Can My Dog Jump Over a 4 Foot Fence?

Yes. Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t even need a running start. I have an insane amount of natural athletic ability for a little guy. Raise the fence – I dare you.

If you have a small dog, you could potentially get away with a fence height of 4 feet. If you have a medium sized to large sized dog, then you will absolutely need a taller fence. Roughly 5-6 feet high should keep even the bounciest pups safe from escaping.

But also, it just depends.

It depends on variables like age, weight, behavior, personality, and pure jumping ability. This can’t be a one size fence fits all type of deal. You know your dog better than I do. I’m just giving you some general guidelines.

Disclaimer: The Can My Dog articles contain information based on the individual research and opinions of the author of the site – who just so happens to be a dog. How you utilize the information given is completely up to you. Proceed at your own risk.

Which Breeds Can Jump the Highest?

Shall we begin with the 4 springiest breeds of them all?

Here’s the top 4 jumpers:

Wolfhounds
Borzois
Ibizans
Greyhounds

As a matter of fact, the world record holder for height cleared is currently held by Feather the Greyhound at 6.29 feet.

Excuse me, what’s that now?

Feather cleared 6 feet?

Okay.

So, unless your dog is a world record setting Greyhound jumping bean, then you should be good to go with a fence height of 6 feet. Wow Feather, that’s some serious hops.

Aside from the 4 bouncy breeds mentioned above, some other notable fence jumpers are:

Rottweilers
Kelpies
Australian Cattle Dogs
Border Collies
German Shepherds

If your dog is any of the above breeds just go ahead with the industrial sized backyard fence implementation with a pinch of reinforced steel beams.

Oh, and good luck. 🙂

How to Dog Proof Any Fence

The only reason I’m telling you how to dog proof anything is for the safety of my fellow comrades. I don’t want any dog out there hurting themselves on the fence or surrounding props you have lying around the backyard.

Speaking of Props, Here is My FIRST TIP for Dog Proofing A Fence:

Remove any object that may be used by your dog as a launch pad. We’re smart and extremely resourceful. If your dog sees a plant pot perfectly adjusted in a corner of the fence, best believe they’ll be using that for a bit of elevated assistance.

Stacks of wood in the back yard? Don’t mind if I do, and thank you for the awesome new set of yard stairs.

What a lovely trashcan to further propel my leap over the top of the fence. Thanks again.

Oh, look, the humans left the fire pit chairs a little too close to the fence. Let’s see if we can make up the difference.

Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

Make sure there’s nothing around that could entice your dog to attempt the jump.

SECOND TIP for Dog Proofing a Fence:

Follow the tail, eh, I mean trail.

Follow the trail.

Find out exactly how your dog is getting over (or under) the fence.

Are they jumping the fence? Build a taller fence.

Are they digging under the fence? Place large rocks, partially buried, at the base of your fence.

Are they using lawn decorations to climb up and over the fence? Move the décor to another location.

First and foremost you must find out how your pup is escaping the backyard. You can’t implement any preventative initiatives before you pinpoint the means and modes of escaping travel.

THIRD TIP for Dog Proofing a Fence:

Don’t use the fenced in yard (or those terrible tiny fenced outdoor kennel things) as a means to contain your dog 24/7. We see this as a prison.

No need to sugar coat the truth here, people. If your dog thinks they’re trapped, they will find a means to escape. Or at least attempt it. Caged animals seek freedom.

It’s important to make the back yard a place your dog wants to spend time in. Never give them a reason to need to leave the safety of your fence.

Pro tip: Play with your dog back there. Give them good memories and fun times that they can associate with the fenced in yard.

They’ll want to stay there constantly if you can do this. Trust me here.

FOURTH TIP for Dog Proofing a Fence:

If we can’t see it, does it even exist?

What do I mean?

Restrict our view so we can’t see the neighbor’s cat strut by us like the cocky SOB we all know he is.

And don’t even get me started on the squirrels of the street. Quick little boogers. Ninjas, and they can’t be trusted.

If your dog sees these things, they must chase these things.

You have to understand this. It’s written into our DNA and cannot be altered or deleted. So, you have to help minimize the distractions.

The best way to accomplish this is by the type of fencing you choose. We can see straight through chain links, logs, and bars. Best to choose a vertical wooden fence with minimal gaps in between.

FIFTH AND FINAL TIP for Dog Proofing a Fence:

I’m bored. Are you bored?

Let’s blow the dress off of this yard and see what’s happening on the other side.

See what happened there?

Classic case of the grass is greener.

Boredom is definitely going to cause your dog to wonder and then wander.

Be sure to provide your dog with enough stimulation in the back yard that makes jumping the fence a mere fleeting thought.

Stimulating puzzle toys, exercise, play time, training sessions, treats, water, loves, hugs, and snugs. All the good things.

If we associate the back yard in a positive light like this, we’ll be a lot less likely to want to leave.

*Click this link to find out if your dog is bored.

Can They Get Their Paws in There?

Does your current fence allow for places your dog can anchor their feet into and climb up and over?

Sometimes jumping isn’t necessarily the issue, but climbing over is the real problem.

Again, chain link fences pose wonderful opportunities for the persistent dog to climb up.

Horizontal logs or boards are basically asking your escape artist of a dog to climb on up as well. It’s a dog ladder for all practical purposes, people.

Tall fences (6 feet tall on average) with vertical boards and minimal gaps in between are ideal and essentially escape proof. Like this one…

Conclusion

I want to leave you with this video of dogs jumping really high because it’s incredibly awesome.

And to answer your obvious question, no, I’m not in this video. Criminal, I know. I’m not much of a show off though, so maybe next time.

Until then, continue to Live, Love, Laugh, and Scratch our bellies often.

Love you guys,

JTB

P.S. If you’re new to this world, you may want to check out my Ultimate Guide for First Time Dog Parents. It’s a great reference to get you started on this journey.