lanai, dogs, birdcages, oh my

[NJSonja]

so, i am looking at a property with a lanai with no enclosed back yard....how do people with dogs construct things for the dogs to go out and come back through a lanai...nice amount of property past the lanai...obviously not a courtyard village....any comments, suggestions?

sonja

[teachnmo]

When your dog goes outside it must be on a leash. If you haven't been use to this (as we weren't), you get use to it soon.

[NJSonja]

this is why i want to construct something like an attached birdcage to a lanai...that solves the problem of a leash...doesn't it? it would be enclosed and that's what i am looking for...

sonja

[Barefoot]

so, i am looking at a property with a lanai with no enclosed back yard....how do people with dogs construct things for the dogs to go out and come back through a lanai...nice amount of property past the lanai...obviously not a courtyard village....any comments, suggestions?
sonja

Dogs cannot "run free" in your yard. They must either be on a leash at all times, or you will need to install invisible fencing. We use invisible fencing for our two dogs, 10 pounds and 70 pounds. That is a solution a lot of Village residents use.

I suggest you hit the Search button on the blue line above, and type in "invisible fencing". You will find a ton of information.

[ilovetv]

Courtyard villa is perfect for dogs to roam around in their own yard. That will also locate you among other dog owners who won't freak out about every little thing a dog might dooooooo.

[NJSonja]

are you saying that they can't run free in an enclosed birdcage on my property? that doesn't make sense....the birdcage would be enclosed...they can't get out....i would have a doggy door from the enclosed lanai into the enclosed birdcage...

[janmcn]

are you saying that they can't run free in an enclosed birdcage on my property? that doesn't make sense....the birdcage would be enclosed...they can't get out....i would have a doggy door from the enclosed lanai into the enclosed birdcage...

Dogs can run free in an enclosed birdcage just as they can on an enclosed lanai, and you could hose it off daily to remove any odors.

[angiefox10]

I sent you a PM

[villager]

I was going to suggest the invisible fencing and also mention that I know of someone who had a birdcage built in her grassed back yard for her dogs. You could design an area with concrete for people and grass for the doggies. That way, everyone is happy and can use the area.

[JohnN]

you can certainly build a larger birdcage around the lanai.

most people use invisible fencing or get a courtyard villa.

[casita37]

are you saying that they can't run free in an enclosed birdcage on my property? that doesn't make sense....the birdcage would be enclosed...they can't get out....i would have a doggy door from the enclosed lanai into the enclosed birdcage...


Sounds like you may be thinking along the lines I was before we bought our house. We wanted to put up a birdcage, over grass, for the dog. I had a couple of contractors tell me that only 10% of the area inside your birdcage can be natural. The rest has to be concrete, stone, etc. So, if you put up a 10'X20' birdcage, only 4X5 of that can be grass, which might be OK for a small dog, or put up a much larger birdcage. We decided against it because I don't want my whole back yard to be concrete!

[asianthree]

you can get the potty grass for dogs and put in down in the bird cage

[cquick]

ok, I am ready for arguments! I have a pet peeve about calling the screening around a pool or patio a BIRDCAGE. Where did this stupid expression come from? I've lived in Orlando for 12 years, and had 2 houses there. Never had come across this terminology. I don't know anyone who keeps birds in there.......:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[borjo]

cquick,
What do you call it???

[Barefoot]

ok, I am ready for arguments! I have a pet peeve about calling the screening around a pool or patio a BIRDCAGE. Where did this stupid expression come from? I've lived in Orlando for 12 years, and had 2 houses there. Never had come across this terminology. I don't know anyone who keeps birds in there.......:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I love the terms: birdcage and lanai. So much more picturesque than patio or deck. Perhaps the term "birdcage" is unique to The Villages.

We were told by the people who built our birdcage that the Building Permit would only be approved if we cemented in the entire area. And that "the cement rule" was specifically designed to make sure that residents weren't using their birdcages for doggie bathrooms. However perhaps the company who built our birdcage was under a misunderstanding.

[hotrodgirl]

I looked at a courtyard villa for exactly that reason, but ended up building a designer. Well, I just actually bought the lot last week.... I do have a fenced in yard here in the Chicago area, but generally just let the dogs out there first thing in the morning and before bed. Otherwise I walk them. So in TV I will perhaps put a couple of tie outs close to the house and use those in emergencies! The exercise will do me good!

