Fence Guidelines
Golden Bond Rescue has three guidelines with respect to fencing:
- The yard or portion of the yard used by the retriever must be completely enclosed by fencing that is at least 5-feet.
- A fenced-in kennel run cannot substitute for a fenced yard.
- An in-ground electric fence is unacceptable. There will be absolutely no exceptions to this type of fencing.
Each of these is expanded upon below.
The Fenced Yard
The purpose of the fenced area is to guarantee a secure and safe outdoor area for your retriever to get exercise. It is not intended to be where the dog lives or spends most of his time. A satisfactory fence can be wood, chain-link or sturdy welded wire. A five foot or higher fence is preferred; lower fences may limit the foster or adopter to older dogs or dogs known by Golden Bond Rescue not to jump fences of any height.
The Home Visit volunteer will check your fenced area to ensure it is safe and secure.
Although we prefer fences, we do make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Please email us at info@goldenbondrescue.com with any questions before applying to foster or adopt.
Kennel Runs
Kennels or dog runs are not approved for retrievers as they are, in general, simply not large enough to satisfy the goal of the fenced area: sufficient room to play and exercise safely. In addition, since kennel runs often have concrete floors, Golden Bond Rescue is concerned that the retriever(s) could be left on a hard surface for too long; dogs can even injure themselves by clawing at the fence and/or floor.
In-Ground Fencing
In-ground fencing doesn’t work with many dogs, and even fails for dogs accustomed to it when the incentive (e.g., a deer, cat or squirrel) on the other side of the “fence” is sufficient. There will be absolutely no exceptions to this type of fencing.
A Final Note
Golden Bond Rescue’s philosophy is that retrievers are very social animals and need to be with you to be happy and well adjusted. We do not place our rescue retrievers into homes where they are “outside dogs” as we consider retrievers “family members with fur.”
Many of our retrievers have been abused and/or neglected and frequently come with emotional baggage. Through experience, we have determined that retrievers adjust more quickly to their new home and are much happier when left inside the house when their owners are away from home. We will not place a dog in a home where it will be placed in an outside kennel, yard, or garage when unsupervised. Access from the house to the yard via a doggy door is acceptable.