why do dogs run away, why dogs run away
Why do dogs run away
Feb
Why do dogs run away?
By Will Bangura, M.S., CBCC-KA-CPDT-KA, (Dog Behaviorist,) Certified Dog Behavior Consultant.
Why do dogs run away? Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners, but sometimes they may try to run away and escape their home or yard. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior can help owners prevent it and ensure their dogs stay safe.
Why do dogs run away?
Boredom.
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. If they are not getting enough, they may start looking for ways to entertain themselves, including trying to escape.
Lack of exercise.
Just like humans, dogs need to exercise regularly to maintain good physical and mental health. If a dog isn’t getting enough physical activity, it may become restless and try to escape to burn off excess energy.
Separation anxiety.
Some dogs have a strong attachment to their owners and may experience canine separation anxiety when separated from them. This can lead to destructive behavior and escape attempts.
Fear or phobia.
Dogs can develop a fear or phobia of certain things, such as loud noises, fireworks, or thunderstorms. If a dog feels threatened, it may try to run away and escape to find a safe place.
Instinct.
Dogs have a natural instinct to roam and explore their environment. If they are kept in a small yard or confined space for too long, they may try to run away escape to satisfy this instinct.
Health issues.
Sometimes, dogs may try to run away and escape due to a medical issue, such as pain, discomfort, or an itch they cannot reach. If a dog suddenly starts trying to run away and escape, it may be worth taking them to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist to rule out any underlying health problems.
Attention seeking.
Some dogs may try to escape and run away to get their owner’s attention. This can be due to a lack of affection or socialization, and owners may need to adjust their behavior to prevent escape attempts.
Dogs may try to escape for various reasons, ranging from boredom and lack of exercise to fear or instinct. Owners need to understand why their dog is trying to escape and make any necessary adjustments to their care and behavior to prevent it from happening. Providing plenty of physical and mental stimulation, exercise, and affection can help keep dogs happy and reduce the likelihood of escape attempts.
What you can do to help teach a dog not to escape and run away at first is to have the dog on a leash and supervise the dog. When a dog is supervised, and on a leash, they are less likely to try to escape and run away as they are under constant observation. This means that any attempts to escape can be quickly detected and dealt with. Other benefits of increased supervision and keeping a leash on the dog are:
Benefits of supervision and leashes early in training to help prevent a dog from running away.
Increased Supervision.
When a dog is supervised and on a leash, they are less likely to try to run away escape and run away as they are under constant observation. This means that any attempts to escape can be quickly detected and dealt with. Other benefits of increased supervision and keeping a leash on the dog are:
Limited Freedom.
Being on a leash limits the dog’s freedom, and they cannot move far from their owner. This means that they are less likely to be able to find a way to escape.
Avoiding Triggers
Keeping a dog on a leash and supervised can help to prevent them from being exposed to triggers that might cause them to try to run away and escape. For example, if the dog is afraid of other animals, being on a leash can prevent them from being near other animals, reducing its anxiety and the likelihood of escape.
Better Bonding.
Supervising a dog and walking them on a leash can help to improve the bond between the dog and its owner. This can make the dog feel more secure and less likely to try to escape.
Training Opportunity.
When a dog is supervised, and on a leash, it provides an opportunity for training and behavior modification. For example, if the dog is trying to run away and escape because they are bored or lack mental stimulation, providing more opportunities for mental and physical stimulation through training and exercise can help address the behavior’s root cause.
It’s important to note that while keeping a dog supervised and on a leash can help prevent them from trying to escape, it’s not a guarantee. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the leash and any equipment used are safe and secure to prevent accidents. Suppose a dog tries to escape despite being supervised and on a leash. In that case, it’s important to seek the help of a professional dog trainer to determine the underlying cause of the behavior and develop an appropriate training plan.
Understanding how dogs try to escape and run away can help owners take preventive measures to keep their pets safe.
Digging.
Some dogs have the instinct to dig and may use it to escape their yard. They may dig under the fence, creating a tunnel for them to crawl through.
Climbing.
Some dogs are athletic and may try to climb over the fence or walls to escape their yard and run away. They may use nearby objects as stepping stones or use their paws and claws to climb.
Jumping.
Some dogs are high jumpers and may try to jump over the fence or walls to escape their yard. They may use the momentum from running or jumping to reach the top of the fence.
Chewing.
Dogs may try to escape and run away by chewing through barriers, such as fences or gates. This can be especially common for breeds with strong jaws, such as pit bulls or German shepherds.
Pushing or pulling.
Some dogs may try to escape by pushing or pulling on the fence or gate until it opens. They may use their body weight or use their paws to push or pull.
Slipping out of collars or harnesses.
Dogs may try to escape and run away by slipping out of their collars or harnesses when they are being taken for a walk or allowed outside. This can be especially common for dogs with slender necks or those that are skilled at slipping out of their collars.
Breaking windows or doors.
In some cases, dogs may try to escape by breaking windows or doors. This can be especially common for dogs with separation anxiety, who may become destructive when they are left alone.
Dogs may try to escape in various ways, from digging and climbing to chewing and slipping out of collars. Owners must understand their dog’s behavior and take preventive measures to keep them safe. Installing secure fencing and gates, providing plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and training dogs to stay within their boundaries can help prevent escape attempts.
