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 question for those who live out in the boonies
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| Author | Topic: question for those who live out in the boonies |
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honeybear Member  Posts: 926 |
posted 02-19-2004 11:43 AM
 
2 years ago we moved to the country we have 5 acres and 400 of nothing behind us so here is the issue. I was raised with my dogs walking on leash or being off when we around certain circumtances. My husband gerw with his dog that roamed the hills and always came home. Since we have been here, Wylie gets ro run around the front while we are outside and when we go for hikes behind the house she is off leash. The last few days I thought we were going to need an ark - we had 7 inches of rain in one day this went on for 4 days. Wylie is the type of dog that needs to expelher energy by running. I could throw a ball forhours and it is not the same I got home from work last night and walk in the house and my husband says" Did you bring Wyliwe in with you" I am like how could I just drove up, he said he left her out front and him and Jake came in the house. So I go outside and no Wylie, After calling for her for a few minutes and whistling she comes running to me with her tongue about ready to hit the floor. because she had been cooped up she needed to run and decided to take herself for a run. I think she follows the trail we take and then comes back. She has done this on 3 occasions.
I am I just being paranoid? I know a lot of people around here leave their dogs out and they never run away, but it just worries me to death, like when we do go for our hikes my husband will just let her go and do her thing, lettign her out of his sight and I cant. again it just drives me crazy IP: Logged |
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puggleowner Member Posts: 228 |
posted 02-19-2004 01:00 PM
Well, since you have so much free land around you, it seems like a waste to not let the dogs roam on it- on the other hand I understand your fears, I would be the same way! My parents have a lot of land, and their dog Pacer always runs free on it, and so does Cameron when I come to visit- she just seems so happy running around with Pacer that I can't resist. I do get nervous, though, because there is a very busy road close by, though it is on the other side of the house and they never go that way. I'd say it depends on how you honestly feel about Wylie- do you think she is a pretty reliable dog in that he'll stick around? Does she get lost easily? I think it's great that she can burn energy giving himself walks-- I would maybe keep giving her a little freedom here and there and see how she does- if she keeps returning home soon after you call her, then I wouldn't worry so much- just don't let her roam for too long or past dark, and I don't know how it is there, but here in Michigan there are always hunters lurking about on free land, so I would maybe have her wear one of those orange things around his collar. P.S. Have you thought about a radio fence or something like that? [This message has been edited by puggleowner (edited 02-19-2004).] IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member Posts: 926 |
posted 02-19-2004 01:29 PM
puggles - we do have a huge fenced yard, but for her, but it is not the same as if she can run, run run. With her it is so strange but you can actually so those endorphins kick in because the more she goes it looks like she gets this high. She has a real keen sense of smell, but sometimes I worry about her possbily getting distracted and then getting lost. But she is good at coming when we call her. I am probably over worrying, but that was my thought last night, here it is almost dark, (I could strangle my husband for letting her do this at this time of the eve. and what if she gets disoriented. We have coyotes and even a bear nearby, that is my main worry about nighttime. I dont think I will ever be comfortable letting Jake and Wylie out on their own. Jake never strays too far, he panics whe we are out of sight. luckily I dont have to worry about him. honeybear honeybear IP: Logged |
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MaryNH Member Posts: 240 |
posted 02-19-2004 03:39 PM
here's how I look at it...we live in a rural area but not with acres upon acres of land - unfortunately we have stupid neighbors who think THEY can let their dogs run free...different story though. I wouldn't let my child run free without some form of guidance for hours and hours and hours not knowing where they are. Wouldn't let my dog either. That's just how I see my pets...maybe not a biological kid (well I've been called a dog on more than one ocassion) - but my pets rely on me for protection and if they are running all over the place without any form of guidance how can you protect them? You can't anymore than you could protect your child who is running about doing who knows what, where, when and how. We have a lot of wildlife around here...that would be another concern of mine. Coyotes, foxes, etc. And if you have that much land you never know is your dog chasing deer, is there someone out there in those woods with a rifle, is something poisoned. Call me paranoid but these things would be all running through my head everytime I opened the dog and just let the dog run. IP: Logged |
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MaryNH Member Posts: 240 |
posted 02-19-2004 03:42 PM
and stuff like this would be another cause for concern...since you do live in a rural area in the middle of acreage I would be SO AFRAID of something like this happening. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0218_040218_dogfighting.html IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member Posts: 926 |
posted 02-19-2004 04:05 PM
mary - I know you how feel about neighbors and loose dogs, our neighbors across the street dogs is always in the road because they just let it run loose all of the time Our dogs are normally always under some sort of supervision, we just dont let them have free reign on their own, we have a fenced backyard they are in when we are not home. My husband thought since I would be home in a few minutes he would continue to let her play in front while he went inside so she could greet me. and when he is out front working they are running around exploring. Fortunatley all of the land behind us is a game preserve, so no hunters, it didnt used to be that way, up until a few years ago people would do drive by hunting - so illegal, not to mention dangerous. IP: Logged |
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PinkPoodleSparkles Member Posts: 67 |
posted 02-19-2004 06:08 PM
I have lived in the country my whole life. First off I live in Georgia---COUNTRY second i live in SOUTH GEORGIA----COUNTRY!! I also live 4 miles down a dirt road with nothing but woods and trees all around. My dogs have never not come home not once. Dogs are funny about knowing where home is and when you first move somewhere they dont roam at first cause they want to get the smell of your new house. They want to get to know the land with you. I think that now that they have been there for a while they are starting to roam on their own to get their own view of the land. I think its normal to worry if you have never had that much space before. You will get better in time! stephanie IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member Posts: 926 |
posted 02-20-2004 08:09 AM
thanks for the positive feedback stephanie, I just have to not worry so much honeybear IP: Logged |
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Samsintentions Member Posts: 944 |
posted 02-20-2004 08:39 AM
Well, my dogs are kenneled when we aren't home. We have vast land as you do, and when we're home, we don't worry they roam free. As for my parents dogs, they have never been kept inside, or on leashes except for vet calls and annual vaccination trips. They run off and don't come back all day, but at the end of the day, they all return. You'd be suprised how far a dog can go and find its way back home. A friend of mines labs had to stay the weekend with her parents who live about 25 miles away. They jumped the fence and were waiting for her to come home on their front porch wehn they returned from their trip that Sunday evening.....Amazingly neither were hurt, but boy was everyone else worried!!! IP: Logged |
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