Escape Artist!!

[AnnieW]

My l year old lab/retriever mix has escaped from our property at least 5 times recently. We have a huge property shared with my parents and sisters houses but all is surrounded by walls and gates. They have also a dog eg. spaniel and jack russell approx 4 years old respectively. The three play quite well for most of the day outside. But my dog, Holly, loves children and when she hears them sometimes she wags tail and wants to get out. Im sure my sisters automatic gate is the problem when she comes and goes. However, as her dog doesnt go, no progress to be made at that side.
My question is what to do ? She has always returned when its feeding time in the evening and people have phoned me other times to collect her as they look at her name tag and know she is not a stray dog. She is extremely clever and affectionate. We live alongside a small road and I fear she will be run over. However, its not possible to make the properties any more secure. Will she grow out of this ?
She is very well cared for and sleeps in the house at night. She also has a lovely dog house outside with soft bed etc. as I leave her outside when I go off some days to shop etc. I feel she is too young and too big to leave in the house all day.
Any suggestions??

[marg]

I doubt if she will grow out of it, at least not for a LONG time. Why can't you make sure that the place she is escaping is no longer a place for her to escape? She could easily get hit by a car, you're right. I hope you can fix the problem because I don't think it will go away for a long time.:)

[AnnieW]

Thanks Marg but unfortunately, there my sister is not going to change her comings and goings. Also, we have lots of trees and bushes dividing our properties and the distance and the vegetation make it impossible and too costly to build a wall or a fence there. Someone told me about an electric wire and the dog would wear a collar with an electric battery and if she crossed the wire she would get a small shock. I dont really like the thought of this option as it surely couldnt be good for the dog to be wearing this all day. Also, if the got across, they she wouldnt be able to get back and back to square one.

[Evey]

I never leave my dog outside unattended, and she can't get off of my property. If you must leave your dog out, and you are concerned (as it sounds like you should be) perhaps you should consider a tie out or a dog run.

It really is not your sister's responsibility to make her property safe for your dog.

[Husky06]

I never leave my dog outside unattended, and she can't get off of my property. If you must leave your dog out, and you are concerned (as it sounds like you should be) perhaps you should consider a tie out or a dog run.

It really is not your sister's responsibility to make her property safe for your dog.

if the person was to get a dog run, i guess you're talking about a farily good sized kennel or something like that, it would need a roof, or to be extremely high up, but if the dog is an escape artist like the person said, they could easily dig out also. We found that out when we put the huskies in the kennel, someone suggested concreting just the outside and corners in the inside, well, they're a heck of a lot smarter than that, and almost dug out in 30 minutes. So we concreted it all, and put a roof up, and even locked the door part with 2 key locks hooked into chains, otherwise they would get out. This is a kind of costy solution though. I payed about one thousand dollars, for the 10 by 10 kennel, 6 feet high, the concrete, and tarp for the top. Its well worth not losing my dogs though, when I'm home, they're always with me, but this is for when i'm not

[Evey]

if the person was to get a dog run, i guess you're talking about a farily good sized kennel or something like that, it would need a roof, or to be extremely high up, but if the dog is an escape artist like the person said, they could easily dig out also. We found that out when we put the huskies in the kennel, someone suggested concreting just the outside and corners in the inside, well, they're a heck of a lot smarter than that, and almost dug out in 30 minutes. So we concreted it all, and put a roof up, and even locked the door part with 2 key locks hooked into chains, otherwise they would get out. This is a kind of costy solution though. I payed about one thousand dollars, for the 10 by 10 kennel, 6 feet high, the concrete, and tarp for the top. Its well worth not losing my dogs though, when I'm home, they're always with me, but this is for when i'm not

In the original post it says that the dog is going out a gate on the far other side of the property. I suggested a run for the times when, as is mentioned in the original post, the dog is unattended and the owner has left the property [B]KNOWING THAT THE DOG GETS OUT.[B]

And, as you mentioned, the cost is negligible compared to the health/safety/life of the dog. It would cost a lot more than $1000 in vet bills if the dog were to get hit by a car.

[nlisac]

I actually agree with the one that told you about the electric fence. My parents have one for their dog, and it's not harmful or cruel. There's a training that goes with that when you get it and once you introduce them to it, they first hear a high pitch beeping (depending on which brand you buy I suppose) then I believe a very low grade buzzing that is designed to be a warning for them not to go any farther. Once they realize this they will become afraid of going near the borderline and will stay safely in the area you've designated. They may get a small shock the first time you're trying it, but it's not abuse cause it likley won't happen again once they realize what will happen if they try to run away. I think its an excellent idea and it keeps them safe from harm and danger of running away and getting hit by a car as you mentioned. Good luck!

[mynameislola]

We have kennel runs with concrete floors and solid tops for our dogs. They are great things to have. If you put it around an exterior door, you can make it accessable with a dog door in the regular door.

In some states your sister would be breaking the law by acting in a way that knowingly lets the dog loose. If the dog causes a car accident or injures someone you are talking thousands and thousands of dollars in damages.

[BrinkleyBing]

I actually agree with the one that told you about the electric fence. My parents have one for their dog, and it's not harmful or cruel. There's a training that goes with that when you get it and once you introduce them to it, they first hear a high pitch beeping (depending on which brand you buy I suppose) then I believe a very low grade buzzing that is designed to be a warning for them not to go any farther. Once they realize this they will become afraid of going near the borderline and will stay safely in the area you've designated. They may get a small shock the first time you're trying it, but it's not abuse cause it likley won't happen again once they realize what will happen if they try to run away. I think its an excellent idea and it keeps them safe from harm and danger of running away and getting hit by a car as you mentioned. Good luck!

I am not a fan of invisible fences. It allows other dogs to enter your yard and then your dog has no where to go (in case the other dog is aggressive). Secondly, if a dog manages to go through the fence....it is not likely to go back in.

So even if you don’t go the dog towards the danger...but the danger can come to your dog.

The other day I saw a dog who looked so..so sad. I did not know there was an invisible fence between him & me....& I was inviting him to come over to me to be petted. Poor thing :(. Regular fences at least allow you to pet the dogs (at least the once you are familiar with).

All types of fences have their own advantages & disadvantages. Invisible (electric) fence is my least favorite.

[BrinkleyBing]

Hi AnnieW,

How long are you gone when you go shopping? If it is not for too long, I think you can consider any of the following.

1. Mini Kennel (need to place it on a hard surface)
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=287&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=0&iSubCat=0&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=287&AS=1

http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=866&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=408&iSubCat=507&iSubSubCat=511&iProductID=866

2. Exercise Pens (they can be covered too)
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=4107&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=408&iSubCat=507&iSubSubCat=509&iProductID=4107

3. Tie-outs (only if you think it is appropriate) near her dog house or where there is shade & shelter. You can have as long as possible tie outs. I do not like to suggest this option...but at least it is better than the risks involved in roaming free beyond your property.

Any one of these is just a small amount to pay for your dog's safety.

[marg]

We have an electric fence and it works very well. But, as mentioned before it is NOT able to keep anything out of your fence. We NEVER leave Chloe outside by herself. It really does work good to keep her in though. There is ALOT of training that does go along w/ it.