Introducing the Question
Many dog owners with balconies wonder if their furry friend could accidentally fall or jump off. It’s an unnerving thought, but an important question to ask. While rare, there are real dangers, as evidenced by news reports of dogs falling from balconies. Understanding the risks could help prevent a tragedy.
We all want to keep our canine companions safe. For high-rise dwellers, that means taking precautions when letting dogs onto balconies. With some knowledge of dog behavior, potential hazards, and proper precautions, we can allow our dogs to enjoy balcony time while avoiding preventable accidents.
Dog Behavior Basics
Dogs are naturally curious animals that like to investigate their surroundings. This comes from their evolution as hunters, where they relied on their senses of smell and hearing to track prey (source: https://www.hshv.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Level-1-Dog-Training-March.pdf). They use their powerful sense of smell to follow scents and their eyesight to visually examine objects. Dogs also have a strong prey drive and love to chase things that move quickly, like squirrels, birds, or toys (source: https://www.dog-care-basics.com/dog_behavior.html). This instinctive need to chase can override their training.
Dogs that are not properly supervised may follow their curiosity and natural instincts to explore over balconies if something catches their attention. Their drive to investigate or chase can make them unaware of dangers like falling.
Risk Factors
Certain traits can increase the risk of a dog going over a balcony railing or falling through a gap. According to PetMD, lack of training and obedience is one major risk factor. Dogs who do not reliably respond to commands like “stay” and “wait” are more likely to run out onto a balcony without permission. Additionally, high energy levels and excitability may cause a dog to jump up on the railing or run and play unsafely. Dogs with high prey drives that intensely focus on birds, squirrels, or other animals they see from the balcony are also at increased risk of accidentally falling. Proper training and exercise can help mitigate these risks.
Balcony Dangers
Balconies can pose several dangers for dogs if proper precautions are not taken. One major risk is falls from height. Dogs can accidentally fall off balconies if unsupervised, especially if they put their paws on railings while excited or trying to get a view. According to the AKC, falls account for serious injuries and deaths among high-rise dogs each year.
Another potential issue is that dogs may have difficulty finding their way back inside if they get onto a balcony alone. They can get stranded outside, which exposes them to weather elements and prevents them from accessing food, water, and shelter. The PetMD article recommends installing sliding screens or gates to block off balcony access.
Exposure to weather is a significant balcony hazard as well. Dogs left unattended on balconies can overheat in the sun or get frostbitten in cold temperatures. The extreme heat from grills is also a burn risk. PETA advises never leaving dogs alone on balconies in very hot or cold weather conditions.
Prevention Tips
There are several ways to prevent your dog from walking off a balcony. The most important is proper leashing or tethering. Keep your dog on a sturdy leash that’s the appropriate length every time you are out on the balcony. Tie the leash to something secure. This will restrict your dog’s access to the balcony edge. Balcony enclosures like plexiglass barriers or metal railings can also prevent your dog from falling. Make sure any openings are small enough that your dog can’t squeeze through.
Additionally, work on training your dog to wait and stay. With patience and positive reinforcement, you can teach your dog to wait for your command before entering the balcony, and to stay in a spot away from the edge. Mastering these skills will give you more control and keep your dog safely away from any balcony risks.
Real-Life Examples
Dogs falling from balconies unfortunately does happen, as pet owners can get distracted or underestimate their pet’s curiosity. According to one account, a dog fell five stories from an apartment balcony after its owners briefly left the balcony door open (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/600524). The fall left the dog with serious injuries requiring emergency veterinary care. Thankfully, after several weeks of recovery, the dog made a full recovery.
In another real-life case, a dog fell from a third floor balcony after jumping up on the railing (source). The fall broke the dog’s leg and pelvis. After surgery and rehabilitation, the dog learned to walk again and went on to live a full, happy life. Situations like these demonstrate why balcony safety is so critical for pet owners. With proper precautions, even serious falls can still have positive outcomes.
Expert Opinions
According to veterinarian Dr. Sarah Wooten, “I advise pet owners to be extremely cautious when leaving their dog on a balcony unattended.” She warns that “There have been reported cases of dogs falling or jumping off of balconies and either dying or becoming severely injured.”1
Professional dog trainer Andrea Arden states “Dogs should never be left on a balcony unattended for any period of time.” She explains that dogs’ natural curiosity and desire to chase prey like birds and squirrels makes balconies potentially dangerous places for them. 2
The BC SPCA advises “Unless your balcony is completely enclosed with secure netting or perspex panels, we recommend keeping your dog inside when unsupervised.” They caution that dogs could injure themselves by falling or jumping over railings. 3
Signs of Trouble
There are some key signs to watch out for that may indicate your dog is feeling compelled to jump or fall from a balcony. Two major warning signs are restlessness/pacing and freezing/staring:
Restlessness and pacing back and forth near the balcony edge could suggest your dog is anxious or stressed about something below. Dogs may pace when agitated or wanting to investigate something. Sudden motions or noises from down below could trigger this reaction. If your dog starts displaying restless pacing on the balcony, it’s best to bring them inside right away.
Freezing and staring fixedly over the balcony ledge is also concerning behavior. When focused intently on something below, your dog may become oblivious to potential danger. Staring down at a stimulus for too long can overexcite your dog. This trance-like state increases the chances they could accidentally slip and fall over the ledge. If you notice your dog freezing near the edge, get their attention and bring them to a safer part of the balcony or inside.
Paying close attention to your dog’s body language is key to recognizing signs of trouble on balconies at an early stage. Immediately intervening by distraction, redirection, or going inside could be life-saving. According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Katherine Houpt, learning to read your dog’s signals allows you to respond appropriately to their needs and keep them secure.
What to Do If It Happens
If your dog does end up going over the edge of the balcony, it’s important to remain as calm as possible. Shouting or startling the dog more could cause them to fall. Instead, speak to them in a calm, reassuring voice to try to coax them back onto the balcony.
Have some favorite treats or toys ready by the balcony door to try luring them back inside. Wave a toy or shake a bag of treats while calmly calling your dog’s name. Don’t lean over the railing or make any sudden movements that could startle them.
If your dog is still hesitant, see if you can gently toss some treats to land near them to regain their attention. The key is to avoid creating more stress and fear, which could lead to dangerous actions like the dog trying to jump back up.
Stay focused on keeping your voice and demeanor calm. With patience and their favorite incentives, you have a good chance of encouraging them to safety. But don’t attempt to grab or pull the dog unless absolutely necessary, as that risks injury to both of you.
If none of these tactics work, you may need to try securing a rescue harness to lower someone down. Calling emergency services is also an option if the situation seems dire. But in most cases, remaining calm and using positive reinforcement will get your dog back over the railing.
Cited from: https://hotdogonaleash.com/balcony-safety-for-dogs/
Conclusion
In summary, dog owners need to be very cautious about allowing their pets on balconies unrestrained and unsupervised. While the risk of a dog jumping or falling over a balcony railing exists, especially in high-rise buildings, proper training, supervision, and preventative measures like leashes and balcony barriers can greatly reduce this danger.
It’s critical that pet owners understand their dog’s temperament and train them to be calm and obedient on balconies from a young age. High energy, anxious, or untrained dogs should not have unsupervised balcony access. Owners should also dog-proof their balcony by installing screens, gates, or netting to prevent accidents.
While a scary scenario, dogs do not typically purposefully jump off balconies and owners can take steps to prevent tragedy. With proper precautions, many dogs can safely enjoy balcony time. We hope this article provided key information to dog owners for keeping their pets secure.