OK...I tend to be very wordy so I will apologize up front but I think details can sometimes help.......We have 5 dogs total (3 that have been around a while and know the routine and 2 puppies under 10mnths)
We have two fenced areas. One fenced section of the immediate back yard with access to the covered back porch and lots of room to play. This yard opens into a larger fenced yard of about 3 acres with both open area and plenty of shade, water, dog house, etc.
We have been keeping the puppies in the smaller yard and the older dogs down in the larger section (the "bottom" as we call it) during the day when I am at work and my husband is sleeping. (he works nights)
One of our dogs, a West Highland White Terrier, has dug holes under the fence in each of the yards and comes and goes as he pleases but never leaves our 5 acres. The other older dogs have never tried to leave the yard. However, when let into the larger yard for extra excercise, the puppies discovered that they could fit through Oliver's holes. Once this discovery was made, all He#@ broke loose and the puppies began to constantly look for some means of escape. Our solution, and last resort after several plugs, wire, cement, red pepper.....etc. was the electric fence. We put a single wire around the perrimeter about 4 to 5 inches from the ground. It works like a charm......sort of.
The puppies were bumped a couple of times each and now do not dig or play directly by the fence. We have even let them start staying down in the bottom with the older dogs, which they love!!
Now the problem......two of the older dogs, our 3 yrs old GSP and our Setter are beside themselves!! The Setter more than the other. They stand at the gate looking up at the house and cry all day! They used to race to the bottom each morning excited about the day and now I have to literally drag them down there. The GSP will reluctantly play with the puppies if they get in his face enough but the Setter does not play at all and will only leave the gate area to go potty. I thought it would just take a couple of days for her to get used to it but it has been a week and she is still firmly planted by the gate. We have put her on a check cord and walked her throught the area to show her that it is ok but that doesn't seem to have helped.....
Can anyone offer any advice on how to resolve this issue? |