Our canine pals run away for all sorts of reasons – but it’s more serious if your dog keeps running away on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. Here are some tips on how to keep your dog safe inside your yard or home…and the smartest way to ensure you never lose them again.

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My dog keeps running away – what gives?

Dogs escape for a variety of reasons. They may run away because, for example, they see a squirrel and their natural hunting instinct kicks in. Or your pup may run off to start a playful game of chase and expect you to follow them. The reasons aren’t 100% clear – but it’s usually a combination of temperament, activity levels, and instincts.

If your dog is a chronic runaway, they are not going to stop this behavior on their own. It’s up to you to create a safe, enjoyable environment in your yard and reinforce positive behaviors so your pup will never run off again.

If your dog keeps running away, it could be due to:

💡 It’s why dog parents around the world – just like you – are strapping GPS trackers to their runaway buddies’ collars as an emergency measure. (Which we’ll cover in detail a little further below.)

8 tips to help if your dog keeps running away

1) Check your fence & gates

Got a dog who frequently escapes from the yard – even though you have an outdoor dog fence? Start by inspecting your physical fence for damage.

  • Dogs can squeeze through smaller spaces than you might expect. Look for places where your pooch has dug a hole beneath the fence.
  • Block any holes with lumber or chicken wire to prevent future dog escapes.
  • Your dog may be stepping on patio furniture or toys to climb up and over the fence. So keep an eye out for these especially.
  • Some very athletic or highly motivated dogs can even jump over a fence! They take a running leap and over the fence they go! The best way to keep jumpers inside a fenced yard is to extend the height of your fence. 
  • Check the latches on your fence gates. Does the latch click shut when you close the gate behind you? If the gate doesn’t always latch securely, you can bet that the dog knows it and is planning an escape from the yard. 

Read more: Dog Jumping Fence? How To Handle An Escape Artist Dog

2) Revisit your dog’s basic training

Your dog’s instincts might override their training from time to time. So it’s a good idea to revisit the most important dog commands like Sit, Stay, or Come.) With a bit of practice and consistency, you can easily avoid the frustration of constant dog escapes.

Because in the end, a well-trained dog is a safe dog. So you could:

  • Enroll at a dog obedience school with your buddy to learn some dog training techniques together.
  • Reinforce your dog’s “good” behaviors with consistent rewards. (And ignore any “bad” behaviors.) Check out clicker training for dogs, which is a method built on positive reinforcement.
  • Stay mindful of your own behavior. For example, if your dog escapes, do you run after them? If so, your dog may view this as playtime and escape over and over just for fun.

Training your dog requires consistency and patience, but the results are worth it. Any time you spend training your dog builds trust between the two of you – while keeping them safe.

3) Avoid punishing your dog for running away

Punishment may not be an effective way to keep your dog from running off. It doesn’t actually address the root cause of why your dog is doing any kind of behavior – all it does is create a negative association with you. (And “home.”)

How come? Well, because in a nutshell, dogs associate punishment with whatever they are doing at the moment the correction is delivered. If you punish your dog when they arrive back home, the dog will associate being punished with returning home. As a result, your pup may become afraid of you or your home – and might be less likely to return. (Especially so if they’re a newly-adopted dog that doesn’t 100% know or trust you yet.)

So unless you catch your dog in the act of escaping, it’s unlikely that punishing them will reduce any runaway behavior. Rather, you’re better off giving your dog extra praise, pets, and treats when they ARE behaving themselves.

4) Watch out for open doors

Expecting a bunch of guests over for Christmas or New Year’s? You’ll want to watch your doors (including garage doors and yard gates) with any increased foot traffic to your home. At the first sight of an open door or gate, your escape artist dog might attempt to make a run for it.

So instead:

  • Make sure to put your pup on a secure leash before opening any doors or gates.
  • Pay extra attention commands like Come and Sit while you attach a leash securely to your dog’s collar or harness.
  • Train your dog to Stay when you open the front door to grab an Amazon package, pick up your Uber Eats, or welcome a guest over.
  • Avoid multitasking when you open a door or gate. Keep your eyes on your dog and watch their behavior.

If backyard escapes continue to happen when you open a fence gate, consider adding an airlock or vestibule to your fence. This system creates double-gated entry and exit from your yard and a safe, enclosed area where you can leash up your dog before heading out.

5) Keep your dog well-exercised

Puppies and adolescent dogs have a ton of energy to spare. By taking your dog for a walk every day, you’ll help them use the excess energy that they might otherwise spend digging, climbing, or jumping the fence.

Daily walks keep your dog in good physical condition and prevent canine obesity, which can threaten your pup’s health and well-being. Walking also helps your dog benefit from the sensory stimulation of the sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors. Plus, your dog gets to spend time with their favorite person – you!

6) Watch out for any boredom or anxiety

Just allowing your pup to run free within a fenced yard may not meet all of the dog’s needs. You still need to make your yard interesting and comfortable to reduce your dog’s urge to run off. Because as it turns out, boredom is one of the key reasons why dogs run away. So you could:

  • Add a variety of toys for your pup to play with and change them occasionally.
  • Make sure you or your family members spend quality time in the yard interacting with the dog, perhaps for a quick daily training session.
  • Add a rain shelter, access to shade, food, and water and the yard may become your dog’s happy place. 

