Why is My Dog Running Away & How to Stop Him from Escaping
93Dogs Roam
There are different reasons as to why your dog may be trying to run away, and no one of the reasons is not that he doesn't like you and is trying to get away. For the most part, some dogs just like to get out, and typically there are breeds that are notorious for that. Huskies are one of the many breeds that are bad about escaping the fence or the door.
But, for the most part dogs are the descendants of wolves which in the wild walk and roam miles and miles a each day. You dog still has some of that inbred in him. So what I'm saying is that roaming is completely natural for your dog and the entire roaming process involves several other natural behaviors such as scouting, exploring, and hunting, but that doesn't mean that you want your dog to roam out into your neighborhood and get lost just because it is natural for him to want to roam.
Now, although some dogs will be able to find their way back home, you don't want to leave your fence open to let your dog roam becuase your dog may not be one of those dogs. Plus because our world is made or concrete and tar, it can be hard to find the right scent to find a way home.
I'll tell you if I were to try that, my yorkie would get bored and find his way back after traveling as far as the front yard probably, whereas my American Pit Bull Terrier would probably just keep going. She'd probably eventually run into something that spooked her, turn around, and not know where to start.
But, anyway, you don't want to hear about my troublesome mutts, you want to find out why your dog is running off and how to stop it. Right?
Why Your Dog Runs Away
There are a number of reasons as to why your dog keeps running away, and as I said above, it's not that he doesn't like you. The first step to stoping your dog from running away is to figure out why he's running away.
First off consider whether or not your dog is neutered, and yes unaltered male dogs have a strong propensity to roam. It's his drive to reproduce, so if you get him neutered you will reduce your male dog's "need" to roam in about 90% of males, which means in about 10% of males it may not change the roaming habits.
Consider whether or not your dog has enough stimulation. For the same reason your neighbors dog digs, you dog may be trying to run away to find something to do. Boredom will do wonders for the human brain, just as it will the canine brain, so if you know that you dog is naturally curious and active, you want to make sure that you provide plenty of stimulation, which typically means runs in the morning and at night.
Another strong drive, is the predatory one. If your dog has a strong predatory drive, he is likely to see a squirrel, rabbit, or even another dog, and take off after it. This is one of the harder causes of your dog running away to correct because the predatory drive is a self-rewarding natural drive; the dog takes after what he wants and when he catches it, he's automatically rewarded.
You will notice that like their ancestors, dogs have their home, or den, but some dogs will have a secondary one, and if they have the ability to do so, they may run off to their secondary den, so to speak. For example, when my grandmother's Dalmatian was younger, ever chance he got he would run off and always end up in my yard. I've also heard of dogs going missing and always going to the same spot each time, and although this makes finding the dog easy, it can be a pain to go pick them up.
And, similar to the second home cause, if a dog knows where he can get rewarded, such as a source of food or attention, he may escape to that area when given the chance.
Fear is another big one. There are so many dogs that are terrified of thunderstorms, which is why after a big storm, you will find the local ASPCA's and animal control facilities packed. If something spooks the dog, such as a big storm, the dog may find a way out and just keep running until he feels safe. If you know what you dog is scared of, it will be easier on you to prevent your dog from breaking out of the yard or house. For example, if your dog is scared of thunderstorms and loud noises, you probably want to find a safe place inside to put your dog on the 4th of July when you know that fireworks will be booming all around.
Stop Your Dog From Running Away
Depending on what reason you've concluded as to why your dog is running away, will vary your end result of fixing the behavior.
First, assuming that your dog is an unneutered male, the easy first try fix is to get him neutered. I wouldn't expect results the day the dog comes home from the vet, but given a few weeks or months, I'd say 90% chance of stopping the problem is pretty good odds that your dog will stop trying to get out of the fence. Now, if neutering your dog still doesn't help the problem, don't think that the surgery was a waste, becuase you've taken the first step towards preventing prostate cancer as well as an unwanted litter.
