[Fuzzyjourneyfan]

This is my first time posting, so I hope that I am doing it correctly. We would like to move to The Villages by summer. We have two small (15 pounds each) dogs. We would like to get a house with a large birdcage to keep them safe from wild animals. I think that they would probably tear up the screen if they saw something interesting in the backyard. What do pet owners do to avoid this problem? Is there something waterproof that we could put up against the screen?

[tophcfa]

Easiest question I have ever responded to. Train them properly.

[Two Bills]

I have read on previous threads, that Lowes sell some screening that is raccoon proof.
Lining the bottom 2-4 feet of your lanai with it will probably stop your dogs from destroying present screen from inside.
However, two small dogs alone in lanai may encourage raccoons, bobcats, to try their luck from the outside, and they can rip open lanais.
Six of one, half dozen of the other!

[JSR22]

I have 2 dogs and a good size birdcage. They are never in the birdcage by themselves. We have squirrels that run over the top of the birdcage and ducks come to look in because we have a pool. I have never seen any other animals. I would never leave them alone I do not think it is safe.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

I have read on previous threads, that Lowes sell some screening that is raccoon proof.
Lining the bottom 2-4 feet of your lanai with it will probably stop your dogs from destroying present screen from inside.
However, two small dogs alone in lanai may encourage raccoons, bobcats, to try their luck from the outside, and they can rip open lanais.
Six of one, half dozen of the other!

Raccoons?

[villagetinker]

There is a product called PET SCREEN, we have this installed in the lower portions of out lanai and birdcage. It is a much heavier designed screen and is supposed to withstand a 20 pound (or more?) cat climbing it with no damage. There is also a few companies that do screen replacement, so you should be able to have the existing screens replaced with pet screen.

[PugMom]

personally, i'd never leave a pet out by itself/themselves. too many predators or other critters that may be interesting to your dogs.

[Gulfcoast]

This is why we are looking at a CYV. Our dogs are bigger and we know that they need an enclosed yard to run around in. If there was a squirrel or a duck sitting right outside of a screen I know that they would scratch the screen.

We've lived in an apartment where we had to walk the dogs on leash every time they needed to go outside and it was good exercise but also pretty time consuming.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

This is why we are looking at a CYV. Our dogs are bigger and we know that they need an enclosed yard to run around in. If there was a squirrel or a duck sitting right outside of a screen I know that they would scratch the screen.

We've lived in an apartment where we had to walk the dogs on leash every time they needed to go outside and it was good exercise but also pretty time consuming.

The Villages has been building designer/ranch homes with fences south of 466A. They are a good alternative to a courtyard villa. To each his own...

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by topspinmo

raccoons?

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by justjim

The Villages has been building designer/ranch homes with fences south of 466A. They are a good alternative to a courtyard villa. To each his own...

We're planning to seriously look at the new designer ranch homes with fences, too. At this point, we know we need a fence, we want an easy maintenance yard and we would prefer to be within walking distance to a town square or at least a clubhouse or shopping center w/dining options.

Our dogs are energetic but not barkers/yappers or escape artists so they are o.k. to be let outside alone in a fenced in yard for short stretches.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

We're planning to seriously look at the new designer ranch homes with fences, too. At this point, we know we need a fence, we want an easy maintenance yard and we would prefer to be within walking distance to a town square or at least a clubhouse or shopping center w/dining options.

Our dogs are energetic but not barkers/yappers or escape artists so they are o.k. to be let outside alone in a fenced in yard for short stretches.

Please be careful leaving your dog outside alone. We do have predators that will jump the fence, or walk along the top looking for a snack. We had a bobcat walk thru our yard couple of times last week

[Fuzzyjourneyfan]

We didn't plan on leaving them alone. I would like to build an area for them to go to the bathroom in the birdcage. We will take them on walks, of course, too, but that isn't always possible.

[Fuzzyjourneyfan]

The pet screen product is a great idea! Thanks for the reply.

[tophcfa]

This thread blows my mind. Why is the overwhelming solution getting some kind of dog proof screen instead of taking the responsibility to properly train your dog. Our dog would never damage a screen, and we use exclusively positive reinforcement to train our little girl.