A fenced backyard is great for pets. Almost all dogs love to roam around in the backyard, sniff at things and rest when they are tired. Though some of them are good at being obedient and play in the yard but others may sneak away to find greener pastures.
In situations like this, you will want to make sure that they remain safe and don’t get into any mischief. Hasn’t it happened so many times that one minute you can see him from the kitchen window and in the other second, you can’t spot him at all?
Well, even though you always worry about his safety, there are many things you can do to make sure his sneaky ways reduce or stop altogether.
Why Your Dog Loves Being an Escape Artist
Dogs are complex creatures. They may be thinking of gazillion things before they run away and escape from the yard. They may want to roam around to avoid the feelings of loneliness.
He may be on the lookout to meet other pet animals to play with them. They are territorial creatures and may want to ward off any other animal from approaching their area’s boundary.
Its entirely possible that they found something great on the other side like a huge playing field, a new dog to play with or just a water body that he wants to play in. Some may feel like running behind every squirrel or bird which is passing on the way.
In the midst of all seriousness, you can be sure that dogs are great at being escape artists and each one is different from the other!
Few prefer to jump around and run away. Some share an affinity with rabbits who keep burrowing away till they are out of the yard area. Some dogs are master chewers who consistently keep making holes to escape from the yard. You may be amazed to see that a few intelligent dogs can even practice multiple ways to run and escape.
Keeping Your Escape Artist at Home
Climbers
Take time to extend the fence. Just add a section to the top of it which will tilt inward. With this inward tilt, most dogs will prefer not to cross it. Making a lean in or an L footer will help to create inside awning. Dogs are deterred from coming down the L-footer as it creates an awning kind of deterrent.
Any item kept close to the fence on which a dog can climb should be removed or kept in another place. Things like a woodpile, children’s slides and a bench can help him jump over the fence and shouldn’t be kept close the edge of the fence.
Get landscaping done around the fence as it helps to keep pets inside while being great for the environment at the same time.
Diggers
Add an L-footer to the fence’s bottom which should be inward facing. Hardware cloth and chicken wire can be used to attach it to the fence’s base.
You can also opt for laying down on the grass, which can be held down with planters, rocks and gravel. Using a concrete footer is bound to discourage even the most active digger.
Border patrollers
Any dog which is protective by nature, especially guard dogs or watch dogs run outside the yard at the sight of danger. It is advisable to block their view and not allow them to add reed and bamboo fencing to the fence. Block the view with zip ties.
Planting climbing shrubs and vines along the fence is another way to protect the dog from running away.
Tips for Keeping Your Escape Artist Safe
We have lined up various measures to keep your pet inside the yard and be safe at the same time.
- Use airlocks to keep gates locked and keep the pet safe. Create small spaces of the fence and make multiple barriers to entry.
For gates left unopened or left open accidentally, airlocks are pretty effective. In situations where the pet is super active, this helps to make sure that your canine friend stays safe as they will need to go through several gates to exit.
- Get a puppy bumper which is actually a collar with a stuffing of the fibrefill. It helps to keep small dogs safe and not allow them to slip through small openings and holes.
- Adding hooks, eye closures and locks on doors with loose latches helps to make the pets stay inside and avoids them from escaping. Adding latches on fences and gates will make them more secure.
- Do your best to make the yard a happy and safe play area for your dog. Doing this will make sure that he remains happy, engaged and doesn’t try to escape. Water and shade should be available in plenty to make him feel comfortable. You can even scatter his toys all around.
The best thing to do is to be involved whenever your canine friend is in the yard. It’s not advisable to leave him alone in the yard as he may feel isolated and roam around looking for someone to play with.
Spend quality time with him in the yard by playing with him, brushing him or simply training him. With you around, he will never feel like running away even for a minute.