Hi micki!

Murph has always been a fence runner too. I don't think the
extra fence 2-3 ft out is going to help. Every morning there's a
person that walks their cocker spaniel down the side walk
next to my fence and Murph runs and barks at him. There's
at least 6 ft between my fence and the sidewalk on the
other side.

My grass is fairly thick and stays somewhat green during winter,
so I never have a really bad mud problem. I did build a brick
path around my bay window flower bed and I notice that Murph
does use that path on his way to the fence. So your path solution
may work for your dogs.

I myself plan on replacing all my carpet with wood flooring and
ceramic tile, when it starts to look really bad.

Par...