Read more: 10+ Tips For A Fun, Safe Dog-Friendly Backyard

7) Keep an eye out for what spooks your dog

Another reason your dog might make an escape attempt? Loud noises. Dogs tend to have noise anxiety – which is why more dogs go missing around the 4th of July than any other day in the year. So if you can, plan to have your dog indoors when stressful events are likely, such as construction, thunderstorms, or fireworks.

8) Watch out for your dog’s mating instinct

The mating instinct is powerful – and especially so if you haven’t gotten your buddy spayed or neutered. Preventing an intact dog from escaping can be next to impossible if there’s a, well, paw-fect mate in the neighborhood. That’s why it’s best to neuter males or spay females as soon as recommended by your veterinarian. This firstly reduces roaming behavior. Secondly, you’ll help reduce pet overpopulation and decrease the number of unwanted pets that are euthanized each year. 

Read more: Dog In Heat? Here’s Everything You Need To Know.

Two vital steps to ensure your runaway dog’s safety

You’ve fixed your fences, fixed your dog, trained them, tired them out…and they’re still escaping? Now’s the time for emergency measures. Specifically, two key steps to ensure max safety the next time they escape.

Get your dog microchipped

First things first, get your dog a microchip ID – so that they’re easy to identify outdoors. They’re a legal requirement in a number of countries around the world, including many US states. So make sure to check your local laws (or those of any country you’re traveling to on vacation.)

Microchips work like a permanent ID tag for your dog. A vet can implant them in under 10 minutes between your dog’s shoulder blades. Plus, you can add your contact details to the microchip database to identify you as your dog’s parent.

Now if your runaway dog makes an escape attempt, a helpful stranger might take them to a nearby vet or local animal shelter. Where they can scan your dog’s microchip, find your contact details, and inform you where to pick your dog up. Because sadly, if a shelter takes in your dog and can’t identify them, your dog might end up being rehomed. Or worse, euthanized.

Two dogs inside a cage at an animal shelter

⚠️ Just remember: a microchip alone can’t prevent your dog from being picked up by a dog thief. (Or just someone who decides to “adopt” your buddy as their own!) Rather, a microchip can only help someone identify your dog – if they scan for it in the first place.

Read more: Dog Tracker Chip: What Are Dog Microchips vs GPS Trackers?

Which is why we’d also recommend you…

Get your dog a GPS tracker

If you’ve got a chronic escapee at home, a dedicated dog GPS tracker may be the emergency solution you need – while you continue to train your dog to prevent any runaway attempts.

Here’s an example. With your trusty Tractive GPS strapped to your dog’s collar, you can set up a “safe zone” around your home or backyard via the mobile app. Your tracker starts monitoring your dog’s movements right away.

⚠️ But the moment your dog tries escaping this “safe zone”…

Escape alerts via the Tractive GPS mobile app

…you get an escape alert to your phone right away.

So you can intervene, bring them back to safety, or even warn your neighbors about a potential “yard invasion” attempt.

Even better, since your Tractive device works with GPS – you can even monitor your safe zones remotely. (Like if you’re in another state – or even while on vacation, if you’re on a Premium subscription.) Or just hit “LIVE” to start tracking your escape artist in real-time right away.

Set Up A Safe Zone

Wrapping up: Try these tips if your dog keeps running away

You might think the world of them – but if your dog keeps running away, they’re always at risk for injury or becoming a nuisance in your neighborhood. And as a responsible dog parent, it’s on you to ensure their safety, right?

So if your dog keeps running away:

  • Secure your gates and fences.
  • Revisit your dog’s basic training. Focus on commands like Come, Sit, and Stay to teach them not to bolt at the sight of an open door or gate.
  • Positive reinforcement of “good” behaviors beats punishing “bad” behaviors.
  • Tire out your dog with daily walks and playtime.
  • Prevent your dog from getting bored or anxious, both of which can lead them to run away. (Like if your neighbors are bursting fireworks this New Year’s.)
  • Consider getting your dog spayed or neutered to reduce their mating or roaming instincts.

And finally…

Get your dog a microchip – so a vet or local animal shelter can identify them (and you, their parent.)

💡 And if you’ve got a chronic escapee at home, a GPS tracker can help you follow your dog’s every move – as they make their every move.

A man biking with his dog through the woods

“I love Tractive. We just brought home a new addition to our family from the shelter; a female two year old Siberian husky.

Even though our property is fenced, huskies are known escape artists and Tractive keeps my mind at ease. The live tracking and fencing features are fantastic and the ability to connect to your home wifi really saves on battery life. Bonus: purchasing the five year plan saves money.”

– Ian Storm, US (Source: Trustpilot)

packaging of the Tractive GPS DOG tracker

Always know where your dog is

Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.

Discover Tractive GPS

And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help create a safer world for our furry friends together.