But, if neutering the dog didn't really help, you want to make sure that you have a strong, sturdy fence with a gate that your dog can't push open or kick out. Having a good fence will prevent dogs from coming in your yard, as well. Plus, if you put your dog on a outside tie, run, or within an electric fence area, you're not using a real fence; all that you're doing is increasing the potential for territorial aggression and sometimes your dogs want to get out.
You want to make sure that your dog's environment, yard and overall way of life is 'dog friendly,' which means make sure that your dogs basic needs are met. A dog's basic needs includes: food, shelter, and plenty of enrichment.
If your dog runs when he is frieghtened, you want to figure out what is scaring the dog, and go from there. Like a mentioned above, if you dog is scared of thunderstorms and loud noises, bring the dog in when it's going to storm or during times when you expect loud noises such as fireworks. You also want to consider other methods of helping your dog get over his fears, and if that doesn't work, you can always try anxiety medications, but ask your vet first!
- Check out Dog Fears and Phobias if you want to find a few methods of helping your dog get over his fears before trying to put him on meds.
- Check out Games to Play with Dogs if you want more information about stimulation for your dog. Remember that a good long game of tug of war is still no replacement for a good ole run
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Yes, we call these "jail breaks" in our household. I have noticed that my dog doesn't like to run away as much as she likes to run around. You can see the glisten in her eyes as she runs around the neighborhood freely. She then cowers when she is "caught" followed by a proud walk back home.
Same with my husky girl, Ryan! She wants to run for running's sake, not because she's unhappy.. she gets love and attention, positive and negative attention as she needs it.. I'm just at my wit's end with her digging and escaping.
Whitney, this might be a little graphic, but how long after my puppy stops.. err.. heat swelling *cough* will she stop trying to run around and procreate?
Charlotte, when I get home I may try to add a little more info, but for now I think it's pretty much what I was hoping for. I think that I have a book with exercises for certain behaviors and reducing them such as reducing the acts predatory behaviors and whatnot. It may just be a whole other hub though, and a link posted here. We'll have to see. Sounds like your girl is bored, but then digging and running are both very common traits with huskies in general.
It's been a while since I looked up much about female heat, which is why I jumped on the request because I need to brush up. Ha. I want to say they're typically in heat for like 1-3 weeks, but I could be wrong. I want to say it will vary depending on the dog. I'll try to get the female heat hub out for you this weekend.
Ryan, isn't if funny when you can tell that they want to run off. It's like they know that they shouldn't but they want to SOO bad. Ha
Whitney ~ It is funny. She doesn't dig and she knows that it is wrong, but she just can't help it. My house & back yard are fully fenced with a 6' fence, so it is not like she gets out very often. It usually happens when someone leaves the gate open. I have even looked her right in the eye before she runs and she gives me that look like "sorry dad" and then she takes off.
My parents live in the woods, so when we visit them I just let her run around loose. I know she won't run off, she just likes to explore all of the new smells of the forest. I just can't let her do that in the city because she will get herself into trouble.
Vivi once escaped my parents' backyard when we were visiting them, because my parents' dogs were getting washed with the hose and she was afraid she was next (she is rescued, and afraid of a lot... a LOT... of things). She ran around the neighborhood, and while we were out looking for her, she snuck back in the way she'd left. Boy, was I ever relieved.
Ryan maybe its the freedom that she gets at your parents. I don't know but the sad face right before she goes is kind of cute if it wasn't her running off.
Maddie, my yorkie did that at my ex's grandparents. He was off leash and we turned out heads and he was gone. We all went searching and the next thing your know they find him on his way back to the house as we're all freaking out and running everywhere for him. He just looked at us like 'what's the problem?'
okay my dog is a 8 month old golden retriever, she keeps finding a way under our chain link fence. today she got out 10 times. we have put cinder blocks beside the fence so she cant get out. somehow she still manages to. as she gets older she gets a whole lot smarter and finds new ways.What should i do? i have another golden retriever but she is 8 years old. she knows not to go in the road and she also doesnt tear up stuff like the other does.my mom recremended putting Bama(8 month old) on a chain and tie her up but ive read tht putting them on a chain isnt the answer to my problems. bama jumps up on us when we go outside and we cant stop her unbearable behavior! can you help me??
she's a puppy and needs training... especially for the jumping concern. as for getting out of the yard, have you tried to figure out why she's trying to get out? Figure that out, and you can probably figure out how to correct the behavior.
