I've check the obvious but I can not for the life of me, discover how my lab is escaping the yard...
She only does it maybe once in a three month period, but this is unacceptable behavior and she could get hit by a car.
2007-11-12 01:16:37 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
first check the perimiter of the fence for any holes dug under it, if no holes then she is either jumping the fence or climbing it (some dogs can climb chain link fences).... then you'll have to wait and catch her in the act and fix the problem.
2007-11-12 03:59:25 · answer #1 · answered by sknymnie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for being a good and responsible pet owner.
Aside from putting locks/clips on your gates, be looking for things like holes in the yard and obvious claw marks on a wooden (or solid) fence.
Some dogs are jumpers. My dog is not tall - maybe 28" at the shoulder but he can clear a 4' fence with ease if he has enough running room. Some dogs are climbers too - Again, my dog can also scale a 6' privacy fence in seconds.
What I've resorted to is adding 2 strands of electric fence (about 8" apart) to the top of my 6' foot privacy fence and another 3 strands of hot wire about 8" from the ground and 8" apart - about 18" in from the base of the fence. The top wires discourage jumping and climbing - and the bottom wires discourage digging. They're powered by 2 solar chargers - not cheap but have more than paid for themselves in electric savings and peace of mind.
All Baby Blue had to do was put a paw or a nose on the wires and he hasn't been near them since.
Baby Blue is a pit bull and as such has a high pain tolerance. So, I keep the current pretty high. But this has worked so far.
Now then, when there are people out in my yard, I turn off the fence - and warn guests to stay clear of the wires. I also have to keep grass and greenery trimmed away from the wires - but again that's not a big job.
2007-11-12 09:48:08 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Never tempt a dog to leave under any circumstances... it sends entirely the wrong message.
The idea of the flour to see the location is a good one. Most dogs, however, if there is nothing obvious where they can go under the fence, are climbing. There are a lot of relatively inexpensive ways to stop this that WORK.
Go here:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_FenceJumping.php
The section on climbing is about 1/2 way down.
BTW: UNTIL you get this fixed, be sure an use an elastisized collar on the dog... It can stretch and snap if the dog gets caught instead of hanging the dog.
2007-11-12 09:37:27 · answer #3 · answered by cany 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Try standing outside the fence and calling her with treats or toys to see if you can encourage her to repeat the action. If you can't find any gaps or holes, there's a good chance she's simply jumping or climbing the fence- do you have chain link? Most dogs can easily scale up chain link. You may need to invest in a 6 foot wooden plank privacy fence. If you do see any gaps or holes and think they are too small for your dog- fill them anyway! You'd be AMAZED how small animals can squeeze up when they want to.
2007-11-12 09:50:54 · answer #4 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Put her in the yard and watch her from a window and that should do it.
Labs are sneaky devils. She might be climbing something or just a real Houndini.
Watch and see what happens. Maybe you should videotape it as well for that funny TV show - "American Most Funny Videos".
Good Luck
2007-11-12 09:39:02 · answer #5 · answered by gailseskies 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you can't find any holes in the fence or ground, she is jumping or climbing the fence. It's best to supervise your dog when she is out since you say she could get hit by a car.
2007-11-12 09:34:19 · answer #6 · answered by Dachshund gal? 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Labs are very good jumpers and also good escape artists. They can work a gate latch better than we can sometimes. If she is jumping, Jeffers Pet Co. sells a very efficient "no-jump harness" she only feels it is on her body when she trys to jump, it is very humane and only costs about 8 or 10 dollars.
2007-11-12 10:08:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sprinkle flour around the perimeter of the fence. Check to see where the flour is disturbed. She's probably climbing over. I had to do this with one of my dogs and it was amazing the little gap in the fence he was squeezing through
2007-11-12 09:25:56 · answer #8 · answered by Clueless 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the best way is catch her in the act... we caught our girl getting out..we have a very secure compound type dog fence... can you believe she actually contorted herself to slip through the holes in the panels...factory made holes at that. if they want out they can find a way
I would not call her to try and get her to escape..that may just tell her it is ok.
good luck
2007-11-12 09:32:19 · answer #9 · answered by PFSA 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I suggest you put your Lab in the yard, then you go outside and shout to to her and she should try to get to you and then you can see her use her escape route and then fix it to keep her in. I have two Labs and I know they are very intelligent and will find a way if they want to get out. I hope you solve your problem, good luck.
2007-11-12 09:24:27 · answer #10 · answered by millypeed my choccie Lab 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