Why is your dog trying to escape?
Even 8 foot high fences with electric wire around the top will not stop a determined dog. This is not the answer! There is always a very good reason that your dog is trying to escape. Let me show you why and how to stop the behaviour.
Escaping is generally talked about as the specific problem of a dog who is continually trying to escape from a property or car. However it can sometimes be used regarding a dog that will not come when called. In this scenario the issue is as much to do with having a very poor re-call as well as escaping.
So why does your dog escape?……
Escaping to find the owner
With most escaping cases that I deal with this is the most common reason for a dog trying to escape. It occurs when the owner is away from the house. If this is the case then it is likely your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.
If your dog is trying to escape when you are home then the behaviour is unlikely to be a caused by separation anxiety. Look for other signs of stress There will be another reason the dog is wanting to get out.
Escaping to get away from something
The reason for the dog wanting to get out of the property can vary immensely. Sometimes the reason a dog wants to get out is because it is trying to escape from something in shear terror. It could be it is trying to run from an activity such as a noisy lawnmower or a child in the house that is screaming. The list is endless.
Even when you know what your dog is scared of you still need to know how to show the dog it does not need to fear the thing. I can help you.
Escaping to do something it likes
Alternatively a dog will try to escape because there is something that it wants to do. It maybe there is another dog it wants to play with, it could be bored or it could be desperate to run!
I have worked with many people who have an escaping dog who have exercised it to the point of exhaustion and it still tries to get out! This is because they are missing one vital part of the equation for a happy dog.
For personal help with your escaping dog see the home consultation page.
Zippy the escape artist
10 year old Huntaway X German Shepherd
I called Dan because Zippy had an unusual behavioural problem in that she would run away when we came home. It got serious when Zippy seriously damaged her leg trying to escape. Not only that but she would scale two or three fences/gates to get away and sometimes even jumped off our deck onto the concrete drive (a drop of about 3 metres).
This started when I was pregnant and continued after the baby arrived due to our two year old stressing her out by his typical toddler behaviour.
Dan has helped us not only stop her from wanting to escape from home but also given us a better understanding of how a dog’s mind works and why they act the way they do.
I wish that we had had this fantastic advice and help when we had our first dog who had all the other ‘normal’ dog issues such as barking, jumping at people etc.
Zippy no longer tries to escape now and we have not resorted to any electric fencing or electric collars.
(updated 5 months later…)
We have moved house from our property and are very pleased to say that despite no proper fencing or gates Zippy still has not gone walkabout !
Many thanks Dan
Regards,
Roslyn and Karl – Torbay
He comes every time you call him
Running away off leash, Pulling on leash, Barking
Bertimus would not be here today if it wasn't for Doggy Dan, his training of humans saved Bertie's life and my Mum and myself are so very greatful.
He comes every time when you call him, he's stopped Barking, he's no longer aggressive, doesn't pull on the lead, doesn't jump and best of all………… My buddy is free!
I truly did not think anyone could change a 6 year old entire dog, but Dan proved me wrong. We now have two beautiful dogs that respect us as the leaders.
Thank you Dan, I don't know what else more I can say. (To read the full story click here)
Kaitlin and Bertimus, Gaylene and Marilyn
Taupaki – Auckland
Amber is off leash and perfect!
Running away off leash, Hyperactive and pulling on the leash
I so wanted to be able to let Amber my Spoodle run free on the beach and at the park, however she was not responding to any of my efforts at training . If I let her off the lead she just ran away and I spent a lot of time trying to catch her. I so wanted to be able to leave my doors open and know that she would not run away.
Dan teaches you how to be the pack leader – now Amber is happier, listening and is such a relaxed dog. We now go for walks and she is off the lead. She runs free and is such a happy dog. In summertime my doors are open and she does not run away. Life is blissful for all the family.
Dan knows what he is talking about, his relaxed nature and his ability to come into your home and show you where you are going wrong and to give you all that you need to change your lives. All my family and friends and even strangers who come to the house say what a lovely dog I have.
Thanks so much Dan. I tell everyone I can about you and that it is money well spent.
regards
Tracy Middleton and son Nathan 🙂
Swanson, Auckland
Billy the bunnie chaser!
No recall, running away, escaping and not coming back
Billy has turned a huge corner since your visit. The techniques you showed us have worked a treat. Last Monday I changed his routine a bit, by letting him go (without his lead) for a bathroom stop first thing in the morning, which he did, and returned straight away for his breakfast!!
After his breakfast, and without his rope attached he went for a bunny hunt, and when I called him – he returned. I could not believe my eyes, then afterward he then went for a swim in our dam and not the neighbours for a change. Then he returned.
In the last few days he has been rope free and he has spent a lot of time close to me, then just going away for a quick bunny scan but returning when I need him. We have turned a corner, in his life. He is soooooo much easier to handle, and even though he can go away for hours on the farm he has not left the boundry. He returns, and stays a while for a rest before he takes off again.
At the very moment is sitting beside the outdoor fire open on his bed and he has not escaped down the stairs.
We can not thank you enough Dan,
Regards Lyn Heaphy and Billy!
Riverhead
Whatever the reason I can help you identify the cause and then help you stop the unwanted behaviour. For personal help with your escaping dog see the home consultation page.
