How to Keep Your Dog from Escaping

There are many dogs that think that the grass is greener in someone else’s garden. They will break free in an attempt to meet other dogs, chase wildlife or just find some entertainment. This is a massive problem for dog owners that want to make sure their pet is safe at all times. So, what can we do to stop them escaping?

How to keep your dog from escaping a fenced garden

Many pet owners will have some form of clear, strong boundary around the property. A fence or thick hedge is usually enough to keep animals in place. But, there are still some dogs that will test the limits of the perimeter in an attempt to escape. Some will try and dig their way out. This is where it helps to set the fence into the ground. Burying the panels means there is no inviting gap to claw and dig away at. Rocks and thorny bushes can also help.

Other dogs will try and jump to scramble over the top. The height, texture and angle of the fence could make things much more difficult. Adapt the fence so that it is too difficult to break free. Don’t do anything that makes the fence dangerous or poses a risk of injury.

How to contain your dog when you don’t have a fence

Not all properties have a fence or physical boundary around them. It might not be practical to try and erect one if your dog is a tenacious digger or keen jumper. There may also be building restrictions or neighbours that stop you from setting a fence up.

This is where it can help to set up an invisible dog fence in the garden. These fences use static, vibration or noise stimuli to warn dogs away from the boundary. A signal transmits to a training collar and offers reliable correction. Many dog owners like to use electric underground dog fences. This is labour intensive, as it involves laying wire under the perimeter. But, it can be effective with the right settings and training. Different models have different ranges, settings and additional features. Compare the best underground dog fences for the right product for you.

Always take the time to train dogs properly for the best results

Whatever type of boundary you choose, you need to put in the time and effort to train the animal. With fenced-in gardens this means plenty of behavioural training to teach dogs not to dog or jump at the boundary. Corrective measures are helpful, but must include some positive reinforcement. Work with the animal in a slow, patient manner – especially when using training collars for dog fences.

Make sure to reduce the dog’s desire to escape

Finally, it also helps if the dog has little interest in leaving in the first place. Owners that work on the desires of their animal can see a big improvement. Dogs that are spayed or neutered have a reduced desire to seek out other dogs.

Dogs that are entertained in the garden are less likely to chase smells and noises from neighbouring properties. Learning how to keep your dog from escaping isn’t just about the physical boundary of the home. Improve the fencing, but also work on behavioural and training issues too.

By Guest Author

Puppy Education is a site dedicated for dog owners on how to train and look after their puppy. If you have a puppy and would like to share your own experiences and knowledge, you can write for Puppy Education.