CHESTNUT & Another PLUG FOR TOP DOG FENCING, part 5 in a series

(SCROLL DOWN TO BEGIN AT PART 1)

DIY fencing is fine, but again, if you want it done right, just call Ed at Top Dog Fence. I called Ed first about four years ago after finding the break in the wire and trying to repair it. It was JUST TOOOOOO MUCH to contemplate. Top Dog came out, and in just a few hours, they installed the wire around the entire property, including under the black top at the head of the driveway and back across the driveway to the control panel. They installed it in cleared grassy places and in deep woods. They marked it with orange and white flags, and then they trained the two big dogs to it. It was easy. And they have never crossed the barrier or gone into the street since it was installed!

I was reminded of the need for fencing when I found Chestnut, one of our youngest RedTeddies, out of the puppy play yard once again. I was certain I had put her in, and all the gates were closed, yet there she was, at the front door, or playing with Sara and Sparky in the big yard… 

Chestnut is a Moyen, or small Standard Poodle. But we are not a Standard Poodle breeder. We are a Miniature and Toy Poodle breeder. Have you ever had a breeder tell you, “I just cannot believe how small this little puppy is,” when they are talking about a Poodle whose ancestry is no doubt part dinosaur? And you believe them? If you ever hear this, or anything like it, just remember that all size is relative, and a small Standard Poodle is still likely going to be able to jump over a four-foot fence. Without a problem. Not like Leo, the Miniature exceptional climbing monkey Poodle. A Standard can do this just by reaching up, elegantly, and suddenly without any effort, finding herself on the outside of the fence. Now what do I do? 

Chestnut is a gorgeous and HUGE (and still growing) red AKC Poodle for whom we almost but not quite re-mortgaged the house. But she can easily defeat the fence! Just two choices, maybe more but we could only think of two choices: increase the height of all our fences, or call back Ed at Top Dog Fence. So that’s what we did: we used the phone because it was much easier than engineering acres of taller fencing.

Ed was brilliant. He signaled the presence of the fence with orange flags all along the perimeter, and then trained both Chestnut, and the RedTeddy staff, how to stay safely inside our invisible property boundary. Ed has a patient and caring way with dogs. He talks to them like equals, simply reminding them that there is something to avoid on the fence line. He starts with a tone, not a shock, and traipses all over, back and forth, reinforcing the boundary for Chestnut by having her approach the edge and turn back on her own. She knows there is a barrier because she sees the orange flags; this allows her to make her own decision to back away. Ed did not force her to cross the boundary or get too close and get a shock; he gently allowed her to get the idea, before she got any correction at all!  Ed even used Sparky and Sara to help train Chestnut. Afterwards, we worked with her every day for a week. Then, Ed came back and reinforced the training for both humans and Chestnut: PROBLEM SOLVED! 

We are still working with Chestnut, slowly expanding the areas that are free to her, and Ed will come back anytime we need him. Top Dog Fence also sells high quality collars and batteries. The original collars for Sara and Sparky are still going strong after over ten years!