Hi, I need help! I adopted Emmie from Arkansas in September and she loves to get away when I am walking her or as I am bringing her in from the yard she will run off. She stays right around the house but will not come back when I call her. She has her stuffed toys and I will go get one and squeak it and she will come to its rescue and I can get a hold of her. Now the problem is it is winter here in RI and we had a big snow storm. Today I let her out in the yard and she played and had a ball in the snow, but when I went to get her in she would not come near me, she would just run away. She finally came to the gate and when I opened it she bolted out the gate and we could not get her for over 2 hours. I tried bringing her food, her toys and she would not come in. I finally left the yard gate opened and she went in, but continued to run away from me. She is a sweet dog and wonderful with my grandchildren, but this behavior is hard on us because we are older and it's hard for us to chase her. We have leash laws here and I'm afraid someone will call the dog officer. When we adopted her she was found roaming around Little Rock, she was in a shelter from June til Sept, and then we adopted her here in RI. I just don't know how to stop this behavior. They say she is part Greyhound and Collie. I would appreciate any help. Thank you.
Sounds like you need to work on basic obedience and find a better way to keep the dog enclosed in the yard. Definitely work on basic obedience. I'd work with leash walking not just letting the dog run out in the yard to play. When she gets the hang of that, get a longer lead. When she learns that she needs to obey you at all costs, then start letting her free play in the yard.
Thank you Whitney, When we got Emmie in September we were always out in the yard with her and she would come right in. I was taking her to a dog park and she likes that, but when bigger dogs come in she cowls down almost like she is afriad. She loves the little dogs and will run with them. Since we had this big snow storm I haven't been able to walk her because of the ice. She has learn to sit on command, but that is it. I appreciate your help. I will let you know how things go. Thanks again. Have a Happy Holiday.
Oh - I wish people read up on the dog they were buying before they get them. Huskies do run away - you need acres of land for excercise and electric fencing to keep them within the the area ie: covering 50 acres - this is not cheap but works, yards and normal gardens are just crawl because they are far to small for this breed of dog.
I have a problem dog, however it is not mine. We love our dog, and do everything we can to keep him at home. We live on a small acreage, with too many neighbors with uncontrolled dogs. They visit regularily, and we have tried everthing humane we can think of to keep them away. Our fear is that they will teach our dog to wonder, and he may get hit on the road, or worse. We have attempted to scare them away, but that has simply made it so they come over when we are not home, or at night. We have seen them chase our horses, and harass the cats, of course there is also a mess left from them, and they steal our dogs bones. The neighbors do not seem to care, and we have to regulated "dog catchers" to assist. What can we do?
Our German Shepherd is 5 yrs old we got her from the pound when she was 3. She ran when we first got her. Over the past 2years Beauty has calmed down . About a month ago she starting running. She comes home now and has diearrea. My son purchased a shock collar but if Beaity gets out of your sight she takes off. I think she got into a dead deer and can't help but run. I don't know what to do. I won't put a dog on a chain and I can't have her running around the township. I ready to give up and put her down. Wev'e had Shepherds for over 30 years and I've never had a female act so independently. Is there anything I can do?
My darling 1 1/2 yr old boxer,american bulldog and pit mix Chyna is just the sweetest little girl I have ever seen. She was adopted from the pound about 2 months ago. But I have a big problem. We have a neighbor that has a little mix of some sort. When ever she hears him out side she gives me the OOOOOOOH he's out look and when I call her to come here she looks at me like to say ummmm I think not and takes off. I don't know what to do. When we walk by there she tries to stop and play or just stops all together. Like to say (romeo where r u). I am at my wits end I know she is getting the stimalation she needs she does this when ever she feels the need to. Like she did it today when we were playing fetch. Oh i do let her and him play together every now and then. Did I make a mistake by doing this? She does now the commands sit,stay and come. She's really good at sit and stay she will do for a while but come she does some of the time when there isn't a distraction.
