Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Hi there.  I have decided to try to build a dog run on our mountain property in the Catskills this spring.  I have no idea how to go about this. I would ideally like it to be between 1/2 an acre to one acre large.  Here's my question:

What would this entail given these specifics:  Our land is hilly, rocky, uneven and tree-dense. I don't want to clear any trees - I'm hoping there is a way to put the fencing from tree-to tree, leaving the land within the running space in it's natural state (lots of trees and rock formations).

Does anyone have opinions on what type of materials I would need in order to attempt his?  The fencing would have to be around 6 feet high because Herman (Coonhound-mix) can practically climb a 5-foot fence and he is only 8 months old.

Any advice greatly appreciated.  Hope you're all well today. New York is a frigid zone....

Hi, everybody.  I'm Lena.  I'm from New York and I am a fairly new mommy to Herman.  Herman is an 8-month-old mixed breed hound.  There's no way to be sure of his breed, but he looks to be some type of black & tan coonhound/shepherd/mountain dog/something-or-other.  I adopted Herman from a rescue organization when he was 7 weeks old.  (I also have a 7-year old Corgi-shep named Ellie and 2 cats.)  Me and my husband are musicians.  We live in an average-sized apartment in Queens, New York and we also have a cabin and some land in the Catskill mountains which we frequent from spring thru autumn.

Herman just keeps growing bigger and bigger and his energy is boundless.  I love him dearly - love him more each day -but he is such a handful that it is unreal. I needed to join this list to just feel like I had a support group to turn to, I swear.  I have had dogs for most of my life,  and yet nothing has prepared me for life with Herman. 

Without going into too many of the gory details....One of my main concerns is walking with Herman...I have a very shakey, shattered ankle ever since a serious accident some years ago.  While I can walk at a mild pace, I cannot get around as easily or quickly as I used to and I can be pulled off-balance pretty quickly.  Herman can be a good boy, but if he sees something or someone he wants to get at, he will lunge on the leash with a strength that literally pulls my arm out of it's socket or pulls MY ENTIRE BODY into the air - and I am not a petite woman.  I have used Cesar Milan's walking tips and some of them work, but when Herm is really on a tear, it's still scary. As it is, there is no way I can walk both of my dogs at the same time anymore, because Herman constantly badgers Ellie vigorously and tries to wrestle with the poor little thing while we're walking and almost knocks me on my butt in the process.

Another concern is bringing Herman up to our mountains retreat.  I am so afraid that he will start tracking something and run away and end up either lost in the dense woods of our remote mountain or find his way down on to a highway somewhere.  I am having major anxiety anticipating springtime and how I will handle him THEN if he is as unruly, and strong as an ox right now at only 8 months.  He seems like the type of dog who would love nothing better than to run, lope, and hunt endlessly.  Unfortunately, I could never join him on such grueling expeditions. Our terrain is very wild, steep and rough.  We have alot of coyotes, bear and porcupines also.  Any suggestions on how to handle this?  Anyone?  Please? I need to have hope.

I long to enjoy the new addition to our family - he is so wonderful and such a beautiful spirit in so many ways - but worrying about him is over-shadowing everything for me.

Anyhow - nice to meet you all. Your dogs are all so pretty. I will post some pix soon.

Peace,
Lena