Need advice on how to keep my dog from getting out

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 2:49am #1

I have started a new job 3 months ago. Before this I was at home everyday. I have 2 dogs both 3 years old. They are sisters and my garden is enclosed. My partner is in and out of the house during the day so he lets the dogs out to go toilet but one of the dogs keeps getting out of our garden.( garden is completely inclosed) Last week she ended up nearly getting knocked down on the main road. Thankfully she didn’t. We have tried to keep her locked into the house by day but she keeps getting out somehow sneaking past my partner. She sleeps in our bed every night and has always been indoors. I was thinking about getting an enclosed dog pen with a heater dog bed for outside during the day while I’m not around and putting them both in there. Anyone think this would make her worse or have any other solutions?? I’m very stressed and they are my babies and if anything happened to them I would be devastated

Forty Seven · 10-09-2019 3:10am

Obviously the garden is not completely enclosed if the dog is getting out. Find out where they exit and fence it?

cocker5 · 10-09-2019 7:07am

Your garden is not enclosed properly if your dog is getting out? Unless it’s scaling the fence?

You need to go around entire garden on hands and feet if necessary and find the hole / escape route and fix it...

Car99 · 10-09-2019 7:23am

Put a dog collar camera on your dog and see how it's escaping.

Graces7 · 10-09-2019 8:36am

Long lead when the dog is let out to toilet?

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 9:50am

It is completely secure we have tried everything trying to figure out how she’s getting out. My only thing is if she is sneaking out the door with my partner. Would a pen be suitable for a couple of hours during the days he is in and out cutting grass etc?

salmocab · 10-09-2019 9:52am

What type of dogs are they?

Graces7 · 10-09-2019 10:04am

Ella harrington wrote: »

It is completely secure we have tried everything trying to figure out how she’s getting out. My only thing is if she is sneaking out the door with my partner. Would a pen be suitable for a couple of hours during the days he is in and out cutting grass etc?

can you not leave her in a room away from the door for that while? and watch her when she gets out to see where?

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 10:18am

I got them from a rescue not a 100% but there a terrier cross. Both medium sized. The problem is when I’m at home she never gets out. It’s like she’s going looking for me. My partner has tried to watch how she’s getting out but my dog is watching him and will only get out when his back is turned

cocker5 · 10-09-2019 10:18am

Ella harrington wrote: »

It is completely secure we have tried everything trying to figure out how she’s getting out. My only thing is if she is sneaking out the door with my partner. Would a pen be suitable for a couple of hours during the days he is in and out cutting grass etc?

apologies for sounding stupid... but id know if my dog had slipped out when I'm leaving the house.... how could you not? that doesn't make any sense?

What breed OP?

is the dog scaling your fence? how high is it?

OR is there something the dog can jump up on and then out and over ? i.e. a kennel etc?

why not watch from the window and see?

cocker5 · 10-09-2019 10:19am

Ella harrington wrote: »

I got them from a rescue not a 100% but there a terrier cross. Both medium sized. The problem is when I’m at home she never gets out. It’s like she’s going looking for me. My partner has tried to watch how she’s getting out but my dog is watching him and will only get out when his back is turned

How high is the fence op?

lashes34 · 10-09-2019 10:39am

Ella harrington wrote: »

I got them from a rescue not a 100% but there a terrier cross. Both medium sized. The problem is when I’m at home she never gets out. It’s like she’s going looking for me. My partner has tried to watch how she’s getting out but my dog is watching him and will only get out when his back is turned

Surely your partner needs to take more heed and not leave doors open for your dogs to get out? Other than that I wouldnt leave doors used to being indoors outside for prolonged periods during the day.

Surely there is a room away from the back door he can lock the dog into while he goes outside if he cant keep an eye on them?