The dog isn't fluent in the commands and shouldn't be let off leash, unless in your fenced in yard. She's not trying to run away, but to play with another dog. Dogs are pack animals and typically need that interaction.
Thanks so very much. I did some research also and found out about using a lead so i made one and started using it. She doesn't like it but she'll get use to it and maybe soon I can let her off it once she learns. TY again
You should ALWAYS leash a dog, ESPECIALLY new dogs and while training. You don't know the dog's full temperament yet, so you can potentially cause problems with other dogs or people.
I have an 11 month old staff terrier mix and i have a big problem. she keeps getting out of our garden. the garden is fully fenced in but she can jump high enough to get onto the wall and runs off. she got into a neighbours garden the other night and his dog was really aggressive about his territory. is there any way i can keep her in our garden as i don't want to find her a new home but want her to be safe and happy
How big of an area does is pinned up in? Is the the other dog that she is seeing and running towards? If so, find a place to put her when you can't watch her, where she can't see the other dog.
This is interesting. Our little Chiquita used to bust out all the time at our old house and take us on wild runs down busy streets. Things changed when we moved to our new house 6 years ago. Granted, she was a little older, but we had a block fence and we were in a very quiet, serene area up near the mountain preserve. We also started going on walks more often. I think that was the key. But both dogs just seemed calmer at this house. We call it our "Serenity House" for that reason. Dogs are interesting creatures. I can't picture a little Yorkie running away--funny visual for me! I have a friend who owns two little Yorkies--"George" and "Gracie" and I am imagining a jailbreak. LOL! ;-)
I have an austrailian shepard collie mix he is 9 months old and nuetured. And he will not quit running away.we bought a chain to tie him up but when we take him off the chain he will stay around the house untill the neighbors female pitbull comes over then bam their gone. usually for hours,
how do i get him to stay home??
kmfr the dog isn't trained. You need to set up a fence. or keep the dog inside when you can't watch it. You should NEVER let a dog free-roam or live without a fence because you do not know what it can get into or the possible dangers that can occur when you can't watch the dog and you can't prevent harm without boundaries.
We have adopted a rescue beagle/pointer that is causing us some aggrevation. He escapes put of the yard now on a daily basis, almost every time we let him out in the yard to go to the washroom. I have done everything to reinforce the fence short of pouring concrete around the entire perimeter yet he still manages to dig a hole and squeeze through. When we take him to an off leash area he takes off and being a hound he lets his nose guide him wherever he wants. He seems to be fixated and doesn't come when called, seems as though he doesn't even hear us when he's onto a scent. Lately he escapes and doens't return until the following morning. I am very worried that he will get attacked by coyotes, bears or possibly hit by a car. I don't want to give up on him but his behavior is starting to rub off on our other dog. Help!!!
I would not let the dog off leash since he does like to roam and because he doesn't sound properly trained in obedience. One thing you may want to do is try a relaxant (or tranquelizer) from your vet. Sometimes just breaking the habit is needed. But, before you try that you'll want to figure out why the dog is trying to run out and roam. Does he get exercise? Is he bored?
Hi I have a shep/lab mix male. He is about 3 yrs old, and every chance he gets, he runs. He will push past my kids, and my mother to get out the door. We have a fenced in yard that he can only get out of when someone leaves it open. We have kept him on chain when more people are over. When he gets out its hard to get him to come back too. Its like a game of tag or something. I am at my wits end with him. I even watched him get hit by car..thank god he was fine scared him more than anything. He gets plenty of love and attention more from my two year old daughter than anyone lol, and gets exercise. I just don't know what else to do. I don't want to get rid of him, but I don't want to watch him get hurt or worse killed. please help..thank you. :)
Sounds like you need to work on basic obedience. Start with sit, stay, wait, etc. One at a time in low distraction areas and when the dog is fluent with the commands work towards a few distractions, and so on. Work on one command at a time.
