Is Your Dog An Escape Artist?

Do you have a dog you can’t seem to keep at home, who scales your fence or takes every opportunity to run off? A dog running loose is likely to be injured or picked up by animal control, and you, as the owner, are liable for any damage your dog might do, to property or to people or other animals.

Why Does Your Dog Want to Escape?

The first step to resolving your dog’s Houdini-like behavior is to determine the reason why they are escaping.

Boredom or social isolation

If your dog isn’t getting enough attention at home, your dog may seek entertainment or companionship elsewhere. You can keep your dog entertained when you are gone by providing various toys and different things to do. Make sure your dog gets plenty of time with family and gets to experience your companionship!

Sexually motivated roaming

This is mainly an issue for unneutered male dogs, but it’s a problem for owners of unspayed females as well. A male dog looking for available females is very hard to keep in, and if your female wanders while she’s in heat, she’s nearly sure to get pregnant.

Pet overpopulation is a serious issue, and accidental breeding is a big part of it. If you get your dog neutered when they’re young, you will avoid this issue entirely. If they’ve established the pattern of escaping over a long period, it may take longer for them to stop, but getting them altered will make changing this behavior much easier. Call the SPCA of Texas today at 214-742-7722 for low-cost spay and neuter options.

Fear and Anxiety

Dogs with fears and phobias, such as thunderstorm or noise phobias, often react by escaping. Keep your dog safe by putting them somewhere they can’t escape and where they feel safe when you know they may be frightened. Separation anxiety can also cause your dog to try to escape.

Keeping Your Dog Safely at Home

To keep your dog in, you’ll need to figure out how they’re getting out. While you work to make them want to get out less, you also need to block their escape routes. No matter what method you use, always make sure your dog has access to shelter and fresh water while outdoors.

Fences

If your dog jumps the fence, you can make it higher. The best way to do that is with an extension that slants inward at about a 45-degree angle. A lot of dogs get over fences by climbing, pushing off something on or near the fence, or by hitching themselves over with their paws. Make sure there’s nothing your dog can use to get over in these ways. A rolling bar at the top of the fence, sometimes referred to as “coyote rollers,” can be helpful. For a dog who digs under the fence, you can make digging difficult or impossible by securing chicken wire or chain link fencing on the ground or burying it along the base of the fence, or by placing large rocks or bricks there. Replace or secure any latches or locks that your dog has figured out how to open. Sometimes the only way to prevent fence escapes is to provide a secure, covered dog run for the times you’re not at home.

Tethering, Tying, or Chaining Your Dog

There are a lot of reasons not to use a tether or chain to keep your dog on your property. A tied out dog can easily get hurt or so frustrated that they act aggressively or destructively. In many cities, including Dallas, it is illegal to tether your dog if you are not immediately present. If you do need to tether your dog for short periods of time, be sure that you have a safe and legal way to do it. The generally accepted method of short-term tethering is with a tie-out trolley on a line that runs between two points, such as trees, allowing your dog room to move around. Connect your dog to the trolley with a leash attached to a body harness–never a choke or prong collar. The leash should be short enough that it won’t get tangled or wrapped around your dog, but long enough that your dog can comfortably lie down. Of course, make sure they have easy access to fresh food, water and shelter.

Remember, never punish your dog for escaping. This can make things worse – your dog will be scared to come back when they get out!