How to Keep Your Dog Safe in the Backyard
While it seems like a no-brainer, not many pet owners know a simple way to keep their dogs safe from intruders in the backyard. This simple little device will prevent most dogs from escaping the backyard. Drum roll please: place a simple lock on each fence gate.
I Learned The Hard Way
Many years ago, I was sitting in the backyard with both of my dogs when I noticed someone slowly walking up to our front fence gate. Apparently, this person didn’t see me sitting in the backyard brushing one of my dogs, which was a good thing. Once I noticed the stranger approaching, things happened really quickly.
My other dog bounced over to the fence gate to greet this strange man and, before I could say a peep, this stranger tried to open the gate. Well, the latch was a bit rusty and wouldn’t budge, so he started kicking the gate to open it! By this time, I shook off the initial shock and started screaming and running toward the gate. This well-dressed middle-aged man, wearing a crisp white dress shirt and dark jeans, ran toward the front of our home. As I rounded the corner, I noticed he was jumping into a white pickup truck with several different sized dog crates in the truck bed. My heart dropped.
As the man sped away, I gathered both dogs indoors and then called the police. My brain was racing and just shocked at what had happened. Once the policeman arrived, I explained the event in detail. And no, I didn’t memorize his license plate. I wished with everything I had I remembered.
The policeman delicately explained that several dogs within a 10-mile radius of our home had gone missing from their backyards over the last couple of weeks. Clutching my throat, I asked why someone would do such a thing. The policeman said thieves are stealing and selling dogs to animal laboratories in the next county. I’ll never forget the next words that cautiously fell from his mouth: “Buy a lock and keep all gates locked at all times.” I still live by these words every day.
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How to Purchase the Right Fence Gate Lock
Your lock doesn’t need to be fancy, but it definitely needs to be sturdy. I prefer a huge combination lock, which I lock from the inside of our backyard. By keeping the lock inside and facing toward your home, you’ll prevent thieves from trying to remove the lock. When pest control or lawn care companies need access to your backyard, place the lock on the front of the gate, so they can easily unlock to enter and lock upon leaving. When you get home, move the lock inside the gate.
Key locks are nice, but many pet owners mistakenly keep the key either in the lock or next to it. Yes, you can install a camera right over the fence gate too, but a camera will not immediately stop an intruder from stealing your dog. Purchase a good lock for each fence gate; write the combination down and keep it indoors. A lock will also prevent wind from blowing fence gates open and is a way to make sure gates are closed at all times. No one remembers to close the gate.
Another Thing That Saved My Dogs
I was outdoors with them. If I were not there to intervene immediately, this creep would’ve opened the gate and stole my dogs. As of this day, regardless of the temperature outside, snow or rain, my husband or I am always outdoors with our dogs. While I was extremely lucky my dogs were safe, I learned a valuable lesson the hard way. I wish someone had shared this tip with me 17 years ago.
Now, go buy a lock and install it today and keep it locked at all times! 🙂