[LABSX2]

Sounds like you may be thinking along the lines I was before we bought our house. We wanted to put up a birdcage, over grass, for the dog. I had a couple of contractors tell me that only 10% of the area inside your birdcage can be natural. The rest has to be concrete, stone, etc. So, if you put up a 10'X20' birdcage, only 4X5 of that can be grass, which might be OK for a small dog, or put up a much larger birdcage. We decided against it because I don't want my whole back yard to be concrete!

I can see the point of this restriction. Otherwise anyone with a dog and enough grass could basically put up an oversized dog kennel. Even though I have two large dogs myself and it would be a nice solution, I can see why neighbors might not appreciate it.

[jblum315]

Seems like a Courtyard Villa (usually known as CYV) is the answer to your doggie problem. Wall around the yard, dogs can go in and out especially if you install a doggie door. There are some very nice larger CYV's.

[NJSonja]

what i find fascinating is that i have been researching the village for years, and i mean years...since i was in my mid forties....and i have never come across this "restriction"...my husband does not want a cv only because he does not want to stare at a wall around our property....we are in northern nj and we have 5 inches between houses here....i can definitely understand where he is coming from.....so i will continue to research and see what i can come up with....now i understand why constructing a "birdcage" is so expensive...it's not the birdcage per se, it's the pouring of the concrete....and trying to understand what one of the above posters said, many of the dogs up here go on concrete...so if you want to construct an enormous birdcage and have the money to pour concrete for a large area, it makes no difference if the dogs are going to go on the concrete....the only reason i wouldn't consider it a kennel is because my understanding is (and please correct me if i am wrong) you are limited to two dogs...now can anyone give me information on the size of the dogs you are allowed? i am just curious on that one...

thanks again everyone for your helpful info...

sonja

[jimbo2012]

my husband does not want a cv only because he does not want to stare at a wall around our property

We agree with you there.

it's not the birdcage per se, it's the pouring of the concrete

The concrete is not the expensive part about $5 a sq, it's the cage.

can anyone give me information on the size of the dogs you are allowed?

The rules just say 2, no other issues.

The CYV or bird cage is not going to protect your dogs from some of the wildlife around, consider just walking them or get an invisible fence.

[cquick]

cquick,
What do you call it???

I call it a screened pool or screened lanai.......birdcage is just too cutesy for me. :1rotfl:

[Barefoot]

what i find fascinating is that i have been researching the village for years, and i mean years...since i was in my mid forties....and i have never come across this "restriction"...my husband does not want a cv only because he does not want to stare at a wall around our property....we are in northern nj and we have 5 inches between houses here....i can definitely understand where he is coming from.....so i will continue to research and see what i can come up with....now i understand why constructing a "birdcage" is so expensive...it's not the birdcage per se, it's the pouring of the concrete....and trying to understand what one of the above posters said, many of the dogs up here go on concrete...so if you want to construct an enormous birdcage and have the money to pour concrete for a large area, it makes no difference if the dogs are going to go on the concrete....the only reason i wouldn't consider it a kennel is because my understanding is (and please correct me if i am wrong) you are limited to two dogs...now can anyone give me information on the size of the dogs you are allowed? i am just curious on
that one...
thanks again everyone for your helpful info.. sonja

One reason we purchased in TV ... No restrictions on the size of dogs! LolliPop weighs 70 lbs. The "rule" is only two domestic pets per household. However I know people with more than two cats (which are kept indoors, of course).

I understand your concern about the walls in a courtyard villa. If you buy a villa on a view lot, the back wall will only be a few feet high.

[NJSonja]

a birdcage doesn't protect them? there is a top on it...can you clarify?

s

[Barefoot]

The CYV or bird cage is not going to protect your dogs from some of the wildlife around, consider just walking them or get an invisible fence.

The birdcage is enclosed and will protect your pets. Invisible fencing will keep your pets in your yard, but won't prevent any wildlife from coming in. We have invisible fencing which contains our dogs, but I always supervise them closely, as we back on a golf course where coyotes have been seen. Our LolliPop is larger than a coyote, but we also have a ten pound dog.

[NJSonja]

just as an aside....and i'm really not talking about THE VILLAGES, but in nj, there have been several issues with invisible fences...they may keep your dogs in your yard, but it doesn't prevent someone from taking a dog out of your yard...and that has happened several times in the surrounding areas of where i live....really a shame...people steal dogs...so sad

[btf2008]

FYI...We are currently under contract to have a Birdcage installed on our Sanibel home. There is no restriction of concrete vs. grass... we are having a concrete slab poured on one end 18'x10' with the other end ALL grass 29'x7'. However, there will be a 6" concrete footing along the 29' side and 7' side to support the birdcage. The grassy area under the birdcage will still have the sprinklers operational too. Our dogs will love it...we are gonna love it! :pepper2:

[NJSonja]

I was distinctly told by the Villages Management Property folks that there is a restriction of concrete vs. grass. Is this not true?

sonja

[jimbo2012]

I was told that also but I was also told you can get exceptions.

