Moving to farm with dog

SaddlePsych'D

SaddlePsych'D

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Probably being overcautious because that tends to be my way...

We need to move from our current rental and have an opportunity to rent on one of the farms next to the village where longer term we would like to buy. One of the farms is likely a no because they have cats and they weren't keen to have a Greyhound on site. There's no enclosed garden and I think it could get quite stressful trying to manage that because she has definitely shown interest in chasing cats (although I do think one bop on the nose from one and she probably would back down!)

The other farm looks more hopeful. No cats as far as I'm aware. Good start! It's a sheep farm so there's obviously lots of those, working dogs (who I have been told are nice natured and well trained), and chickens. Ivy has never shown interest in chasing sheep or birds. We've walked in fields with lambs (long line at all times) and she just didn't seem to really register that they were there. We would never test her off lead though, it is just not worth the risk to the sheep or to her.

The garden of the rental is fenced/walled with a low post and rail fence along one side and sheep on the other side of it. There's sheep/stock wire fence along it too. I'm just thinking for peace of mind to ask if we could put some temporary fencing/trellis to bring the height up, at our cost and in a way which we could remove at the end of the tenancy.

Does that seem reasonable/sensible?
 
Pop an electric fence with plastic posts up inside the fence & run 3 - 4 lines of tape. If your greyhound is half as wimpy as our old whippet was one zap will sort any excitement
 
CorvusCorax said:
My front wall is low enough for a dog to jump over, I just use a 10m flexi for safety. If it's only temporary that might be easier. I don't just let dogs out in the garden unaccompanied anyway.
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Would also not leave her outside unaccompanied. We could do on long lead only in the garden too. I suppose we could end up being there a while and I feel guilty about her not having so much off lead time (mostly injury/rehab related), even just to mooch about. But then at one point I was thinking we'd have to look at flats to rent because there's not much around so I guess we just have to make it work whatever we do.
 
AmyMay Again said:
I'm lucky that my garden is totally secure. I can't imagine not being able to have the doors open in the summer. I think it would be hugely restrictive for the dog to only be able to be outside on a lead.
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I don't love it either but finding somewhere to rent that will take a dog is challenging enough, leaving aside the farm/sheep thing.

As soon as we can find a place to buy in the village (good size secure garden very much on the wishlist!) we'll be there :)
 
AmyMay Again said:
I'm lucky that my garden is totally secure. I can't imagine not being able to have the doors open in the summer. I think it would be hugely restrictive for the dog to only be able to be outside on a lead.
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Well, we all have different ideas about things, and my step count says otherwise :)
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
Would also not leave her outside unaccompanied. We could do on long lead only in the garden too. I suppose we could end up being there a while and I feel guilty about her not having so much off lead time (mostly injury/rehab related), even just to mooch about. But then at one point I was thinking we'd have to look at flats to rent because there's not much around so I guess we just have to make it work whatever we do.
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Honestly if you have a long enough line and exercise her properly there's not going to be that much of a difference.

Also the stakes are a bit higher when you've got a sighthound on a farm with stock (or a GSD when all your neighbours have cats) rather than a small dog in a private garden with no risk.
 
We kept 2 Rottweilers off part of the garden with electric fencing. They made sure that any visiting dogs were made aware of the danger, too.
Before anybody panics, we also had 6' fencing, the bottom of it buried because they did dig under when it was new.
 
Gonzo said:
Pop an electric fence with plastic posts up inside the fence & run 3 - 4 lines of tape. If your greyhound is half as wimpy as our old whippet was one zap will sort any excitement
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Mine got one zap about 3 years ago and doesnt go within 6ft of any sort of electric looking fence!
 
If it helps, it was years before our rescue dog regularly came off firstly a double lead and then a long line in the garden (and we still don't walk him off-lead unless in a secure dog field).

It was absolutely fine and far better than the alternative of him getting out. It's also what we'd had to have done if we lived in a flat.

It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Good luck :)
 
MuddyMonster said:
If it helps, it was years before our rescue dog regularly came off firstly a double lead and then a long line in the garden (and we still don't walk him off-lead unless in a secure dog field).