I have a Jack Russell/ Aussie shepherd mix who is trained and walks on a leash, comes when he's called (in the house or back yard) but will not come when called off leash. like others have stated, when he pushes out the door he runs off and it is a game. He won't come back inside, even with food bribes. He actually peeks in to see if we're watching and if we're too close he runs again! I have one goat that he herds around so he gets that shepherd thing out of his system.
Start working on basic obedience for the dog pushing out the door. Train him to wait on command until you say it's ok for him to go out. If he's not listening off leash, then he's not really trained. Outside there is a lot of distractions. You'll want to start on leash with no distractions and slowly add them as you see the dog is consistantly obeying the commands. Watch that the dog doesn't harass the goat.
Thanks! I'll get back to the basics until I'm comfortable with him not taking off, then I think we'll head for the woods .
He is good with the goat, they sort of hang out then he herds him into the garage. I never leave them together when I'm gone tho, since he could hold him hostage there!
You have a good bit of work before you can just let the dog in the woods. But, it's a goal to strive for.
Our dog is a heeler mix. She likes to "herd" everything, even us. We only let her off leash when we are down at the stables. Some days she stays with us and "herds" the horses. Other days, like today, she's gone. She listens and obeys inside the house, when she is outside, unless on a leash, the adrenolin rushs to her ears and she can't/won't heard us or obey. Our next step is to try a vibrating collar. What do you think of them?
I think you need to continue working on basic obedience. If you feel you're past basic obedience, you need to do a refresher with them. There are too many distractions outside for a dog not 100% trained to listen.
I've never heard of vibrating collars, unless you mean a shock collar or a collar that is associated with an underground fence? In this case, you'll need to have an undergrown fence put in. Generally shock collars are not going to be for dogs who like to explore.
I think that you need to step back to basic obedience. Start with no distractions, when the dog is reliable add one distraction, when the dog is reliable, add a few more, and so on.
This is a great hub! My dog is very afraid of thunderstorms and the 4th/July...she climbs in my lap and I pet her and she feels better....this is so funny to come across your hub...I had recently written one on bad doggy behavior, and to kaitlan, I had a dog once who behaved in this manner and did the same thing...I purchased pieces of tin, left the dog in the house while I dug and buried the tin so she could not dig out in the same place..I let her out, watched her and when she went to dig, she couldn't get out....I did this in all the places she escaped...pretty soon she figured out she wasn't going to dig out any more and stopped...It did require watching her though...Great hub
Whitney05
My dog bubba hes a miniature pincher. and he likes to take off he always comes back. we actually found him that way he was a stray and all our kids were out there and called him in. So I just thought to let him run lose so he can visit his old friends. lol but I know that's bad so know im going to start walking him around on a leash.
Yea, that's just not really smart, especially if you know that the dog has a problem of running off. Common sense says if you found the dog as a stray that appeared in good health and standing, you'd keep the dog confined as it ran off (after trying to locate the owner, as a dog that small probably didn't run from another county but more of a nearby neighborhood).
More than likely the previous owners felt, "he's always come back" theory like you have, and well he didn't come back that time because you kept him. It can happen again.
Hopefully, you tried to find the owner, as I'm sure they'd like their dog back.
Hi! I too have a roaming neutered young male who doesn't know you exist when out of the fence, not on lead. I had read that a whistle training may help when used with training treats. I also have a shock collar for him, but would prefer not to use it. Thanks and have a great day. Becky
Sounds like you need to work on basic obedience. Shock collar really isn't necessary. Clicker training is very efficient.
Hi, I have a mix breed dog. I live in the middle of know where and there are acres and acres for him to run. But he runs off and crosses high ways. He is either chasing something, playing with another dog, or just running off. He isn't happy on his chain and I'm not happy when he is on his chain. But I can't have him running off all the time. He will ditch me in a heart beat as soon as something better comes up. He has acres to run, I take him for a long 4 mile walk at least two times a week, I am very good to him, he gets fed enough, and he sleeps on his dog bed in the house, why does he want to run off? I don't want to put an electric fence in, or a fence, I don't want to get a kennel, and I don't want him on his chain, I just want him to hang around the house. He is neutered. He is a mix of so many things....the vet doesn't even know. He is really big though. Some other helpful information might be that he is only a little over two years old and he has had 5 homes. People gave him away because of his size. He didn't even know his name when I got him. I really love this dog, and is very sweet and gentle, but I really need him to stay around the house. Any suggestions? Please help!!!
