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<\/a><\/p>\nTo paraphrase words from a famous song by Mr. Springsteen, some dogs are “born to run”.\u00a0 It\u2019s helpful to remember that dogs\u2019 living ancestors, wolves, roam naturally.\u00a0 For them, roaming is a natural behavior that involves scouting, hunting, exploration, and discovery.<\/p>\n
If you often find your dog escaping from the yard or charging out of the door whenever he gets a chance, it is extremely frustrating and annoying and is potentially very dangerous to your pet and possibly to drivers on the road. Free-roaming dogs, the runaways, can get into lots of trouble and a good number of them end up in animal shelters, or even worse, hit by cars on the roads and highways.<\/p>\n
Depending on a dog\u2019s history, or even their breed, there are many reasons why they feel the need to run away.\u00a0 I cannot stress enough the importance of having your pet microchipped<\/em> and registering his chip information into a database so that if he flies the coop, there is a greater chance of him being returned to you. Please see my article on Microchipping Your Dog or Cat<\/a>, dated March 7.\u00a0 And, always have a safety collar with a slider id tag<\/a> so that vital information is readily available for anyone who finds your dog.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reproductive Drive<\/strong> \u2013 Dogs who have not been neutered often wander because they have detected a female in heat, even when they are miles away.\u00a0 It is important to have your pet spayed or neutered to avoid this from happening.\u00a0 Please see my article Spay \/ Neuter Your Pe<\/a>t, dated February 22.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Boredom or Loneliness<\/strong> \u2013 Dogs are social creatures who need interaction, physical exercise, and mental stimulation. \u00a0A curious and active dog in a small yard or small area in the house is an instant candidate for becoming an escape artist.<\/p>\n Fears and Phobias<\/strong> – Thunderstorms and fireworks- It is natural for dogs to be afraid of loud noises. The sounds trigger their nervous system, and they become anxious or afraid. Running away from the noise is a natural instinct.\u00a0 Also, there may have been an incident where the dog was scared and caused him to escape from the house.<\/p>\n Moving and Trying to Get Back Home\u00a0<\/strong>–\u00a0If you have recently moved, your dog doesn\u2019t really understand that concept and doesn\u2019t realize that he is now in his new home.\u00a0 All he knows is that he\u2019s in a strange, unfamiliar place and needs to get back to the home that he knows. See my article Moving With Your Pets<\/a>.<\/p>\n Adventure \/ Something Excites Them –\u00a0<\/strong>Excitement can cause some dogs to run away.\u00a0 If your dog has ever spotted a squirrel or rabbit while you are on a walk and starts to run after it, you have seen how the excitement of this natural urge can cause the dog to want to break free and run.<\/p>\n Spay and Neuter Your Dog<\/strong> \u2013 Neuter your male dog, and if your dog is female, have her spayed so that her hormones don\u2019t draw male dogs from miles around when she is in heat. Not only can this cut down on runaway dogs, but it will help to keep down the overwhelming population of unwanted puppies.<\/p>\n Make Your Yard Escape-Proof<\/strong> \u2013 Ensure that your yard is fenced with a sturdy, solid fence to prevent your dog\u2019s escape and unwanted visits from neighboring dogs.\u00a0 Ties, runs, and electric fences are not recommended because they don\u2019t keep others out and they seem to increase territorial aggression in some dogs.<\/p>\n Enrich Your Dog\u2019s Life at Home<\/strong> \u2013 Always, always reward good behavior, and always interact with your dog. Using reward-based training to teach your dog good manners and new tricks will go a long way to enrich his life and make him easier to live with.\u00a0 In addition, the brain work he experiences will help him to relax and the boredom will diminish.\u00a0 When your dog goes outside, go with him.\u00a0 Play with him, talk to him, take long walks and enjoy the interaction with him.\u00a0 If you work and have to leave him alone for long hours, think about enrolling him in a doggie daycare<\/em> so that he can interact with other pups in a controlled and safe environment.<\/p>\n Calming Techniques for Fear of Thunderstorms or Fireworks<\/strong> – Always reward calm behavior and don\u2019t wait for your dog to act fearful to give him attention. Praise him and give him affection when he\u2019s completely calm so that he knows that this is the correct way to behave.<\/p>\n Use a snug-fitting calming jacket like Thundershirt<\/a>, Storm Defender<\/a>, or Anxiety Wrap <\/a>when it\u2019s not raining and not after the storm had begun.\u00a0 Having your dog wear the shirt before the storm, when he\u2019s happy and relaxed will help him associate the sensation of wearing it with feeling calm.<\/p>\n Create a safe, quiet, storm-proof (or fireworks noises-proof) place for your pet. If your dog heads for a certain place in your house when it storms or when there are loud noises, make that his safe zone by adding a blanket, toy, water dish, and treats.\u00a0 Crates can be safe spots, but it is important to ensure that they are as far away from the storm sounds and noises as possible.<\/p>\n If You\u2019ve Moved Make Your Dog\u2019s New Home Familiar<\/strong> \u2013 Surround your dog with his favorite belongings that smell like his old home. Always lead your dog around the new space so that he can sniff everything and get acquainted with it.\u00a0 Walk him around outside and around the neighborhood to get him acclimated to his new place.\u00a0\u00a0 See article Moving with Your Pets<\/a>, dated May 16, for more information.<\/p>\n Door \u201cBolters\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 If your dog bolts through an open door to get outside and run away, never open a door that leads outside unless you have first made it impossible for him to exit.\u00a0 Whether answering the doorbell of if you are leaving the house, you must be ready to block his exit every time. This will set the groundwork and make training easier.<\/p>\nReasons Why They Run<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nTips and Solutions to Stop Dogs from Running Away<\/span><\/h4>\n