Experience is the best teacher and has taught us that the
safest environment for a Rescue German Shepherd includes a fenced yard or
area. Generally speaking, most rescued dogs need more limitations because
they need time to get to know the new owners and bond. We feel VERY STRONGLY
that dogs allowed to wander unsupervised are dogs that are at a greater risk
of getting lost, stolen, poisoned or struck by a car. Dogs that run loose
are also at risk of exposure to rabid animals, potentially bringing this
fatal disease home to the family.
GSRNE requires some kind of fenced area attached to your
house at the back or side door. This is to ensure the safety of the
dog. Your fenced area doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. It does
NOT have to encompass your entire yard.
The fenced enclosure is intended to guarantee a secure
outdoor exercise area for the dog, but is NOT intended as a place for the
dog to live. German Shepherds are highly social, people-dogs and need to be
with you to be happy.
Placement:
Location of the fenced area should also be taken into consideration. It
needs to be
attached to your house at the back or side door, so it will
ensure an increased measure of safety for your dog and prove a convenience
for you. It should include a lockable gate. A fence along a sidewalk or
road needs to be set back at least 20 feet or be a stockade type fence.
Size: The fenced area needs to be at least 1000 square
feet (for example 20’ x 50’) to provide your GSD with a comfortable,
safe space in which to get some exercise and fresh air, and to eliminate,
without concern of people, kids, animals or wildlife wandering into their
area. Kennels or pens do not qualify, unless enclosed within a larger
fenced area attached to your house. Shade and shelter from the sun
and elements should also be provided as well as fresh water.
Height:
We generally require at least a 5 foot high fence for active dogs. We are
willing to discuss a fence height exception of a 4' fence for less active
dogs.
Type of Fence:
A satisfactory fence may be built of stockade, chain link, heavy wooden
posts with heavy gauge wire, or metal posts with heavy gage wire, preferably
with a rigid metal bar along the top. (No dog should be left unattended
for any length of time in the latter type of enclosure because they are
relatively easy to escape.) Equal attention should be given to the security
of the fence along its bottom in order to prevent dogs from digging out.
Invisible Fencing:
Major limitations of the invisible fence system are: any dog or rabid animal
may come onto your property, not all dogs can be trained to obey the system,
any people coming onto your property do not have the benefit of a physical
barrier between themselves and the dog, and dog friends' or enemies cannot
come over to play or fight inside a fenced area. This fencing is not
approved because of these potential problems.
Tie-outs:
The use of tie-outs or overhead runners is not safe or allowed for a German
Shepherd. Dogs on tie-outs may become tangled or choke and are not able to
adequately defend themselves from other dogs or animals that may enter the
yard. They are easy targets for thieves, are usually not very happy dogs and
tend to bark a lot. Tying out German Shepherds has been shown to increase
frustration and aggression levels.
Access to the Fenced Area:
GSRNE rescue dogs should only be allowed to use the fenced area when
supervised, i.e. you are home or outside with the dog. Dog doors allowing
your dog access to the outdoors while you are not home are also not
considered safe for a rescue GSD. German Shepherds are intelligent,
inquisitive dogs who should be with their families, or should be safely
inside the house if nobody can supervise them. German Shepherds left outside
alone even in a fenced area for long periods of time can develop problems
such as digging, barking, and fence frustration at not being able to join
people or dogs outside. No dog should be left unattended for any length of
time in general, because it is relatively easy for the dog to escape.
Pools:
If you have an in-ground pool, you must have a fence around the pool to keep
your dog from falling in and drowning. We’re sorry to say that drownings
have happened before, even with dogs that have spent years around pools, and
we want to prevent it from happening again. Exceptions can be made if 1)
your pool has graduated steps and you teach your dog how to get out of the
pool using them and 2) you use a pool cover during the winter that can bear
the weight of a person.
Senior or Special Needs Dogs: For
some senior & special needs GSDs, the fencing requirement may be waived.
This will be approved on a case-by-case basis
City Living:
If you live in a dense urban area in a large city like Boston, we may make
an exception to our fence policy if you can provide enough exercise for your
dog in safe alternate ways.
While a secure fence is the goal of our fencing policy, a
fence does not automatically make every home a good home for a rescued
German Shepherd Dog. A fenced area is just a place for the dog to be off
leash and safe, to get some fresh air, eliminate and to play... it is not a
place for the dog to live! We regret that this policy may eliminate some
homes, but our first concern must be the safety of the dogs with which we
have been entrusted. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
