[PatriciaFaheySimms]

I also have a veranda, located on the villages property perimeter block wall in rear and vinyl fencing on sides. My Shih Tzu is 11 pounds and I always supervise. I had a screen room (bird cage) built because I wanted a mosquito free place after dark for my little dog to potty. Half is concrete patio and half gravel for potty. Don’t want heart worms and have seen 3 snakes. The birdcage won’t stop wild mammals, but it gives me enough time to scoop her up. Private property and beautiful oak trees are behind the wall so the mosquitos and bugs are thick.

[Bruceg0028]

If you leave them outside you not only need to be concerned about outside predators but also fire ants and other insects. We have a 65lb dog and we never leave him outside and unattended. We take him for regular walks and spend time with him. He wants to be with us and we want to be with him.

Besides think of your neighbors and if the dog is disturbing the peace. You want to make friends here not enemies.

[Margefrog]

I'm surprised at an HOA in the Villages one is allowed to leave pets outside, mostly due to barking. I've never seen that before. I wonder the point anyway. Dogs tend to lay around. They sleep about 20 hours a day. What, outside they're getting fresh air and sun? Depending on length, sun is not necessarily good. Hopefully shelter is provided and cool water. It's hot out. Some months very humid and not good for pets. I would never leave my dogs outside alone and feel it's like leaving a toddler outside, in my opinion. With 65 adult years of dog ownership I know stuff happens. Just sayin'.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by sianagers@att.net

Can you tell me how I can get this type of screening? Thank you!

Try Whites Aluminum (441 Leesburg) if this is DIY, if not any of the screening contractors can get this, I have used Todds and A+ screening. Also, I was at Lowes looking for some Glas Screen, and saw they had what appears to be several different types of screens, but I did pay attention to see if they had the heavy-duty pet screen.

[Dsmothers]

Originally Posted by WiscoDogsDad

Happy day, all!

Come spring, my two pups (Redbone coonhound mix and English setter) will be coming to live full time, permanently, in The Villages.

If I'm lucky enough to find a suitable place with a fenced backyard (Courtyard Villa, Veranda, etc) this will be ideal. They are used to a fenced in backyard, here in Wisconsin.

I understand that, there, the fence is as much about keeping dangers OUT as keeping dogs IN!

So, if one were to have a wall fence, as opposed to some of the "permeable" fences I have seen overlooking ponds, can we safely leave our pups out unattended?

By this, I mean, can I go back to my work on my computer as my setter lounges in the sun on a day that is not sweltering? Can I let them out, after dark, for bio breaks, without standing watch?

Again, all this assumes a solid wall and not a fence that critters can easily breach, from the outside.

I would be thrilled to have any blindspots, of mine, illuminated by you kind and experienced dog owners.

Regards,

If you get those houses they work. They also have houses in the new area that have privacy fences. I wish they had them when we moved. My dogs have to use an underground fence and are so scared of the collars even though the they are trained and don’t go to the sidewalk/road without them. I worry because they are frechies and everyone wants one so for their safety I did the fence and I have to stay out with them. I wish they would change the rules for all as they developed homes.
Good luck

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by rochellepfaff

I addition to bobcats, bears, and snakes that can get in your yard, we also have birds of prey. While your dogs are too large to be carried off by a hawk, eagle or large owl, they can still do some pretty serious damage to them with their talons. I would not let them out unsupervised for more than a few minutes.

Correct, unless your animal weighs less than 3-4 pounds, no bird here is capable of carrying them away. So it seems unlikely larger animals would be a target.

If you watch the eagles here, they can barely get back in the air with a half pound fish.



How Much Weight Can An Eagle Carry? — Forest Wildlife

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Margefrog

I'm surprised at an HOA in the Villages one is allowed to leave pets outside, Just sayin'.

No HOA in The Villages.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Margefrog

I'm surprised at an HOA in the Villages

What HOA?

Did the owners vote on an HOA in the last month? I never got my ballot.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by RICH1

The constant barking will be welcomed... Florida Heat is hard on animals

I agree that the Florida summer HEAT is hard on animals.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by PootleK

I have a courtyard villa with a secure wall. I let my dog in and out as and when he wants. I'm not worried about him in the yard alone, but then again he's a 70lb pitbull, not many predators would come after him.

A rattlesnake could be a tough foe for him.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by nativetex

I have a Veranda with a masonry wall on the backside and 6' vinyl fence on the sides. My 98 pound Lab and 93 pound rescue are perfectly safe in the backyard. They go in and out as they wish.

Yes, but not counting rattlesnakes.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by WiscoDogsDad

Happy day, all!

Come spring, my two pups (Redbone coonhound mix and English setter) will be coming to live full time, permanently, in The Villages.

If I'm lucky enough to find a suitable place with a fenced backyard (Courtyard Villa, Veranda, etc) this will be ideal. They are used to a fenced in backyard, here in Wisconsin.

I understand that, there, the fence is as much about keeping dangers OUT as keeping dogs IN!

So, if one were to have a wall fence, as opposed to some of the "permeable" fences I have seen overlooking ponds, can we safely leave our pups out unattended?

By this, I mean, can I go back to my work on my computer as my setter lounges in the sun on a day that is not sweltering? Can I let them out, after dark, for bio breaks, without standing watch?

Again, all this assumes a solid wall and not a fence that critters can easily breach, from the outside.

I would be thrilled to have any blindspots, of mine, illuminated by you kind and experienced dog owners.

Regards,

On a serious note, does it have to be in The Villages?
I know of a house in a (real!) gated community on a 1/4 acre with a large fenced yard.
That would solve your problem.