It can be really hard to keep some dogs safe and sound at home where you want them to be, when they're focused on running away. Actually, the sheer determination and creativeness that goes into your dog escaping can be as impressive as watching Steve McQueen in the Great Escape!
Are They Actually Running Away?
Many dog owners don't get why their dogs would like to run away, which stands to reason when they're well fed and looked after, but there is usually an understandable reason behind a dog escaping. Nevertheless realizing that doesn''t stop it being the most worrying of all dog behaviour problems you might have to cope with.
If we set aside the powerful call of nature when female dogs come into season, there are 2 other major reasons your dog could be trying hard to get out. The 1st is driven by separation anxiety in dogs and the second by pack leadership issues.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Dogs with separation anxiety aren't truly attempting to run away, but trying to get out and come and find you. This is down to the fact that their anxiousness is not about being left all alone as is sometimes assumed, but caused by stressing about where you have gone and whether you can find your way back home.
This is also why some dogs will cause so much destruction around doors and windows when they're locked in a home alone; they're completely desperate to get out and come and find you.
Dogs acting in this fashion will often have decided they're the leader of the pack and therefore answerable for the safeness of its members, so that the panic is quite understandable when some of their pack members go missing.
Pack Leader Behaviour
A dog that believes it is pack leader may also try and escape to do something else that comes instinctively to them - patrolling their territory. Simply because you have got a fence around your garden doesn't mean a dog sees that as the sole part of its territory!
Put a Stop to Your Dog Running Away
Dealing with the leadership issue will help with both of the above reasons that your dog runs away. Learning to show your dog you are pack leader does not involve being dominant or unpleasant toward your dog, just showing them you are the decision maker.
Keep an eye open for more indications of separation anxiety in your dog too, for example barking non-stop when left alone or urinating or pooping in the house, as you could need to use some desensitization training to lose their behaviour issues fully.
Are They Actually Running Away?
Many dog owners don't get why their dogs would like to run away, which stands to reason when they're well fed and looked after, but there is usually an understandable reason behind a dog escaping. Nevertheless realizing that doesn''t stop it being the most worrying of all dog behaviour problems you might have to cope with.
If we set aside the powerful call of nature when female dogs come into season, there are 2 other major reasons your dog could be trying hard to get out. The 1st is driven by separation anxiety in dogs and the second by pack leadership issues.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Dogs with separation anxiety aren't truly attempting to run away, but trying to get out and come and find you. This is down to the fact that their anxiousness is not about being left all alone as is sometimes assumed, but caused by stressing about where you have gone and whether you can find your way back home.
This is also why some dogs will cause so much destruction around doors and windows when they're locked in a home alone; they're completely desperate to get out and come and find you.
Dogs acting in this fashion will often have decided they're the leader of the pack and therefore answerable for the safeness of its members, so that the panic is quite understandable when some of their pack members go missing.
Pack Leader Behaviour
A dog that believes it is pack leader may also try and escape to do something else that comes instinctively to them - patrolling their territory. Simply because you have got a fence around your garden doesn't mean a dog sees that as the sole part of its territory!
Put a Stop to Your Dog Running Away
Dealing with the leadership issue will help with both of the above reasons that your dog runs away. Learning to show your dog you are pack leader does not involve being dominant or unpleasant toward your dog, just showing them you are the decision maker.
Keep an eye open for more indications of separation anxiety in your dog too, for example barking non-stop when left alone or urinating or pooping in the house, as you could need to use some desensitization training to lose their behaviour issues fully.
About the Author:
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a Dog Anxiety website, which provides help and information for owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about your dog running away and other dog behaviour problems, when you visit the site.
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