A home with a fenced-in yard can provide great peace of mind for dog owners. Your beloved pet can get some fresh air, take potty breaks and burn off energy in a safe, secure environment. Until, that is, they decide to dig a hole under the fence to see if the grass really is greener on the other side.
So why do dogs “run away,” and how can you stop your dog from digging under the fence to do it? Let’s delve into the reasons for this behavior and steps you can take now to help prevent it.
Why Do Dogs Run Away?
It’s important to understand that if your dog is digging under the fence to roam the neighborhood, it’s not because your dog is testing you or wants to be “bad.” There are several common reasons for dogs running away and some fairly simple solutions for keeping them home.
Boredom
Look around your yard. What is there for your dog to do if you are not out there too?
- If your yard is empty, consider adding some toys to help keep your dog occupied. Choose ones that are safer for unsupervised play, such as puzzle feeders and durable rubber food toys; ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
- You can also create a game of hide-and-seek by scattering some of your dog’s daily portion of kibble or treats in the yard, providing a textured lick mat with wet food or a small amount of xylitol-free peanut butter (if approved by your dog’s veterinarian) or putting out items with interesting scents for your dog to find.
- Even if your yard gives your dog room to run around, they may still need more space to work off their natural energy. Making time for a nice long daily walk or trip to a local dog-friendly park will not only help curb their energy at home, but also help keep them fit and healthy.
Loneliness
It’s convenient to be able to let your dog out without constant supervision. However, if you tend to leave your dog unattended for long periods, they may get lonely. After all, dogs are social, and your dog thinks of you as family. If they can’t come in to see you, it might be fun to go see other people! And if your dog is not neutered, they might want to look for a mate. It’s important to check on your dog regularly and spend some time outside playing with them so the yard isn’t a place of banishment.
Curiosity
Some dogs want to see the world: Where did that squirrel go? Who is that other dog? Where is that yummy smell coming from? Taking your dog for a good leash walk at least once a day gives them the chance to safely explore and experience all the surrounding sights, sounds and smells.
Breed Instinct
Some dogs were carefully bred to perform specific tasks or actions, like herding or hunting…or digging. As pets, the need for those jobs may be gone, but the instincts remain. Breeds like herding or working dogs and sight hounds may be hardwired to chase animals, and others, like terrier breeds, are literally designed to dig. Even well-trained dogs may revert to instinctive behaviors when environmental triggers are strong and supervision is limited. Working with your dog’s instincts might take a little creativity, like blocking their view of other animals or creating a special place where they are allowed to dig.
The Dangers of Escaping: Why Preventing Fence Digging is Crucial
No matter why dogs run away from home, it is essential to prevent your dog from digging under the fence to escape your yard. The dangers of running free fall into two main categories: threats to your dog and accidents caused by your dog.
Traffic
Perhaps the most obvious reason to stop a dog from running away is to keep them from being hit by a car or other vehicle, or from causing an accident as a driver swerves to avoid them.
Other Animals
Depending on where you live, the presence of other animals big enough to be a threat to your dog may be unlikely. Then again, it depends on the size of your dog. Foxes are common in many suburban areas, and even coyotes are being squeezed into closer contact with people and pets because of land development. And all sizes and kinds of wildlife have internal and external parasites that can infest dogs.
Dogs are also predators. Bunnies and squirrels and cats might avoid your yard, but once your dog is in their space, they might just get in touch with their wild side to see what they can catch.
Finally, there’s always the risk that your dog might encounter another dog who is feeling territorial or isn’t well socialized to other dogs and end up in a fight.
People
Not everyone knows how to safely approach or handle an unfamiliar dog. Some people who see a dog running loose will call the police or animal control. Some might try to catch the dog themselves. And even normally sweet-tempered dogs may feel scared or threatened and bite if approached by a stranger (well-intentioned good Samaritan or otherwise). All of these scenarios could end up with your dog possibly reacting in a way where someone gets hurt.
What to Do If Your Dog Runs Away
Sometimes escapes just happen. When they do, the best way of getting your dog back quickly and safely is to know exactly where they are, rather than wandering the streets or posting a notice on your neighborhood network and hoping for a lucky break:
- Make sure your dog has a collar with an ID tag that includes your current phone number (ideally for your cell phone).
- Microchipping your dog can help someone else return them to you, but the person has to catch your dog and get them scanned first.