There can be several obstacles to teaching a dog not to run away, including:
Fear and anxiety.
If a dog is afraid or anxious, it may try to escape as a means of self-preservation. Dealing with underlying fear or anxiety issues is important in preventing escape behavior.
Boredom.
Bored dogs may try to escape to find stimulation and adventure. Providing adequate physical and mental stimulation can help prevent escape behavior.
Lack of Training.
If a dog has not been adequately trained, it may not understand boundaries or rules, leading them to escape. Consistent training and reinforcement can help prevent escape behavior.
Health Problems.
Health issues, such as pain or discomfort, can cause a dog to try to escape. Making sure that a dog’s health is taken care of is important in preventing escape behavior.
Genetics.
Some breeds of dogs are naturally more prone to escape behavior due to their history as hunting or working dogs. Understanding breed tendencies and training accordingly can help prevent escape behavior.
Lack of Bond with Owner.
If a dog does not have a strong bond with their owner, it may try to escape in search of a better relationship. Building a strong bond with the dog through training, play, and positive reinforcement can help prevent escape behavior.
Unfavorable Environment.
If a dog is in an environment that is not suitable for its needs, such as a small or cramped living space, it may try to escape. Providing an appropriate living environment can help prevent escape behavior.
Lack of Exercise.
A dog that does not get enough physical exercise may try to escape to get exercise and burn off energy. Providing adequate exercise and physical stimulation can help prevent escape behavior.
These obstacles can be addressed with a combination of behavior modification, training, environmental enrichment, and seeking professional help when necessary. It’s important to remember that each dog is unique and may require a different approach to address their escape behavior.
Basic dog training steps to stop a dog from running away.
Secure the area.
The first step in preventing a dog from escaping by digging is securing the area. This may involve repairing any holes in the fence or walls and burying chicken wire along the base of the fence to prevent digging or installing an underground fence.
Provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation.
Boredom and lack of stimulation are two of the biggest reasons dogs may try to escape. To prevent this, ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. This can include going for walks, playing fetch, and providing puzzle toys.
Reinforce boundaries.
Teach your dog the boundaries of their yard and reinforce them consistently. This may involve using a long line or leash to teach the dog to stay within the boundaries and rewarding them when they do.
Discourage digging, jumping, and climbing as a strategy to escape.
If you catch your dog digging in the yard, immediately interrupt the behavior and redirect it to a more appropriate activity, such as playing with a toy or going for a walk. Consistently reinforce the boundaries and discourage digging.
Provide positive reinforcement.
Reinforce desired behavior by giving your dog plenty of praise and treats when they stay within the boundaries and do not dig. This will help them understand that staying in the yard and not digging is the desired behavior.
Avoid punishment.
Punishing a dog for digging or escaping is unlikely to be effective and can actually make the behavior worse. Instead, focus on reinforcing desired behavior and redirecting the dog’s attention to more appropriate activities.
Be patient.
Training a dog not to escape and run away may take time and patience, but consistent reinforcement and positive reinforcement training will help your dog learn the desired behavior. There are different ways to train a dog not to escape and run away. Training a dog not to escape using positive reinforcement and differential reinforcement involves using different techniques to modify the dog’s behavior.
It’s important to note that each dog may respond differently to these training methods, and it may take time to determine which approach works best for your dog. Additionally, using positive reinforcement is often the most effective approach and may be sufficient in most cases. If positive reinforcement is ineffective, you can try differential reinforcement. Still, it is important to use these methods carefully and with the guidance of a professional dog trainer or dog behaviorist if necessary.
References.
- “Don’t Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training” by Karen Pryor
- “The Power of Positive Dog Training” by Pat Miller
- “How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves” by Sophia Yin
- “The Culture Clash” by Jean Donaldson
- “Dog Training for Dummies” by Jack Volhard and Wendy Volhard
- “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Positive Dog Training” by Pamela Dennison
- “The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs” by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.
- “Dog Training Revolution: Better, Happier, and Healthier Relationships through Positive Reinforcement” by Victoria Stilwell
- “Feisty Fido: Help for the Leash-Reactive Dog” by Patricia McConnell and Terry Ryan
- “101 Ways to Do More with Your Dog” by Denise Fenzi and Deb Lewis
- “The Effectiveness of Reinforcement and Punishment in Modifying Aggression, Destruction, and Escape Behaviors in Dogs” by Theresa M. DePorter, Karen L. Overall, and Jennifer J. Shryock.
- “Applying the Principles of Classical and Operant Conditioning to Dog Training” by Emily Larlham.
- “Preventing Escape Behaviour in Dogs: A Review” by Daniel S. Mills and Charlotte E. Lawson.
- “The Role of Training in Preventing and Correcting Problem Behaviors in Dogs” by Emily L. Weiss, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, CABC.
- “Managing Escape Behavior in Dogs: A Review of the Literature” by Cynthia P. Raiser and James A. Serpell
- “Using Positive Reinforcement to Modify Problem Behaviors in Dogs” by Sarah E. Brown and David C. Nelson.
- “Preventing and Managing Escaping Behaviour in Domestic Dogs” by Rachel A. Casey and Sarah E. Brown.
- “Preventing and Managing Dogs That Escape” by Sophia Yin, DVM, MS.
