I don't understand the backyards in North Carolina - help please! (Clayton: hoa, houses)

[jeannie216]

Originally Posted by southward bound

For many of the reasons others cited, we also wanted a house with a fence. Seegars installed ours before we even moved in. They fenced the entire back yard, about 3/4 acre. It's wonderful. The dogs never "live" in the yard, just go in and out as needed, to train, and to play "ball" and get their exercise. They love to run huge circles in the yard. The fence keeps them in, and keeps other critters out. We don't get wild visitors from the neighborning fields and woods. HOA had no issue with our 6' fence.

We're responsible dog owners and try to be good, considerate neighbors. The fence helps in that respect. It keeps our dogs from running over with happy tails to say "hello" every time neighbors appear in the yard, or walkers go past, and certainly keeps them from barking at things that move beyond their field of vision. Plus, I love my privacy. I, too, can go out into the back yard in my jammies. And, if it's raining, I can wait for the pooches on my screened porch.

And, whoever said they must have grown up in a different world, I agree. Most of us grew up in a different world where we didn't have to keep our kids within eyesight all the time. Today, you don't dare let your kids play in the yard, front or back, or in the driveway, if you can't see them. It is a very different world with predators of a different kind.

I think fences can be attractive, or they can be unsightly. An attractive fence (for me) adds value to the property.

Here's a photo of only 1/2 of the yard. It's just as big in the other direction. It's a "doggie park" if friends want to bring their dog over for a romp and play session. Do you think it's "ugly"? No matter, since you don't live next door. Neighbors like the fence. We're lucky - they happen to be really nice neighbors and dog lovers as well.

That is a beautiful yard...do you mind if I ask you were you are? Jeannie

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by jeannie216

That is a beautiful yard...do you mind if I ask you were you are? Jeannie

Thank you. We're in Youngsville, Jeannie.

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by HOltmans

southward bound - how did my dog Brandy get into your backyard?? Seriously our sheltie looks just like yours!

Love the fence. We fenced our yard in, too, and we LOVE it. So do the dogs, and kids!

Nice to meet another Sheltie owner. Aren't they just the greatest?

[SunnyKayak]

I use the invisible fence and also own a sheltie. This is Indigo (named after her eye) she learn quick what the collar beep means and enjoys our backyard. We also have electronic door opener for her to go out on her free will.

[needhalc]

I agree about invisible fence, it is not enough. People need to be realistic about their animals...they may be sweet as pie to them, but some dogs are very aggressive and the owners need to realize that. My children & I were walking on public property..a walking path behind a yard, and a very large dog came flying at us, teeth out and very ready to rip us apart. We had no time to run so I just hid my daughter behind my body and was ready to be attacked. The dog did stop about 15 ft away at an invisible fence. It was a moment of sheer terror I will never forget...my kids and I both broke into tears we were so scared. The owner came out and just looked like "what happened"? There is no way that hadn't happened before. I still plan to turn them into the homeowners association.

If you have a dog, please get a fence.

[jeannie216]

Originally Posted by needhalc

I agree about invisible fence, it is not enough. People need to be realistic about their animals...they may be sweet as pie to them, but some dogs are very aggressive and the owners need to realize that. My children & I were walking on public property..a walking path behind a yard, and a very large dog came flying at us, teeth out and very ready to rip us apart. We had no time to run so I just hid my daughter behind my body and was ready to be attacked. The dog did stop about 15 ft away at an invisible fence. It was a moment of sheer terror I will never forget...my kids and I both broke into tears we were so scared. The owner came out and just looked like "what happened"? There is no way that hadn't happened before. I still plan to turn them into the homeowners association.

If you have a dog, please get a fence.

I tend to lean towards pro-fence myself. Being a dog owner, and not having a fence, at the moment, we have a dog who is very territorial, meaning walking down the street and meeting other animals, she pays little to no attention, but if a dog or stranger were to come in or near our yard, and she slipped out of the house, I wouldn't trust what she may be capable of...

[CaliBoy]

We'll be doing a fence ourselves once it's in the budget. On our 3/4 acre property that borders other like properties, I noticed that, without a fence, a truck is less hesitant about driving through our property to access the back yard of our neighbor's. Left some nice tire marks too. Upsetting. However, once we do put a fence in place, that won't happen anymore. Though we probably will not put in a full opaque fence like the previous photo, we'll probably put in a one of those country fences lined with shrubbery and trees.

[jeannie216]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy

We'll be doing a fence ourselves once it's in the budget. On our 3/4 acre property that borders other like properties, I noticed that, without a fence, a truck is less hesitant about driving through our property to access the back yard of our neighbor's. Left some nice tire marks too. Upsetting. However, once we do put a fence in place, that won't happen anymore. Though we probably will not put in a full opaque fence like the previous photo, we'll probably put in a one of those country fences lined with shrubbery and trees.

Caliboy, I hope he doesn't decide to leave tire marks on your new fence!

[Indigoblue]

That sounds very scary

Does your HOA (or anyone else's) have a rule disallowing invisible fences? Or disallowing invisible fences in front yards? We have some neighbors with invisible fences in their front yards. Talk about being startled while you're innocently walking along.

Originally Posted by needhalc

I agree about invisible fence, it is not enough. People need to be realistic about their animals...they may be sweet as pie to them, but some dogs are very aggressive and the owners need to realize that. My children & I were walking on public property..a walking path behind a yard, and a very large dog came flying at us, teeth out and very ready to rip us apart. We had no time to run so I just hid my daughter behind my body and was ready to be attacked. The dog did stop about 15 ft away at an invisible fence. It was a moment of sheer terror I will never forget...my kids and I both broke into tears we were so scared. The owner came out and just looked like "what happened"? There is no way that hadn't happened before. I still plan to turn them into the homeowners association.

If you have a dog, please get a fence.

[fester600]

Originally Posted by alice_61

That warning about bamboo is oh so true. Don't get the spreading kind!!!

Why should I not get the spreading kind of Bamboo? Don't I want the bamboo that I plan to come together?