- For extra peace of mind, keeping a GPS tracker on your dog’s collar can give you real-time information about your dog’s location. For example, the Petivity Smart GPS + Activity Tracker is waterproof, lightweight device with a long-lasting rechargeable battery, so your dog can wear it comfortably at all times. The app not only shows you where your dog is, but also tells you how much exercise and rest they’re getting every day. This may be useful for understanding your dog’s daily routine.
When you are reunited with your dog, don’t punish them or yell at them. Punishment after the fact does not teach a dog why the escape happened and may increase fear or anxiety. Give your dog lots of love, then work on finding and fixing the underlying issues leading to their escape instead.
Assessing Your Fence and Yard: Identifying Weak Points
A good place to start is figuring out how to dog-proof your fence to prevent escapes. Step one is to make sure the fence is adequate to contain your dog:
- Consider its height. Some dogs jump over fences easily depending on the height, while others tend to dig under a fence if proper precautions are not taken. For example, a fence for a Dachshund (a digging breed) might need to a few feet high and be partially buried in the ground to prevent them from escaping, while some German Shepherds can jump 5 feet or even higher requiring a much taller fence to prevent them from going over.
- Consider the material. Different materials have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to containing dogs. Wooden fences are attractive, but they may be prone to warp, split or rot. Chain-link fencing is durable, but some dogs can climb it. Whatever it’s made of, it’s important to find breaks in your dog’s fence or any other potential weak points before your dog does.
- Inspect your fence. Regularly walk along it (inside and out), and check it for signs of damage, digging, loose pieces or gaps.
- Look at what’s in your yard. Are there buildings or plants that create hiding spots where your dog can dig unseen? Are there tables or playsets your dog can climb on to jump from? Maybe the answer to how to keep your dog inside the fence doesn’t involve the fence at all!
How to Prevent Your Dog from Digging Under the Fence
The best way to keep your dog from digging under the fence is to give them something more fun to do inside it:
- As previously mentioned, toys that require some effort, like puzzle toys that contain food or treats, are one option.
- For digging breeds, creating a dog-safe “dig pit” away from the fence might help.
- Activities that involve spending time with you or your family, either in the yard or outside it, are even better. If your dog wants to dig at the fence while you are with them, redirect their attention with a toy or other positive distraction. Yelling will only teach your dog to dig when you aren’t watching.
- Alternatively, take your dog on walks or provide other appropriate outlets for exercise and mental stimulation. All dogs need exercise to maintain a healthy weight, and a walk provides mental stimulation for your dog as well as physical exercise.
- Another solution to a dog digging under a fence is to modify the fence. For example, if your dog is escaping to follow people and animals they see through the fence, you can cover openings to block their view. You can also place or bury a strip of barrier material (e.g., hardware cloth, chain link) below the fence or on the ground inside it, or install a concrete footer. Any modification should be secured safely and checked for sharp edges, gaps, or pinch points that could injure your dog.
How to Keep Your Dog From Jumping the Fence
- If your dog is a jumper, you might need a taller fence, or you can add a section to the top that leans into your yard to create an awning effect.
- Also make sure there’s nothing in the yard close enough to the fence to jump from.
- “Coyote rollers” may help keep a dog from jumping a fence by preventing your dog from getting a grip on the top. This is especially true if they are appropriate for your fence design and can be installed safely.
When to Seek Professional Help
Digging is natural for many dogs, but it can sometimes be associated with behavior issues, like separation anxiety. If your dog seems anxious, frantic, destructive, or highly distressed when left alone, this may be more than simple boredom and may require veterinary or behavior support. Likewise, if your dog acts especially territorial when people walk by, you may wish to talk to your veterinarian, trainer, or behaviorist about training techniques to keep your dog calm. If your dog keeps running away despite your best efforts, your veterinarian or a behaviorist may be able to provide more insight into the cause and help you find a solution. A sudden change in digging or escape behavior also warrants veterinary evaluation to rule out underlying contributors.
If your dog runs away and won’t come when called, you can try training them yourself or seek professional help. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations of reputable local dog trainers who use positive, rewarding methods. They can help you train your dog to not run away and to stay by your side on walks as well as come on command – useful tricks for every dog to know!
Want more practical tips on your dog’s behavior, activity, and safety? Explore our blog for expert guidance on caring for your dog at home and on the go.