My dog continuesly breaks out of the yard. We keep her on a chain, but when we let her off at night, she goes under our chain link fence. We put up a wood gate across our driveway, but she just digs. Can anyone help me out with what to do?

Have her indoors, and supervise her in the yard??

I think we really need a lot  more information; for instance, it may be possible to physically stop her escaping, but it would be much better to work out why she is escaping in the first place...is she bored, frustrated, enticed by other dogs...and so on. What breed is she? :)

Is she alone during the day, and is she given any walks? Does she get given any interactive toys such as stuffed Kongs to keep her amused....and  so on.

Lindsay
X

I'll second that!  What on earth is the poor dog chained up in a yard for anyway????  If a person had such "loving and stimulating surroundings" I think they'd be on constant "break-out" too
Teri

On another post you say you think she could be in whelp
why havent you had her spayed??? poor dog..

Get her spayed cos that is more than likely why she is breaking out because of the urge to be mated.

I do not believe in chaining dogs up therefore I would suggest a purpose built kennel and run if you are not having her in the house with you.

Tripetty Trap?

just a simple question really, why have you got a dog?

OK, the dog is on a chain because the neighbors are complaining about ehr getting out. It's not creul, she has shade and plenty of water. God, thsi place hasn't helped any, all I wanted was some help, and Im getting insulted because I can't be at my house 24/7 to watch my dog. ANd she isn't in the hosue because i have cats, that she would kill. God....

"On another post you say you think she could be in whelp
why havent you had her spayed??? poor dog.."

Because, last time we took her to have it done, they said she couldn't be fixed because she was ill. And, she broke out agian and agian...so I think thats how it happened. Ya'll are making me seem to be the bad guy...Don't start because there are dogs i've seen on my road in worst conditions, this dogs has it pretty good.

"I think we really need a lot  more information; for instance, it may be possible to physically stop her escaping, but it would be much better to work out why she is escaping in the first place...is she bored, frustrated, enticed by other dogs...and so on. What breed is she?

Is she alone during the day, and is she given any walks? Does she get given any interactive toys such as stuffed Kongs to keep her amused....and  so on."

Well, the story is she was a stray that followed me home. She got out, and was snt to the pound. I found and adopted her. I think shes so used to being outside and not confined in a yard, that she wants to break out. She comes back every night, but, the neighbors are complaining. She is a mutt...I think part lab and bull dog...And I have another dog and they get along great, so I don't see why she wouldn't be amused. I try to take her for walks every day, but sometimes school work is overwelming....

Also, thank you for being one of the only people that didn't insult me....^_^

There is no excuse!!!!! get her spayed, you are a bad owner if you just let this carry on
is the other dog a female or male? you have no reason to get snappy with any of us
as we are trying to understand why you are letting her get out ?? and why she is not spayed...
you are responsable for her welfare....

Well, OhGee, i would suggest maybe another vet visit to start as it may be that she would stop her breakouts if she was spayed, it's certainly a possibility. Her instinct at the moment is probably making her want to breakout  and meet other dogs. There are so many unwanted dogs though, please do have her spayed before she has pups. Do try to get her spayed if at all possible.

I would also suggest it may be fun for you to interact with her a little more and maybe play with her for say, several little sessions a day just to bondf with her more :) . It may be that she is also very used to being out and about, but of course as a stray she may also have had a home where she was used to staying in.

Hth a bit
Lindsay
X

OHGEE, What country are you based in, do you know if your dog was running free for a long period before you adopted her, she could have reverted to being feral ( if that is the term as with cats) was she in good condition when she came to you, have you gained her complete trust. With some dogs that have been running free for sometime and fending for themselves, they resent being restrained, you must spend a lot of time with her to gain her trust and try and bond with her, she may have been her own provider for a long time, you must try and get her to see you as a provider and make her realise that you will give her what she needs and companionship, you will only do this by spending time with her and playing with her to make her want to be with you, if she bonds with you and knows you will supply her need she should not have the urge to escape, it would be best to get her fixed, if you do not she could produce puppy's twice a year, it is costly to raise pups and hard to find good homes for mixed breed pups, you would be doing her the biggest favour ever, as her health will suffer and the vet bills will be very high, so please try and see if a vet will do the job for you. I noticed you said you were in school and have a lot of school homework, could you not get this over when you return from school and then spend a couple of hours playing and walking her before bed, as this may tired her, give her a feed before bed time, to try and settle her more on an evening, and do as much as you can at weekends with her once you have made progress and made a pal of her she may realise that she is better off where she is and would not have to be chained up at all, could you raise fences so she would not be able to escape. I know it is a lot to ask but a lot of effort now could save you a lot of trouble later, and if she was knocked over by a car or worse on one of her journeys I am sure you would be devestated. Put the work in now and you will have a friend for life, but please contact a vet to see about stopping her having puppy's as soon as possible. Sorry for the long post but just trying to help

Ohgee I assume you are quite young as you say that school work is abit much and that your mum sometimes lets her of the chain cant your mum take the responsibility for the dog as if she does have puppies both the bitch and puppies will need lots of care and it is not to be cheap are you going to be able to pay for everything.
Abby at about 4 mths used to jump the fence to visit our neighbours solution new fence underground about 1 foot and above 6ft she means far too much to me to lose her over something I could have easily have fixed. How would you feel if she got hit by a car? I dont want to sound mean but this is the real world and it could happen.
Mary

I can't be at my house 24/7 to watch my dog. ANd she isn't in the hosue because i have cats, that she would kill.

