Hi! I'm Ginny - I haven't done an intro post yet but I will. I have a little issue that I hope you guys can help me with. First let me say that I've had Siberian Huskies for the last 14 years. Our female passed away last Jan and we added two more to our pack last fall. So we have a total of three huskies, our old boy Kobi, our puppy Loki (red/white in the picture) and a young female rescue named Dakota. She's the reason for the post.
We've been in our house with a nice big back yard for the past 12 years. We've got chicken wire at the base of all of the 6' fences to keep the dogs from digging under and none of them have ever tried to climb out... until now. So my question is, do any of you have any tips for husky proofing our yard? They're inside during the day and they're microchipped but I don't feel like our back yard is secure any more....
Thanks!
GInny

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What is the fence made out of? If it's a wood fence, is there a way to add to the top of it, or is it more of a picket or metal deal?

If you're able to add to the top of it, I would recommend adding something between 6" - 12" that inverts or slopes back in towards the yard. Something like this if you were looking at it from the side:

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They won't be able to climb an angle like that. If you can't add to the top, you could line the inside of the fence with wire that is shaped in the same inverted manner.

Bad huskies! lol. Is that the only place they try to escape? Here's one idea:


It's called a coyote bar, but like Sam will tell you, some huskies can get climb over them!

It is a wooden fence with pickets. The problem is the retaining wall - Dakota climbs it like its a staircase and uses the chicken wire on the split rail fence to pull herself up...

You could always put a hot wire around the fence. Like the one for horses and it will shock them if the touch it. Probably won't fix the problem 100%, but it will probably make them think twice! I know when I laid my arm on one I jumped!

SaraB wrote:

Bad huskies! lol. Is that the only place they try to escape? Here's one idea:
It's called a coyote bar, but like Sam will tell you, some huskies can get climb over them!

Nope not the only place. She got out last night - there was a vine or branch or something on the outside of the gate and she pulled on it until the gate came open. This one is going to be trouble....

Can you add a piece of wood to the area the dog is looking over like so

iceblulady wrote:

Can you add a piece of wood to the area the dog is looking over like so

I think that's the plan. Hubby says he doesn't want to do an electric wire so we'll have to rig that spot somehow.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Escape artist husky Mom at your service!

The lean in fence is definitely the best bet if you don't want to go electric - which, btw, I've had my hand on a few times and is pretty minor.
Here's a good example from a wolfdog sanctuary (yes, my crazy husky had me researching wolf containment systems): - source: http://yamnuska.therueproject.com/resources/containment/

Here is a tutorial on the coyote rollers:
http://www.huskycamp.com/security.htm

Use PVC, not ABS. You can put it up on that place she's standing on so that she can't stand on it. Or just close up the fence above where she's standing so she can't get out. If you use chain link, use the small one she can't get her paws into to climb. Non-climbing horse fence. Apparently you can't see it clearly from far away, so it wouldn't make your yard look like a prison. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202025614&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=202025614&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D22X-_-202025614

Lastly, if she's new - she may just need time to realize this is her home. If it's high energy making her do this, she may need an extra walk with a backpack full of water bottles to tire her out.

hollywoodhuskies wrote:

Lastly, if she's new - she may just need time to realize this is her home. If it's high energy making her do this, she may need an extra walk with a backpack full of water bottles to tire her out.

This is great info, thanks! It may be time for a second walk everyday too, although it's more her prey drive that has her going nuts. There are critters on the other side of that fence! There was a big turtle walking around back there the other day and it was driving her crazy that she couldn't get to the noise.

vtomlinson wrote:

hollywoodhuskies wrote:

Lastly, if she's new - she may just need time to realize this is her home. If it's high energy making her do this, she may need an extra walk with a backpack full of water bottles to tire her out.

This is great info, thanks! It may be time for a second walk everyday too, although it's more her prey drive that has her going nuts. There are critters on the other side of that fence! There was a big turtle walking around back there the other day and it was driving her crazy that she couldn't get to the noise.

Hmmm...that's something completely different then. The tiring her out will definitely take the "edge off" but if she has a high enough prey drive you'll need to definitely reinforce the fence with the lean-in method. Good luck! BTW - we have the Ruff wear backpacks : http://www.backcountryk9.com/199/0/Products.aspx It fits 1 liter of water in the bladders and stands up really well on our hikes.

Thank you!