The dog should be walked daily, not just twice a week.
The only suggestions I have you've already said that you don't want. I would suggest kenneling the dog while you're not home.
Build a fence.
Okay, thanks. I'll try walking him daily in the morning...he'll like that! He loves his walks, he gets all excited and starts jumping and barking.
I think I will get a kennel. I usually keep him in the house when I'm gone, but often I need to go over-night somewhere else and I have to drop him off at a friend's house. A kennel would be good. Thanks.
I have one more question if you don't mind. There is a Pit bull that comes down to my house almost everyday. He has a collar but no tags. He isn't neutered either. When the pit bull comes around my dog and him run off. To where I don't know. But one day I got a call saying that they had my dog...he was about 3 miles away. The pit bull will often hang around here for hours and just whine and cry...waiting for my dog to be let off his chain. He comes around at least once a day, and every time he does, I have to chain him up. If I don't they'll run off...probably to the pit bulls house that lives 3 miles away and across a highway. I don't know where the pit bull lives, and I've always been a little scared of pit bulls so I have no idea what to do.
Thanks for your information, it has been very helpful!
Thanks again,
Angie
The only thing I can tell you about the other dog that's coming around is to try to find the owners and complain. There's nothing else you can do. You can call your local animal control and have them pick him up when he's loose.
As for keeping your dog from running off, if you know why he's doing it, correct it.
Build a fence. You can't expect a dog to stay, especially if you know he has problems running off without a fence. An outdoor kennel will do. Indoor crates.
It is your responsibility to keep your dog within a fence. If you don't he'll likely get hit or taken into animal control.
Okay, thanks for the information, it is very useful. =)
BTW what kind of dog is in the picture with you?
American Pit Bull Terrier
My male poodle (who is neutered) is a runner. He has a high predatory drive and chases just about anything that moves, including the lawn mower!! I have to be very careful to keep the gates locked because he is impossible to catch once loose. All of his obedience training goes out the window. He is a terror to even take on a walk.
If the dog doesn't listen in those situations, it means he's not fully trained. A trained dog should listen in all situations.
I have a male neutered border collie who is a little over a year old. Before we got him neutered he never ran away and was very friendly to everyone, dogs and people, but now he runs away daily, wont come when called (actually runs farther away when called), he barks non stop at the neighbors and their dogs. No one can catch him because he is so fast and the only way to get him back is to wait until he wants to come home and that can range from 5 minutes to 8 or 9 hours. I do walk him atleast 30 minutes daily, but sometimes even trying to get inside the door from his walk he will escape again. When he is inside he is the perfect dog in the world and listens to every comand. He has already be to obedience lessons twice and done well. We have a fenced in yard, but we have to stand outside with him so he wont jump over it or somehow find a way out (we have redone our fence over 5 times now trying to keep him inside it). We cannot take him out on a leash to go to the bathroom, because he will not use it, he wants his privacy? He will hold it untill he can't anylonger and will go in his crate, which is a pain to clean out. Our yard isn't small its almost 3 acres. We have even tried invisible fence along with regular fence, bark collar, shock collar everything! He is also a very smart dog and will even find ways to sneak outside the front door when you open it to leave. We keep him in a crate to sleep at night and when we leave the house, he loves his crate and we don't even have to lock it for him to stay in it. We have honestly tried everything to keep him from running escaping. I love him to death, but can't handle him not listening anymore! What should I do?
Sounds like you need basic obedience training and more exercise. Border collies are high energy dogs- 30 minutes a day isn't nearly enough. Also sounds very unlikely all that has happened and nothing has worked. No offense, but the story just doesn't sound plausible.
gamergirl says:
13 months ago
Very informative, as always! Thank you so much Whitney. :D Just like your other hubs about puppies, I'm going to print this out for reference.