24/7 Unsupervised Access to a Dog Run?

[DXMorris]

We're building a dog run for the fellas and the BH (better half) is going back to work this fall. I'm wondering what kind of idea it is to let the guys go out to the dog run when we're not around. The alternative is crating for the 7-8 hours we'll both be gone and that sortta gives me the willies.

They haven't ever jumped our fence now and the new one will be taller - 6'. Now we check in on them every 10 minutes or so when they're playing in the fenced yard with only one or two incidents of either the mailman or a local stray dog opening the gate (yes, there's a local stray who actually knows how to open a gate). Some additional fencing and locks have since been installed.

I've checked out the forums and googled it quite a bit and saw reports of theft and escapes but am wondering if this could be like the news and you don't see the reports of when everything goes well. Does anyone do this? What do you all think of this idea?


Thanks and Cheers,

Dave

 

[Jill's boxer]

I didn't have a dog run, but with my first boxer, I would leave the sliding glass door open enough for him to go in/out of the yard while we were at work. Never really worried about burglars, it was a nice quiet neighborhood and our good friend lived next door. He always did fine, no problems. He also would stay out in the yard (door closed) as well--luckily San Diego weather was pretty ideal for this!

 

[SILLY6PAK]

Can't you lock the run gate so their is no worry that someone will open it. Also make sure they cannot dig out. We have a 12X12 kennel that has a wood floor and a shade roof. We do not use it much but it is nice to have a secure area.

 

[Rock's Ma]

We have a great dog run. It is in the shade under the trees, with a top, and a cement floor (the bottom of the kennel is cemented to the ground). We also have a padlock on it. Rock and Sammy aren't crated so Duke uses the kennel on nice days. Otherwise poor Duke is crated while we are at work, left at the mercy of our son to let him out for a short break at lunch.

 

[Net45582]

My girls stay in a fenced yard while I'm at work daily. This is my only option since I work full time. I've been doing this over over 15 years with no incidents...although there's always the chance for mishaps-I just try to keep them minumized.Good luck
Wanda Kiddo & Chancey

 

[New Mom]

We have a doggie door that goes out into our fenced in yard. We keep the gates locked and it works well for us when we're not home as well as when we are home. It's really nice that Jesse will just go outside at 5AM and leave us alone! All three of the babies pretty much just come and go as they please.

 

[KonaKoffe]

Personally I don't leave the dogs outside unattended and would never consider giving them access to a run when we are not home. Cassius was deathly allergic to bees so my reason there is obvious. We also have a pond -another obvious reason.

There are just to many risks involved (insects, theft, sickness, kids, weather strays, eating plants, escape) in leaving them outside by themselves.

My aunt had an outdoor run and her dog was killed because someone threw some poisoned food into the run.

 

[daisykaye]

I had a 12 X 12 shed converted into a kennel for my dogs. It is heated and air-conditioned. They have a rug that covers the floor and several beds to lie in. My skin kids call it the doggie palace. The dogs have access to a very large fenced in back yard. Even when we are home, they would rather be outside chasing birds and bugs.

Yes, there is all kind of dangers with them outside, but the alternative is to have them crated for long hours. It is not in me to do this. My dogs love to run and play, because, this is what they get to do when I not working. I work at a cotton gin, which is seasonal work for about 6 months. The other 6 month I am home all the time. I am an avid garden so we pretty well stay outside most of the time.

The other reason is that we are about 80 miles from the nearest town with a wal-mart. Our small town only has a small grocery store and a hardware store. I go to the larger town once a month to get supplies and groceries it takes me all day to do this. I cannot leave them crated that long.

I feel that my dogs are healthy, happy, and well loved and I do the best I can for them.

 

[DXMorris]

This is great. Thanks for the info everyone.

Some of the risks mentioned won't apply. We'll put a lock on the gate. It's more rural than suburban and there won't be any kids nearby. House and run are set far back and not visible from the road......

Just had a bright idea, I may get an internet camera so that I can check in on them from work. I'd probably just wind up gawking at them all day and not getting any work done.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Checkers]

Lily is outside during the day. I leave her inside if its heavily raining or too cold, but she doesnt like it. She is way happier outside She has a kennel and the whole yard to run in.

Dave depending on how big the run is, you could always put something like a mesh cover or chicken wire over the top to make sure they cant jump out Comfy kennel, space to play, being able to pee whenever, they'll love it