Dog Keeps Running Away? 5 Tips To Prevent An Escape
Got an escape artist dog at home? There might be a bunch of reasons behind this behavior. Here are a couple of ways to prevent your buddy from escaping - for good.
With all the mischief they can get up to otherwise, there’s nothing more stressful than when your dog keeps running away. The first time? Cute. The second, third, fourth…tenth time? Frustrating – if not terrifying, when you consider how your little Houdini could get hit by a car, pick a fight with the wrong pet (or predator), or be lured into a dog thief’s car with some treats.
Dogs run away for all sorts of reasons – but it’s more serious if yours keeps running away on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. So it’s time to figure out how to keep your dog safe inside your yard or home…andthe smartest way to ensure you never lose them again.
Some runaway dog breeds are also more likely to make an escape attempt than others. The reasons aren’t 100% clear – but it’s usually a combination of temperament, activity levels, instincts, and…
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.
⚠️ Even the most well-trained dogs can fall prey to their own “flight” instinctwhen scared or anxious – no matter how low-maintenance you think they are.
It’s why dog parents around the world – just like you – are strapping GPS trackers to their runaway buddies’ collars.
💡Meaning the next time your dog runs away, you just need to glance at your phone to track them:
In real-time,
Over an unlimited range,
While on vacation – or 175 countries if you’re on a Premium subscription
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.
Don’t have a physical fence? Try a virtual one, for a change
Let’s face it: physical fences aren’t just cumbersome and time-consuming to set up. They’re also pretty expensive. (And that’s just upfront costs without factoring in how much you’ll have to shell out just for maintenance and upkeep. Not to mention annoying HOA requests!)
And the minute your dog tries to step out of the safe zone? You get an escape alert on your phone right away.
So a smarter, more affordable, pet-friendly, vet-friendly alternative to setting up an invisible fence or an e-collar that uses static shocks to boundary train your pets.
Your dog’s instincts might override their training from time to time. So it’s a good idea to revisit their basic obedience training. (I.e., 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.
💡In general, pay extra attention to…well, when you give your dog attention.
Do you tend to only pay them the most attention when they’re off exploring your neighbors’ backyards?
Or do you drive the neighborhood to collect them into the car? If your dog enjoys car rides, this technique may reinforce the escape behavior. (Your dog may have trained you instead of the other way around!)
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.
Should you punish 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. (I.e., when they stay within a safe zone or your backyard.)
How to stop your dog from running out an open door or gate
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.
Getting your dog enough exercise can keep them from running away
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!
💡And one of the best ways to stay motivated to get your dog out for more walks – even if the weather’s rubbish outdoors? The little dopamine rush you get from:
Hitting their activity goals,
And comparing how active your buddy is to other, similar dogs around the world
Both of which your trusty Tractive GPS comes equipped with – so you can track your buddy’s daily exercise, stay motivated, and make some new dog friends, all in one!
Because with its built-in motion detector, your Tractive device doesn’t just monitor where your dog’s off wandering. Rather, it also logs in your buddy’s active minutes throughout the day.
Which, with time, can help you figure out:
What’s a normal level of activity for your dog
Where your dog ranks on your community leaderboard – in terms of daily exercise compared to other, similar dogs
If there’s a weird drop in your dog’s activity – which could signal they might not be feeling well. (So you can bring them to the vet for an early preventive checkup.)
Stay in shape together
Set daily goals. See if your dog is getting enough active time and rest. Compare with similar breeds. Competitive? Challenge your friends, and rise in the global rankings.
A bored or anxious dog might be more likely to run away
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.
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.
Your dog may escape because they’re…seeking companionship
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.
Dogs become sexually mature when they are about 6 months old. 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.
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.
⚠️ 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.
Don’t confuse microchips with GPS trackers, which can actually help you take an active role in tracking down a runaway dog.
Imagine being able to follow your dog’s live location the minute they make an escape attempt? Or pre-empt an escape attempt with an alert to your phone? You get all that – and more – when you’ve invested in a dedicated dog GPS tracker.
And all you need to do is hit “LIVE” on your Tractive mobile app – and locate your missing dog with just a glance at your phone.
💡If your dog is a chronic escapee, this may be the emergency solution you need – while you continue to train your dog to prevent any runaway attempts.
You can also easily locate an off-leash pet who’s off wandering a wide-open space in a rural area with a GPS tracker.
Like Sally the Samoyed, who needs a ton of exercise to stay healthy – and whose daily wandering worries her mom Clair to no end.
In Clair’s words:
“She requires lots of exercise and off the leash play to burn off all her energy…however, there’s always that fear, What if I lose sight of her, how will I call her back?“
“That’s where our Tractive GPS has been invaluable. Whenever Sally’s been gone exploring for more than a minute, I can turn on the “LIVE tracking” and see exactly where she is.
“To us, Sally wearing her Tractive GPS means she spends less time leashed and has more time for off the leash play, which means a happier and more thoroughly exercised pup.
This means, she can now be safely allowed off leash in new and unfamiliar places.“
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. Don’t have the budget for a physical fence? Set up a Virtual Fence instead, which alerts you when your dog’s trying to sneak past a safe zone.
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. A well-exercised dog is less likely to make an escape attempt. Plus, if you track their daily activity, you’re more likely to stay motivated and accountable to their exercise routine over time.
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.)
Just remember: a microchip alone can’t prevent your dog from being lured into a dog thief’s car.
💡Rather, that’s where tracking your dog in real-time and over an unlimited range can be a lifesaver.
So with a GPS dog tracker attached to your buddy’s collar, you can rest easy knowing you can follow their every step – no matter how far they roam, or where you are in the world.
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.
