Dogs jump fences for many reasons. Mostly, they jump because they are seeking the company of another dog or a friendly person. They also go over the fence in pursuit of cats and squirrels. Some dogs jump the fence only to run around to the front of the house and sit on the porch. Unneutered dogs will jump fences to find amour. Dogs will jump fences to re-mark territory that was marked the day before on a walk with you. Some dogs, sensitive to a restriction of their freedom, will jump to release the stress that captivity produces.

Most dogs will jump a fence when the owner is not home. So, you must become a detective and try to find out when, where, and why your dog is going over. For the dog who jumps over the fence, runs around the house and scratches on the front door to get in, a pet door is the best solution, giving this dog easy access from the fenced yard whenever he feels the urge to go inside.

If your detective work has told you the "where" of your dog’s jumping, then the best solution is to do one of the following things. Increase the height of the fence in that area. Erect an inner, shorter fence two feet from the outside fence. This will interrupt a running start. Plant a three foot shrubbery moat in front of the fence. Nail one-foot-long strips of wood to the fence posts at a forty-five degree angle into the yard and tie a rope all along the tips of these angled strips. Dogs will usually balance on top of a fence and push off from there. The rope barrier will stop that. Finally, you can fit your dog to a harness that loops around his rear legs and inhibits jumping.

If you know the "when," then you can prepare to interrupt his preparation for jumping by blasting a horn or blowing a whistle followed by a firm "NO JUMP!" Remember to praise him when he stops. If he is in mid-jump, try spraying him with water from a hose. Hide outside the fence and try not to let him see you with the hose. The goal is to let him think that the environment, not his loving caregiver, gave him the squirt. The hosing-down will put him on alert for what might happen every time he attempts a jump.

Eliminate some of the reasons, the "why," for jumping by leaving him in the house, instead. Do not allow him to urine mark territory close to your home. This way, other dogs will not be attracted to leave their mark, eliminating the need for your dog to jump the fence to re-mark. If you have not done so already, get him neutered. Since one of the major reasons for jumping is boredom and loneliness, take him with you or leave him with a dogsitter.