Can an American Bully Jump a Fence?

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You might wonder if your American Bully can jump your yard fence when you’re not watching or if you can train your dog to jump obstacles. The breed appears stouter than most breeds known for jumping out of the yard, but does the stoutness hold it back?

An American Bully can jump a fence, thanks to its large muscles that allow it to jump and climb well. That said, American Bullies do well in jumping sports. These dogs are known to jump six-foot fences or jump shy but climb the rest of the way. Therefore, yards need eight-foot fencing.

Here are some alterations to consider. You could alter how you interact with your American Bully if it likes to jump the fence. Or, you could modify your fencing and yard to mitigate your Bully’s attempts at escape.

Keep reading to learn more about whether or not American Bullies are excellent jumpers and how to train your Bully not to jump over a fence.

An American Bully Can Jump Over a Fence

American Bullies come in several shapes and sizes, but all have genetics from older breeds that rely on muscle. All can jump and climb fences, including some taller than you would expect of the stouter varieties.

American bullies and their Stafford and pitbull cousins are known to get over a six-foot fence. Even bullies smaller in size can jump three feet.

YouTube is full of these examples. Check out this video where a Bully jumps high while playing ball in the yard:

Here’s another video of an American Bully jumping a fence:

Some also put on a good show jumping part of the way and then climbing the rest.

How high an American Bully can jump depends on age, behavioral tendencies, and training.

Excited animals will jump to greet owners and fellow canines. While we expect this from young dogs in general, it can become a problem as the dog ages, becomes more physically capable, and continues its jumping habits. Good training becomes necessary.

American Bullies Jump Fences Due to Boredom and Fear

Many emotions lead American Bullies to develop fence-jumping habits. Some of these emotions include boredom and fear.

Like many other dog breeds, Bullies can get bored after being confined in the house or left alone in the yard all day.

While they’re not as energetic as some other bullies, American Bullies are still playful and need regular interaction. Jumping fences is just one clever way they can begin an escapade. So if you’re having an issue, working in exercise sessions or a companion should help.

Bullies may also jump fences when they want to run away from new situations, such as strangers nearing the home, fireworks, and thunderstorms. It’s good to be around when such events come up so you can bring the dog inside or coach them until the event passes.

Consider Using Fence Accessories

Installing L-footers can help to prevent your American Bully from jumping the fence. If you place it inverted at the top of the fencing, the hardware will point down into the yard. The dog can see these pieces, understand them as obstacles, and avoid the hassle of jumping. You can also use cat netting the same way for the same purpose.

PVC pipes along the top of a fence are another way to go. They’re more affordable than most other options that involve retrofitting your yard. You can get some with a 5-inch diameter and nail them in. The piping will be too broad and smooth for the dog to gain the traction needed to haul over the top of the fence.

Similar in concept is coyote rollers. They’re pipes you install near the top of your fence, but they roll when an animal tries to grip them. The pipes keep coyotes out but your pets inside. It’s two benefits in one effort as coyotes are probably in your area even if you don’t see them. They invade everywhere, from rural to urban areas.

Another option is to limit the dog’s momentum to a fence. Bullies get a lot of the jumping height from a running start. So smaller yards, obstacles between a running stretch and the fencing, or having two sets of fences within a few feet of each other can keep the dog safely in the yard. An obstacle can be anything from trees to baby gates.

Train Your American Bully To Prevent Fence Jumping

Besides adjusting the fence and how the dog can approach the fencing, basic training helps to prevent jumping. American Bulldogs usually train best with short, frequent sessions, such as two 10-minute workouts per day. And they’re quick to notice if their owners are going cheap on the treats.

You may not be training against jumping fences specifically, but providing enough exercise and discipline to curb your dog’s energy and wanderlust, calms it overall.

Have the Right Yard for Your American Bully

American Bullies don’t have the greatest yard needs. While some exercise and interaction go a long way to prevent youngsters from jumping fences, these dogs are relatively low-key. Bullies, in general, can jump high and need tall fencing, but American Bullies especially so. Most dog owners go for eight-foot-tall fencing.

Along with setting barriers to block momentum, make sure the dog cannot use the obstacles to help them up, like containers. A cleared path along the yard’s perimeter removes any possibility of the dog finding something that can work as a launchpad over the fencing. The clearing will also help you see if the dog finds something on the other side interesting enough to seek.

It’s a good idea to stay outside with your Bully regardless of the state of your yard. The breed is clever and able escapists. 

But a Bully is also prone to heat-related issues, so you’ll want to monitor your dog in the summer for that. American Bullies are less susceptible to heat than other Bullies, but it’s worth being cautious about your dog’s health. Water and shade are critical as well for the same reason.

A varied landscape like garden rocks, bushes, or a dog playground can make the yard more interesting than whatever is on the other side of the fence. Toys and hidden treats also add to the entertainment.

If you can choose your fencing, something that blocks your dog’s view of the neighborhood, like close wooden boards, will remove the temptation to get out, whereas a chain link is easy to see through and climb over.

Jumping Tendencies Among Other Bullies

American Bulldogs are a young breed, but they come from the English Bulldog, which worked with livestock. These dogs needed to be strong in ways bigger dogs weren’t, such as jaw strength and jumping ability. It takes such a dog to handle the bulls it was named after. 

English Bulldogs later became bred for cosmetic looks, and thus their exaggerated stocky, wide bodies and flat faces. Inadvertently, the traditional athleticism of the English Bulldog is now alive in American and Stafford Bullies. Even English Bulldogs taken to Germany became Boxers, and they’re talented jumpers. All Bulldogs can jump well, but American Bullies can jump extra well.

Final Thoughts

An American Bully can jump over a fence. That said, you should pay attention to your American Bully to ensure it won’t jump a fence when you aren’t looking.

American Bullies have muscular bodies that allow them to jump and climb fences. They can clear six feet, so ideally, your fence should be eight feet high. 

Other factors to deter your Bully from jumping include adequate exercise and entertainment within the yard. Obstacles help, whether you set them on top of the fence or in the yard to block momentum.