Bringing home a new puppy can be one of the most exciting times for a family, but it can also be quite challenging. Puppies need constant supervision, and just when new paw parents think they’ve got everything figured out, their little pup throws a curveball—and suddenly, all the latest safety protocols need to be updated.
In a recent Instagram clip, we saw how a little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy named Bonnie quickly turned into an escape artist after she realized she could fit through the fence rails. Her mom had to come up with a plan quickly to keep the adorable pup in the yard—rather than heading down the street to the neighbor’s house again!
Mom’s idea was genius-level smart! She decided to outfit Bonnie’s puppy harness with a stick longer than the gap between the fence posts so that the dog couldn’t squeeze through. Of course, that doesn’t stop the Spaniel from trying.
As expected, when Bonnie and her doggie sibling are let out into the snow-covered yard, the puppy makes a beeline for the fence. Obviously, she was planning her escape, but her plan was foiled. She tried several openings and even tried to squeeze between the fence and a large tree, but Mom’s preventive stick was the perfect trick to keep her safe.
Related: Labrador and Dalmatian Introduce Their New Puppy Like Proud Big Siblings
Other Puppy Parents Shared Their Thoughts
Not surprisingly, this is a common problem among paw parents of smaller-breed puppies. Some followers mentioned installing chicken wire to keep the little one from getting through, while others suggested adding more slats to the existing fence.
Many viewers were impressed by Mom’s ingenuity, saying things like, “Genius!!! We put up chicken wire! Could have saved money and time with this!” Another fan wrote, “Did the same with my pup but used what I had on hand—a wooden spoon.”
Hopefully, little Bonnie realizes that the grass (or snow) isn’t different on the other side of the fence and stays put so her mom doesn’t have to keep chasing her down the street!
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This story was originally published by PawNation on Mar 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add PawNation as a Preferred Source by clicking here.