How high should a dog fence be for a lab? Labs are able to jump fences as high as five feet tall. So you need to build a fence at least 2 feet higher than your dog can jump. Let us look at why labs jump and what kind of fence will work for them.
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Labradors are a very intelligent, energetic, and active breed. They love playing around freely and don’t like being in one place all the time. You would probably want your dog to run around in the yard sometimes. Of course, you need to ensure your dog does not jump over the fence.
As we all know, dogs love exploring the world and finding ways to move out of the house. So you need to install a pretty high fence, so it is difficult for your dog to climb.
So how high should a dog fence be for a lab? Since labs can reach about 24″ in height and can jump as high as four to five feet, you need to build a fence at least 2 feet more than that. A 6-7 feet high fence will be sufficient.
Let us look further into why your lab may jump over a fence and understand the reasons and look at ways to keep your lab from escaping.
Why Would Your Lab Jump Over A Fence?
Poor training, or chasing after other things are the usual culprits.
If you feed your dog well and take care of them, they will never try to run away from you. Your dog will love you and will always have your back. But sometimes, your dog may get distracted by something in your yard and try to chase after it.
They are more likely to jump over a fence if they are not appropriately trained. Let us look at reasons why your dog may jump over your fence.
Curiosity
Generally, labs are a curious breed. You might have noticed your lab sitting at one place and staring at the fence. They might be wondering what’s happening or what can be on the other side of the fence. This may want them to jump over the fence.
Sometimes your lab may be waiting for a stranger who treats him every day and may want to look for him if they don’t show up someday.
Your Dog May Not be Getting Enough Exercise
Labradors are the most energetic dogs around, but despite being the most popular dog in the US, they might not be physically fit for most dogs’ average energy level.
If you do not take your dog for a walk and play with them regularly, they may become hyperactive. A hyperactive lab may jump over the fence and run in search of some adventure and fun.
Your Dog May Be Bored
Imagine yourself sitting in one place for a long time without your phone or anything fun. You will probably get bored. Similarly, dogs get bored too!! If your lab is sitting in one place all day and there is no one to play with or bark at, he will go crazy.
They May Jump Over The Fence To Meet Or Chase Something
Labs are friendly to every stranger and other dogs around them. They love meeting new people and dogs. If they find other dogs around the yard or on the other side, they may try to jump over the fence to meet them. When a lab smells something or sees it and wants it, they will try everything to get it.
Things You Need To Consider When Buying A Fence For Your Lab
People who have big dogs with a lot of energy know how hard it is to keep them contained. After all, many dogs love chasing the squirrels around the neighborhood or chasing cars passing by. So if you have a big and energetic dog, you need to choose the fence carefully before adding it to your yard.
Height
Labradors are big (almost 24 inches tall) and need tall fences as they can jump over them easily. Usually, for most breeds, a six feet high fence is sufficient.
Some people first build a small fence, and when their lab learns to jump over it, they start adding extensions. However, to the dog, it may appear like a game or a challenge, and it will try to jump higher each time! It is better to make a taller fence from the get-go, or else if you are increasing the height then add atleast two to three feet together.
Make It Deeper
When building a fence, you need to consider the depth too. Extending the fence at least 18 inches into the ground is better to prevent your lab from digging underneath and getting out.
Fence Type
You need to choose a fence that is impossible for your lab to climb. No matter how high a fence is, intelligent labs will somehow find ways to climb up. So when you look for a fence, make sure it is climb-proof. It should have a smooth surface.
Chain-linked fences are not a good option unless you extend to as high as 8 feet and make a curve at the top. This is because labs can easily stick their paws and climb up these fences.
One interesting option is invisible fences. These are essentially high-frequency noise generating machines that will create a noise that the dog will respond to every time it tries to cross the boundary. For this kind of fence to work, you have to train the dog very well. But once the dog is trained, you don’t have to worry about things like height or material.
Privacy
This may seem funny as dogs do not care about privacy. But we all know that they love chasing squirrels and butterflies. So you need to keep your lab from seeing squirrels on the other side of the fence.
A solid panel fence made of wood or vinyl will help as it will help your dog from seeing what’s on the other side of the fence. This will even keep him calm.
How Do You Train Your Lab To Not Jump Over The Fence?
Labs are generally easy to train. You can follow this routine to train them not to jump.
Make Them Walk and Exercise
Though it is not reasonable to stop a lab from jumping over the fence if they do not get enough exercise, these highly-energetic dogs need a lot of running and playtime. You can take your dog for a walk regularly. An excellent physical and mental regimen will help your lab use up all the energy and not get bored.
Treat Good Behavior
Your lab may look at the fence and show other signs when they are thinking about jumping the fence. You can have a watch at your lab closely and look at signs of him jumping over the fence.
When you notice these signs, you can tell them to go inside the house and give them a treat when they comply. This will show them that not jumping is considered good behavior.
Reduce Your Lab’s Exposure To Seeing Things On The Other Side
If your lab keeps seeing things on the other side of the fence and wants to get it, you will have difficulty training your lab. To prevent this, you need to reorganize your yard and build a fence to prevent your dog from getting distracted.
Answers To Other Common Questions
How High Can A Labrador Jump?
Labs can jump up to 3-5 feet high or even more with a boost. If a fence has holes or spaces, the lab can stick its paws and climb up more easily.
What Size Yard Does A Dog Need?
For an average size dog, 2500 square feet of space is sufficient. The amount of space a dog requires depends on its size and energy level.
Labradors are an energetic breed and it would be good if you can spare a lot of space for them. If not, taking them outside regularly to a nearby trail or park would be a good idea.
Final Thoughts
So how high should a dog fence be for a lab?
It is advisable to have at least a 6 feet high fence for your lab. At this height, your lab won’t be able to jump over the fence, though he may try climbing it.
You need to create a safe and friendly place for your dog and build the correct type of fence for your dog, so he cannot escape it. Make sure to build the fence with the right height and materials.
Thank you for reading this article, we hope we answered everything you wanted to know. If not, let us know in the comment section below. Do read some of our other articles about labs such as How to Potty Train a Labrador Puppy and When Do Labradoodles Calm Down. Do read them to learn more about your loyal friend.