Escape artist?

Question

I need ideas on containing my dog for a couple months while I get the rest of the money needed and get his new run built.

He's a mutt close to 100lbs that wandered my way last year and no one claimed.

Ideally I'd like to have him in the house while I'm at work, either crated or limited to a room or two like the other dogs. Unfortunately that didn't go so well. He absolutely refuses to go near a plastic crate, so I that is out. This led to leaving him limited to two rooms. This led to a destroyed room, which was cleaned up and re-dog proofed. That went ok for a day or two, then he found the window. At least he didn't get hurt.

So next idea I bought an outdoor run. That lasted a week before he figured he could easily jump the six foot fence. When he started going over the top, I blocked the top corners and tarped the rest of the top. Never again will I buy a chain link run, he then found the weak spots in the wire and made his own exits.

continued.....

So then I bought a wire crate, thought maybe he'd take to that better. Which he did. For awhile before he bent that one and got out.

So I started tying him out. Not really what I wanted to do, but I was running out of ideas. He's figured out how to get off the tie out now too.

Back to another wire crate, this time he didn't bend it. I'd really liked to have seen him to do it. He managed to pull the end panel inside the crate and got out. So put crate back together secured with zip ties in the front panel. Should have done the back panel at the same time. The following day he pulled in the back panel and got out.

Today he managed to to pull on the back enough to break the zip ties. (Yes I tied those after he pulled that panel in)

He is neutered, is smart, gets enough exercise. A half hour play session before work, an hour training/play after work. Not to mention after that the kids have him running not stop playing with them. After the kids go to bed he goes out to.....

potty comes back in and curls up on couch for the night.

On days off he gets even more playtime.

In the next couple months his "playpen" will be built. He'll only be there while at work. It will have a cement floor, full roof, a house/bed area inside a shed, so he'll be adequately protected. Better, stronger wire, plenty of toys, and depending on much extra I can put into it, a digbox, and wading pool. It'll be close enough to the house that I could also run a radio into the shed for him to listen to.

Remember he would only be in there while we're at work. But I want him safe and comfy while we have to be out.

Gee K.S way to read all the details.

And doggie daycare would be great, but they don't exist in this area.

I only work 4 days out of the week, and if you'd read the details you'd see he gets lots of attention even on work days.

Answer 1

Wow, seems you've tried just about everything. Escape artists are a big challenge. No wonder you found this guy wandering :^).

Just about the only way to keep strong chewers from getting out of crates & kennels, is to find the ones that are sturdier than standard pet store stuff. Frequently feed / farm supply stores carry more heavy duty items that work well. Working/Hunting dog equipment suppliers are a good source, too.

Since you're working on a veritable pooch palace, you probably want to limit the $$ spent on a temporary fix. That is, unless you can incorporate it into the permanent plan.

A ' magnum or priefert ' type kennel is is made of much heavier gauge wire and has no weak spots. They are free standing and although more expensive than chain link kennels, well worth the extra. You can order top panels,too.

An escape-proof crate isn't a fantasy. There are many custom aluminum crate manufacturers out there, and that would be a great thing to have for times when you need to travel with Houdini :^) They can be very pricey, though.

However both kennels and crates frequently pop up for sale in the used markets. Check out classifieds, ebay, craig's list, etc. Even the feed stores have classifieds boards where customers post items for sale - you might get lucky.

If you can't find something in your price range, I'd recommend taking a look at 'hog panels' at the farm supply store. They're very heavy gauge fence panels strong enough to contain livestock, and I've seen sturdy kennels fashioned from these. Not to be attempted without someone who knows how to make them very stable and secure, though. And again, this may be something only worth the effort and $$ if it can be used in your future project.

It's not every day that someone will go through all this effort for a stray dog, so CHEERS to you, & I wish you the best of luck!!

Answer 2

Wow, it sounds like you've gone the distance with this guy. Until you can get secure containment built I have two suggestions.

First, there is a book called The Koehler Method of Dog Training by William R, Kohler. Get it!!! Maybe on Amazon or Ebay or your libarary. (lol) You will find the term "escape artist" defined in this book (much the way you described it, which made me laugh); and you will find that they have a way to fix the problem. They have a web site: www.koehlerdogtraining.com
They may be able to refer you to a Koehler training class in your area.

Second, there is always the Board and Train option; where you send the dog out for private obedience training. The web site can tell you what to look for in private training if you are so inclined.

There is an answer. Take hope, this CAN be fixed. Get going and good luck.

Answer 3

i think u should put him back into 1 of those rooms, but make it more interesting for the dog so he would want to stay in the room rather than want to get out. fill it with all his fave toys, put a tv in there or something.
wen ur dog escaped from the rooms, where did he go afterwards exactly? because if he went towards u, it would mean he really wants ur company. a good trick to deal with that would be to record ur voice on a tape recorder and play it to ur dog while hes in the room, that way he wont feel lonely and would feel no need to try and escape.
hope i helped

Answer 4

lmao,sorry i once had a dog who was a great escape artist!tie him ....with a collar,he would slip out...i tried a harness,he backed out of it.i used a collar with a harness,no luck.i installed an over-head cable with a sliding lead to the ground,he broke it.i got a bigger thicker cable.after many adjustments,repairs,and aggravations,when i finally came up with a winning combination.that kept him ON.he simply drove us mad with pitifull wining,crying,sorrow.let me tell you...that beautiful run will be abandoned because after a while he will feel like you are punishing him when you put him in.he will be sad.no matter how many toys you give him.seems like mans best friend always wins this battle.as for advice on how to contain him....the ver head cable system works.as long as they can't get tangled on anything.good luck

Answer 5

Frankly you should not have him. He wants to escape because he is very bored and miserable. Do u spend time with him?
How about giving him some toys to play with, change them every few days. He is very intelligent. Alternatively, it's also nice to send your dog to a pet hotel where pple will play with him and give him attention.

Answer 6

The invisalble electric fence!!!It does work!!!He,s not having enough fun...He wants to play!!!He needs more exercise!!!

Answer 7

try this site for crates.. http://www.leerburg.com/crate.htm