[NJSonja]

and how do you get an exception?

s

[jimbo2012]

PM sent

[raynitsche]

412 SAN PEDRO DR
THE VILLAGES, FL 32159-8700
VLS# 212370
2 Bed 2 Bath / 1498 Sq. Ft.
$159,900

Check out this pending sale on the village for sale site. House pending but check the rear yard.

[graciegirl]

412 SAN PEDRO DR
THE VILLAGES, FL 32159-8700
VLS# 212370
2 Bed 2 Bath / 1498 Sq. Ft.
$159,900

Check out this pending sale on the village for sale site. House pending but check the rear yard.


Wow...it has grass in the birdcage, looks like real grass. Go to Villages site and type in San Pedro on the line for the street. It is the first one.

Great price too.

[NJSonja]

I did not receive a pm from you....please email me at petdaycare at aol dot com

ty

[LndLocked]

When your dog goes outside it must be on a leash. If you haven't been use to this (as we weren't), you get use to it soon.

This is not true. Your dog must only be on a leash if they are on "common property". Their are NO TV covenants or city / county laws that require you to have your dog on a leash on your property.

[LndLocked]

Dogs cannot "run free" in your yard. They must either be on a leash at all times, or you will need to install invisible fencing. We use invisible fencing for our two dogs, 10 pounds and 70 pounds. That is a solution a lot of Village residents use.

I suggest you hit the Search button on the blue line above, and type in "invisible fencing". You will find a ton of information.


Please provide actually covenants or city / county law that prevents your dog from "running free" on your property ... tks.

[Didiwinbob]

Gosh it seems like we have alot of dog owners on this site but I feel we are restricted with regards to the dog's waste! Good Lord, the dogs need to relieve themselves, weather they do it in the yard, in the birdcage or the lani. Why does it have to be so hard. Dogs are wonderful companions. I would not have made it thus far without the assistance of a cannine buddy. If I have to fight to allow my dog to pee and poop on my property I will do it. Restrictions? Give me a break, look at the big picture, cannines keep us on this side of the looney bin. :-)

[btf2008]

The following is what the Sumter County Code says on leash laws:

County Code 4-10 states that all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property.

Otherwise a citation will be issued for the animal running free.

Wording up for interpretation as usual with legislation. Confined and Under Direct Control can mean many things to include NOT being on a leash. My dogs are trained and respond to my voice commands, i.e., Under Direct Control and won't leave the yard unless I tell them too, even to chase a squirrel. But "a leash when off the owners property" is black and white.

Bottom line...you're responsible for your dogs actions! So, if in doubt what your dog will do when your neighbor or neighbors dog is outside, contain them one way or another.

[Barefoot]

When your dog goes outside it must be on a leash. If you haven't been use to this (as we weren't), you get use to it soon.


Dogs cannot "run free" in your yard. They must either be on a leash at all times, or you will need to install invisible fencing. We use invisible fencing for our two dogs, 10 pounds and 70 pounds. That is a solution a lot of Village residents use.


This is not true. Your dog must only be on a leash if they are on "common property". Their are NO TV covenants or city / county laws that require you to have your dog on a leash on your property.

LndLocked .... You are absolutely correct. Dogs don't have to be leashed on your property, but they do need to be under your control and "confined". For a lot of people, this means leashes or invisible fencing. Dogs need to be well trained not to leave your property, or be supervised, but not necessarily tied. Sorry, I mispoke. :mornincoffee:

[bike42]

I was distinctly told by the Villages Management Property folks that there is a restriction of concrete vs. grass. Is this not true?


If you get your birdcage built along with your house, it must be done by T&D and they have specific rules about the (very small) amount of the surface that can be dirt instead of concrete.

However, if you build your birdcage AFTER YOU OWN the house, you can use any contractor and can design the interior any way you want. The contractor takes your design through the Architectural Review Committee process, where they look at the exterior only. They do not care what you do inside as long as it is structurally sound (i.e, you need a concrete footer under the base of the cage.)

We built a large birdcage with a beautiful garden inside, along with paving. Our dogs love it and so do we.