NOT MANY PEOPLE ARE IN 24/7 but other dogs aren't straying around the streets.
question????????????? why have you got a dog that you know doesn't get on with cats when you own cats?
i have cats and dogs living peacefully together for the last 12 years and before that.

i'm sorry to say it but i honestly think you and your mum need to have a rethink regarding pet ownership and what you are capable of where animals are concerned.
you have an issue of people saying what they think regarding your posts but you have the problems because of the lack of correct care towards the animals you keep.
we are only trying to help and advice but you don't want to listen,if your dog is straying she could get worse than pregnant she could get killed plus a dog warden could pick her up and you will lose her. is this  what you want to happen? if not you have to do some thing about it instead of coming on CD moaning about the answers you are receiving.

Never mind, alright? Im tired of being treated like the bad guy. Ill get some help from someone else, thanks for tryong..most of you..Also, I dont open the fence and let her out...SHE GETS OUT ON HER OWN.

Buy an electric fence charger (reducer/pulser) and some insulators that will work on your existing fence, the kind used around horses. Put two or three strands of electric fence wire around the fence held forward of the fence enough that it won't move and touch the fence, getting shorted out. Make sure no vegetation is touching the wire. You will have to make a provision so that your gate will still work. Get someone who understands how to set this up for you. Put the strand strategically, low enough so that if she attempts to dig or get too close, she'll get a mild zap which will teach her to stay back. The next one up probably the top of her leg height. The top, above her head. You may need a fourth higher up if she's very tall or really a good jumper. I had this around my horses and when my dog scooted under the fence, she by accident got zapped. She was very careful from then on.

Just give her plenty of attention, play, training and love also, or she may feel like she's in prison. Spend time with her, brushing her and giving her treats. Make her your real true pal, not just some troublesome thing that you don't know what to do with. If that's not up your alley, find a new home for her. Every dog needs a fun life and deserves it. I'm not saying that you're not giving her that necessarily, but I got a feeling that she was just one big pain in the arse and in the way. Maybe someone on a big farm would be more suitable. But at any rate, you need to find a way to keep her in or she may get hit by a car. I just re-read your 1st post. You may not have learned, but just think how it would feel to you to be kept chained up.  Keeping a dog on a chain is downright horrible, cruel and dangerous. What a life that would be. No life. I absolutely abhor that thought. An electric fence would be safer and would probably keep her in. A home on a farm where she is safe to run all over the place would be even better. It sounds like she's got the wanderlust.

Carrie

Ohgee, no one is saying you let the dog out but that you do not keep her in. If you can't afford or can't be bothered to purchase a dog proof fence or a kennel and you can't or wont keep her in the house there is no answer or help anyone can give except to return the dog to rescue. Being tied in the yard is not a proper life for a dog let her go to someone who can give her a happy life, but make sure she is spayed first and soon.

Be aware that IF she gets to the other side of an electric fence, because the drive to escape is so strong, she may not be able to get back in again when she wants to, because that drive isn't as strong :(

You might also consider digging in the bottom portion of the fence, so it's several feet below ground level,and inclining the top portion, using trellis or something not as strong so as to support her weight, if she can't lean on it, she can't jump it, so long as it's high enough so she can't jump it cleanly.

I do think that you also need to look at *why* she feels the need to escape - is she getting enough exercise (mental as well as physical?) and opportunities to socialise (with canines as well as humans)........

Have to say if I had been chained up in a yard and someone let me off I'd be out of there at the first opportunity, why stand around waiting to be chained up again.Poor bitch, what a life.

Oh dear Oh Gee, you do have a problem don't you.

You are obviously still quite young, and your Mom should have the responsibility for keeping your dog in, which you have taken over.

Have you not got another adult, who can talk to your Mom about keeping your dog (you don't tell us what her name is) in a more secure manner?    You are worried that she is pregnant - you MUST talk to your Mom about your fears, how you are worried that she might need more help than you can give her.

We can only tell you what we feel you SHOULD be doing - we cannot give practical help from here (I gather you are in the US - am I correct?).   If your Mom won't take your dog to see a vet, talk to one of your teachers, to see if s/he can persuade Mom - or who can suggest alternative help for you.

You can do something to help - walk her twice a day - give her some attention (if you can only manage 15 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the evening, it is better than nothing at all).  Make your yard as secure as you possibly can yourself - look at where she gets out & see if you can figure out how to stop her.  It won't be easy - but at least you will have tried.

Come back and let us know how you get on with Mom - print off these responses, maybe - show them to her - we do like to help where we can.

Regards
Margot

Poor dog chained up all day, why did you get a dog in the first place? surely you didnt get a dog so you could just ignore it and leave it chained in the garden, do you ever take it for walks? sorry but its a garden ornament you want not a dog

Heidi

I held off posting on this subject until I was sure we weren't going to feed a troll - this is a child, for heaven's sake, with a mother who obviously hasn't taken HER responsbilities seriously enough.   Given the situation as it would appear, I think we should be trying t HLEP the child to make this sad situation as good as it can get.   I don't think it will ever be a perfect situation, but at least the girl will know that she has tried!

Sorry but i have a neighbour that is treating there dog badly its always out and causing havoc,when we go walking our dog it wont leave our lab and other peoples dog alone, it follows so you end up not having your walk for fear that the dog will follow onto the road and get run over, i have reported it to the RSPCA but nothing seems to have improved,
there is an old lady that walks her very old collie, the collie is frightened of this dog and they had to be helped,

If this is a child asking for help i would say, Your family obviously cant look after the dog properly so the nicest thing you could do for your dog is take it to a dog rescue :) i know it might hurt to loose her but you wouldnt want her to get run over would you.

Heidi

I always worry about that in the States - suggesting dog rescue i mean. I  am not always confident of where the dogs end up :(  They seem to have so many in rescue and i am sure many get put to sleep rather than find homes. Heard too that some end up in worse places although i don't know if that is true.

LindsayX