It was absolutely fine and far better than the alternative of him getting out. It's also what we'd had to have done if we lived in a flat.

It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Good luck :)
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To be fair, since Ive had the youngest Ive only lived in one place with a garden so all loo breaks were on a lead. All his walks tend to be off lead so they get plenty of free time. It never really occured to me to think it might be an issue.
 
We've had a lovely message this morning from the farm, it seems like we're more worried about the sheep thing than they are 😂 They have said we can do what we need for the fence and previous people have done similar.

Looks like it's a go! Also happens to be the farm we're having our wedding so massive plus there too 😁
 
Clodagh said:
That sounds perfect. My lot are never in the garden unattended but I do have a very secure yard they can mooch in.
Enjoy!
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I'm so excited!

Will have to have a think of fencing things. We have some panels like these https://www.conkauk.co.uk/products/...-0f66aZlC_W6tDnHgfvNAUINLnLI01UAaAl4xEALw_wcB (from a lovely HHO'er helping us out just before we got Ivy)

Could get more of those and put some tall posts in. Or they said previous people had used bamboo roll. Or could do another layer of stock wire above the current fence height?

Just been over that way for a walk with Ivy. Lots of sheep have moved elsewhere so we didn't walk past any but did stop in a gateway to see some. It took Ivy ages to realise they were even there, vaguely looked at them a bit then went back to looking for bits of sticky weed to eat. Will still be overcautious but still good to see she isn't all that fussed anyway.
 
Generally dogs are all fine while the sheep just ‘sheep’ but it took mine time to not get stimulated when they ran. We rarely saw them in Essex.
I know you’ll be careful anyway. My lurcher was absolutely steady to sheep but would have chased a rabbit or hare through the flock without a second thought 😄
 
If my experience with one of my labrador dogs who came to us at three years old with an extremely high prey drive I would not risk it for one moment. Some will remember the cost and Alcatraz fencing we had to put in around our main dog's paddock to keep her safely contained, it worked when we eventually got it right. But still for a couple of years it was very, very risky to even think of her out there without being supervised just in case she managed to escape and plunder wild life and farm animals.

Luckily now she is older and unfortunately has health issues we have been able to take Alcatraz down and now just use normal 4 foot high fencing, but if you are confident you can keep her contained hopefully it will work out OK.
 
Clodagh said:
Generally dogs are all fine while the sheep just ‘sheep’ but it took mine time to not get stimulated when they ran. We rarely saw them in Essex.
I know you’ll be careful anyway. My lurcher was absolutely steady to sheep but would have chased a rabbit or hare through the flock without a second thought 😄
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The lambs were bombing about a bit and she didn't seem to notice that, but agree that would be the higher risk trigger.

If it were a load of deer it would have been a different story! She still 'asks' to do routes on walks which she saw deer on months ago.

Squirrels are almost old news now but sure she would chase one given the chance. When we first got her she used to absolutely lose the plot at our local park which was full of them.

If a cat is seen disappearing into a bush, it will forevermore be checked at every passing. Just in case. Thankfully sheep don't seem to be too high on her list of interest.

Mrs Jingle said:
If my experience with one of my labrador dogs who came to us at three years old with an extremely high prey drive I would not risk it for one moment. Some will remember the cost and Alcatraz fencing we had to put in around our main dog's paddock to keep her safely contained, it worked when we eventually got it right. But still for a couple of years it was very, very risky to even think of her out there without being supervised just in case she managed to escape and plunder wild life and farm animals.

Luckily now she is older and unfortunately has health issues we have been able to take Alcatraz down and now just use normal 4 foot high fencing, but if you are confident you can keep her contained hopefully it will work out OK.
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Definitely will not be taking any risks! Hopefully we won't need Alcatraz. I did see Ivy try to go for a cat over a 6ft fence and she was nowhere near. What did Alcatraz involve?
 
