Horrible Scare-Cover the Backyard?

[Sweet Apple]

Originally Posted by JenniferLeigh

Could you build a covered dog run?

Ya know, I thought about that, but it would defeat the purpose of having a big back yard...And the expense, OMG's, if I made one as big as I'd like to have...I just want them to be able to run in huge circles, chasing each other w/toys, having a great time!!!

[Cerise]

I would be a nervous wreck!

I'm beginning to like the idea of a future living in a high rise condo downtown and not even thinking about yards. That way Cerise and I won't even think about hawks or coyotes, since they are both here in Austin too. We'll just use potty pads forever and take our walks on the sidewalks of the city. We can do small parks or city courtyards and Yorkie meet ups for fun...and plenty of patio cafes

[laci32]

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

Yesterday evening, about dusk, I had my two pups outside, along w/a boarder, a chihuahua, named Lexi...Thinking the hawks were probably bedded down, I felt, relatively, safe...I just happened to look up, and a hawk, that looked as big as a small plane, was diving down towards the backyard...I went insane, screaming, running around, and waving my arms, and it did fly off to the west...Then I was screaming for all the dogs to come in, and, thank goodness, they did...I'm sure they heard the panic in my voice...I just can't let them out there, unleased, anymore, and wondered if anyone has any ideas about how to cover some of the backyard? I have a pretty big yard, so netting really wouldn't work...I'm just wrecked, because they love to go out there and really dig in and run...Because I don't have carpet, they can't really do that in the house...Hopefully, someone has some answers...

I was told this idea some years back and never tried it but maybe it works .Take foil pie tins and nail them to the trees they make a weird sound in any breeze scaring off birds that and the reflection

[daylee]

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

What are gazing balls? I'm on a mission!!!

Gazing balls, are those metalic, mirror balls you see in yards usually on a concrete stand (like a bird bath bottom or a metal stand.They come in many colors. Quite cute.

[Sweet Apple]

Originally Posted by Cerise

I would be a nervous wreck!

I'm beginning to like the idea of a future living in a high rise condo downtown and not even thinking about yards. That way Cerise and I won't even think about hawks or coyotes, since they are both here in Austin too. We'll just use potty pads forever and take our walks on the sidewalks of the city. We can do small parks or city courtyards and Yorkie meet ups for fun...and plenty of patio cafes

Seriously, I'm thinking about moving into a nice apartment...Looking out my back patio door, and not wanting to take my babies out there is terrible...I'm still feeling sick, from last night's episode...Honestly, I just can't shake it, it was such a close call...My only concern, is Apple, absolutely, refuses to use potty pads...It's either take me outside, or I'll do it on the floor...She's something else ...Buzz, on the other hand, will use the pads, if I don't take him outside...

[viviansnickers]

OMG Maggie!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness nothing happened to your pups!!!! Ohhh myyyyyyy!!!!!!!! Thank you for letting us know what could potentially happen!!

BIG HUGS FRIEND!
Snick & Viv

[honeykisses]

The same thing happened to us last week. We live in Florida, and my daughter and I were out back playing badminton and took the dogs out to play, and it was dusk also, and a hawk flew over us and kept circling. We were scrambling to get the dogs inside and running after them with our rackets still in our hands. We got everyone in safely, and the hawk circled for a few minutes and left. I hate to walk them in the backyard with a leash, but I'm afraid to let them out.

[OwnedByJezebel]

In the last few days, both hubby and I have had separate sightings of a bald eagle, and we're not far from you ... gotta be careful!

[Tanjay]

I did once read a story of a couple walking two of their dogs in Scotland, out of no where a bird of prey swooped down and flew off with their tiny tiny jack russell, I felt so sick when I read this story, so I can honestly see how you feel. Even if you do what everyone says, I think you will be still on pins everytime they go in the yard, but the idea of the tin foil sounds good, wind chimes, tinfoil dangling in trees etc, sound really good idea

[Lee B]

I don't know how big is "big", but to protect our fish ponds from flying predators we put up posts and string monofilament fishing line zig/zagged between them. It's not an eyesore to humans, but the birds can see it and it prevents them from being able to swoop in.

Old CD disks twisting in the wind also flash lights in unscheduled patterns. You can also buy spools of foil like ribbon (I forget what it's called) and hang streamers, too.

Birds of prey are bad ... and as I mentioned once before, this is the time of year that they have young they're trying to teach to kill - so it is NOT a thought you wish to entertain.

[zcb]

I'm with Lee B because I also use fish line that I've strung from the fence to the house back and forth. I've also set several cds out so that they move in the wind. The fish line is not noticeable by people but birds certainly can see it and they seem to know that they could get tangled in it so they avoid it. I worry about the hawks too and I seen several but so far none have approached the yard with all my "stuff" in it.

[Sweet Apple]

like Lee B & zcb, I've heard about the string thing....Wow, that would be a big job...I'm thinking I'd have to put a nail at the top of each cedar board on the fence, right? The stringing wouldn't take too much time;The nails on the board would...I don't give a flip how it looks, if it keeps my kidz safe...

[StacyDufner]

I am so sorry. It is a very scary thing. I had a hawk circling my yard yesterday so I know how you feel.

[zcb]

I don't have the fishlines that close. They are probably every 6 feet or so.

[SophieKatesMom]

Hawks are gutsy animals, last weekend I let Sophie Kate and Avery (the cat) sit on the deck while I cooking dinner (they were within my view) and I saw this huge shadow flying over the deck - it was a Hawk. Thank goodness I had the door open and I said the magic word "cookie" they both came flying in the house for their treat.