and assume chaining them up will be just as efficient. But The Humane Society recommends against continually chaining or tethering a dog. If a dog is left on a chain for long periods, the dog can suffer serious effects, emotionally and physically. For example:
- The dog can become anxious and aggressive
- The dog can develop a sore or raw neck
- The dog is more vulnerable to attacks and becoming entangled
Additionally, a dog who is tethered for long hours unsupervised could turn over their water or food unnoticed, which would mean long hours without hydration or food. Adequate protection from the direct sunlight can also be lacking, which can lead to heat exertion.
2. Your Dog Is a Personal Liability
If your dog manages to get out of the house without your supervision and you have no fenced enclosure, that dog becomes a liability. If anyone in the neighborhood gets scratched, bitten, or otherwise harmed by your pet, you would be responsible for paying their medical bills and possibly their claims of other damages. You could even be held responsible if your pet causes a car accident.
The damages from a dog bite claim can be pretty substantial. In 2018, a FedEx employee sued a dog owner and received a $160,000 settlement after two pit bulls managed to get into his truck while making a delivery. If you have your dog rightly contained in a fenced area, these kinds of incidents are far less likely to ever come up.
3. Keep Predators Away from Your Dog
Most people do not assume dogs to be vulnerable to predatory attacks from other animals, but they definitely can be. Bears, mountain lions, and even some coyotes and wolves would see a tamed canine as an easy target. Therefore, if you live in an area that has a lot of wildlife, you should always keep your dog in an enclosed or fenced area.
Sadly, dogs can even be preyed upon by humans, whether their intent is to do your dog harm or steal your pet. A huge market exists for some of the more expensive dog breeds, such as Cane Corsos that can run as high as $4,000. People will also steal dogs for dog fighting purposes or to simply get it out of the neighborhood because the pet is viewed as a nuisance.
Installing a fence to protect your beloved pet when it is outdoors is one of the kindest things you can do as a dog owner. A fenced area allows your dog to get ample outdoor time and exercise and stay safe in the process. Reach out to us at Duke Fence Co., Inc. for more information about installing a fence on your property for your dog or to obtain a free estimate.