Clodagh said:
Generally dogs are all fine while the sheep just ‘sheep’ but it took mine time to not get stimulated when they ran. We rarely saw them in Essex.
I know you’ll be careful anyway. My lurcher was absolutely steady to sheep but would have chased a rabbit or hare through the flock without a second thought 😄
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Same, the youngest working dog can and has worked round sheep, although hes always on his lead around them the rest of the time. The non working dog though, would be an absolute menace, despite being fine with my own pet sheep. Theres something about a flock of sheep running that blows his brains. The other one just couldnt care less.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
What did Alcatraz involve?
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Everything, every damn thing we could throw at it! 😂 Firstly there was normal dog proof fencing at about four feet, wire mesh with sturdy wooden posts and secondary triple inner line of electric tape, she soon just bust through that and scrambled up and over. Often got tangled in the top line but just screamed and yelped and carried on until she wriggled free, how that tape never wrapped around her and cut through to the bone I will never know. Extended top of fence by two feet and made not a jot of difference.

Eventually after lots of suggestions on here, including telling me what a useless old woman I was and should just get rid of the dog to a decent suitable home (I kid you not!🤬) my son created a two foot over hang at the top that sloped inwards. It did work, but she would still do her best to scramble over from time to time, so again always supervised just in case she actually made it out and over the top. But I have to say she was exceptionally high drive, and a confirmed runner, the worse I have ever owned but such a sweet and loving little dog we are now very glad we persevered, I suspect she would have been long since euthanised by most so not something we would go through again but I don't recommend it.🙂
 
Mrs Jingle said:
Everything, every damn thing we could throw at it! 😂 Firstly there was normal dog proof fencing at about four feet, wire mesh with sturdy wooden posts and secondary triple inner line of electric tape, she soon just bust through that and scrambled up and over. Often got tangled in the top line but just screamed and yelped and carried on until she wriggled free, how that tape never wrapped around her and cut through to the bone I will never know. Extended top of fence by two feet and made not a jot of difference.

Eventually after lots of suggestions on here, including telling me what a useless old woman I was and should just get rid of the dog to a decent suitable home (I kid you not!🤬) my son created a two foot over hang at the top that sloped inwards. It did work, but she would still do her best to scramble over from time to time, so again always supervised just in case she actually made it out and over the top. But I have to say she was exceptionally high drive, and a confirmed runner, the worse I have ever owned but such a sweet and loving little dog we are now very glad we persevered, I suspect she would have been long since euthanised by most so not something we would go through again but I don't recommend it.🙂
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Holy moly!
 
Mrs Jingle said:
Everything, every damn thing we could throw at it! 😂 Firstly there was normal dog proof fencing at about four feet, wire mesh with sturdy wooden posts and secondary triple inner line of electric tape, she soon just bust through that and scrambled up and over. Often got tangled in the top line but just screamed and yelped and carried on until she wriggled free, how that tape never wrapped around her and cut through to the bone I will never know. Extended top of fence by two feet and made not a jot of difference.

Eventually after lots of suggestions on here, including telling me what a useless old woman I was and should just get rid of the dog to a decent suitable home (I kid you not!🤬) my son created a two foot over hang at the top that sloped inwards. It did work, but she would still do her best to scramble over from time to time, so again always supervised just in case she actually made it out and over the top. But I have to say she was exceptionally high drive, and a confirmed runner, the worse I have ever owned but such a sweet and loving little dog we are now very glad we persevered, I suspect she would have been long since euthanised by most so not something we would go through again but I don't recommend it.🙂
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Oh wow! I remember you telling me about this when I had trouble with one of mine jumping out!
@SaddlePsych'D I could lend you a cat who would solve the issue, The dog would probably run the other way! Go for it though, Living on a farm in the middle of no where is lovely.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Oh wow! I remember you telling me about this when I had trouble with one of mine jumping out!
@SaddlePsych'D I could lend you a cat who would solve the issue, The dog would probably run the other way! Go for it though, Living on a farm in the middle of no where is lovely.
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I am incredibly excited about the living on a farm thing. I have to kind of hold it in a bit. When we visited during lambing I got to hold a lamb and I genuinely squealed with happiness the second we got home 😂
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
I am incredibly excited about the living on a farm thing. I have to kind of hold it in a bit. When we visited during lambing I got to hold a lamb and I genuinely squealed with happiness the second we got home 😂
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Its amazing. We dont have animals here but the endless off road dog walking and all that comes with it is just lovely. We are currently looking at doing the reverse move sadly!
 
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