[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,

[thelegges]

Even though walls will keep out some wildlife, you will still get , snakes, bobcats. We have wall/fence backs up to prairie, and have turtles, snakes, bobcats, and coyotes. This morning our cameras went off and one of the bear cubs decided to run through our back yard, taking a moment to leave small pile of scat.

You have larger dogs, but if I cared for my pets I would never leave them alone outside. But that’s just one opinion

[WiscoDogsDad]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Even though walls will keep out some wildlife, you will still get , snakes, bobcats. We have wall/fence backs up to prairie, and have turtles, snakes, bobcats, and coyotes. This morning our cameras went off and one of the bear cubs decided to run through our back yard, taking a moment to leave small pile of scat.

You have larger dogs, but if I cared for my pets I would never leave them alone outside. But that’s just one opinion

They are only 35 and 45 pounds apiece....so not huge....but their well-being is my first priority. Your feedback is valuable and appreciated.

[Papa_lecki]

I have a Labrador, i would not let him out.

You actually want a birdcage, where they can stay out all day - then just let them out in the yard for bio breaks.

Too many animals can get into a fenced yard.

[CFrance]

We live in a CYV walled on all sides but the front. We have two dogs, a 40-lb beagle/hound dog mix and a 50-lb American Eskimo mix. I have no problem letting them wander in and out, but I would not sequester myself in a room away from ear shot, and we're very careful about their being out there after dark. After dark the lanai doors are open and we are in the living room. They really don't want to stay out there very long after dark, and I wouldn't let them be out there all evening. We've had a bobcat and one cat run along the wall in the evening, but nothing beside a garter snake has ever invaded the courtyard.
Living on a preserve or golf course with a decorative fence would be a non starter for me.
BTW, we live about ten minutes from the Wildwood dog park on Huey St, which is mostly shade from a dozen live oaks. It's full of squirrels for the beagle to "hunt," and she has taught the other dog to chase them. I would never move, because that's their favorite place to be. A lot of the dog parks in TV have little to no shade and very little seating. Just an FYI.

[villagetinker]

There are several threads on this subject and specifically the threat from predators. We have cats, and while they are free to roam inside the birdcage we had pet rated screening installed primarily to keep other animals out.

[Topspinmo]

CYV probably your best bet unless dogs can clear 5 1/2 foot wall? Only place they could dig would be the PVC fencing separating you’re yard from neighbors and access gate fence on side yard. Plenty of new and resale CYVs on market. Just have find one that fits you. I had flat coated retriever that could clear 4 foot fence easily.

[Taltarzac725]

Bobcats can get over court yard villa walls. And have been known to scratch holes through lanai screens.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Eagles and other birds of prey don't need to climb over a wall to take a shot at your dog. Bobcats can climb trees. As someone mentioned - there are snakes - most of them around here are small constrictors, not poisonous, and not hungry enough to try and swallow a dog. But there are a couple that are poisonous. There's also the matter of shade. If your yard has no shade trees, you absolutely wouldn't want to leave your pets outside unattended.

I don't let my cat outside without me right there with her, and she is skittish about being outside, which is a good thing. She's an indoor cat. If I had dogs I would never -ever- leave them anywhere outside unattended, not in my yard, not anywhere else.

[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.

[MrFlorida]

Don't forget rats, they are around at night.

[RICH1]

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,

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

[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.

[Steban]

Your neighbors will hate your dogs because they are a perceived threat to their much smaller dogs.

They will not appreciate you allowing your dogs to urinate or defecate on the lawns even if you instantly bag it. FYI dog urine does not burn St Augustine and Bahia grass.

Your neighbors will not tolerate your dogs howling in your yard for more than a minute. Even then, they will complain.

Your dogs are acclimated to the cool Wisconsin weather. They will abhor the Florida summer heat and humidity.

Always test the sidewalks and roadways with YOUR bare feet before walking them. Too hot for you, too hot for them.

They will love Florida winters.

We let our massive dog in the yard unsupervised. He wants back in as soon as he is finished his business. Critters are afraid of him.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by WiscoDogsDad

They are only 35 and 45 pounds apiece....so not huge....but their well-being is my first priority. Your feedback is valuable and appreciated.

We have a 19 lb Lhasa Apso and live in a courtyard villa with walls on three sides. No wildlife refuge near us. Our dog goes out….we go out. I’m sure that, in our location, she would be fine but if she decided to go after the occasional black racer or corn snake she would get bit. There are also predatory birds to consider. Probably overprotective but that’s just us.