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 10:45am

Yes I totally agree. I would know if the dogs ever got out as I’m always watching them. However he is very careless and I have had so many arguments with him over the past few weeks over the dogs but I simply don’t trust him minding them. They are my babies and if anything happened I would be inconsolable. Out fence are about 7ft tall. No way of her jumping. I have looked for gaps anything to jump on nothing. I left her outside over the weekend looked from a window nothing. I even when outside the gate to the front garden for approx 1.5hr so she would come but still nothing. That’s why I’m asking is a dog pen my only option? As I don’t trust my partner and I’m on the verge of quitting work

searay · 10-09-2019 10:50am

We have a cocker spaniel who was almost killed after getting out despite having electric gates, a 3 foot high wall and a beech hedge blocking the front of the house. Raising the wall wasn’t an option without planning permission. A resourceful dog can be a great climber.

Kids would have been devastated so we bought a pet safe radio fence and created a 4 metre deep exclusion zone inside the gate.

Despite the bad press the fences get, the dog does not get shocked by it as she figured it out within the first day. The fence makes a barely audible noise when the dog approaches the wire and she stops and won’t approach it even when the gates are open and the kids are arriving home.

Whilst people criticise the fences, in my view, a small initial shock the first day or two is far better than losing our dog in an accident.

hairyprincess · 10-09-2019 10:54am

Is the dog only getting out of the garden when your partner is alone with them?

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 11:00am

Searay this is like my dog and my heart is broke. Any idea where I could get one of these please as I do think it would be a better option. I don’t like dog pens but am desperate at this stage. Thank you

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 11:01am

Yes she does not escape when I am there. But he might go in and out 25 times a day so I think he makes her anxious

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 11:07am

That’s a great idea. Where could I buy this Searay please?

cocker5 · 10-09-2019 11:51am

Ella harrington wrote: »

That’s a great idea. Where could I buy this Searay please?

Please research the radio pet fence...

they are only suitable in large areas like an acre or more not standard gardens and if not fully trained on the fence itself ... it will shock the dog and cause pain... its like €200

cocker5 · 10-09-2019 11:55am

to be honest OP if the dog is unable to get out of the garden (fully secured and high) then maybe check if they are escaping through an open window etc?

If not I dunno... maybe your other half needs to be more careful and take responsibility (I know you already know this already OP) but seems the issue here is him and not the garden or the dogs

Graces7 · 10-09-2019 12:22pm

cocker5 wrote: »

to be honest OP if the dog is unable to get out of the garden (fully secured and high) then maybe check if they are escaping through an open window etc?

If not I dunno... maybe your other half needs to be more careful and take responsibility (I know you already know this already OP) but seems the issue here is him and not the garden or the dogs

agree totally

Ella harrington · 10-09-2019 12:26pm

thank you all for your advice

Bogwoppit · 10-09-2019 12:31pm

Either your garden is not secure or your partner is letting the dog escape, has to be one of the 2.

A shock collar and fence are not at all suitable for a small garden, your dog won’t be able to go anywhere without getting a shock.

There must be a side gate of some sort, terriers can squeeze through a pretty small gap or could jump up on a bin to escape.

g6fdyotp5nj2l7 · 10-09-2019 12:51pm

Don't get a shock collar please. Having read between the lines I don't think the problem is the dog or the security of the garden.

loveisdivine · 10-09-2019 12:51pm

It seems like the issue is that your partner is being irresponsible with the dogs. If they physically cannot escape from the rear garden, then he must be letting her dart out the front door when he is coming/going.

So even if you get a dog pen, can you trust him to actually put her in it successfully? Or are you going to put the dog into the pen and then let it stay in there all day while you are at work?

searay · 10-09-2019 5:55pm

Ella harrington wrote: »

Searay this is like my dog and my heart is broke. Any idea where I could get one of these please as I do think it would be a better option. I don’t like dog pens but am desperate at this stage. Thank you

I bought the pet safe one in a Petworld store, but I think most pet shops stock them. There are other cheaper versions but being sure you can get batteries are important.

On the first day, our dog got a mild shock or 2, but she responds now to the beeping sound so does not get hurt at all. I’ve been shocked by it when testing the battery and it’s pretty minor. Far better for the dog than getting out on a busy road.

bmc58 · 10-09-2019 6:03pm

cocker5 wrote: »

Your garden is not enclosed properly if your dog is getting out? Unless it’s scaling the fence?

You need to go around entire garden on hands and feet if necessary and find the hole / escape route and fix it...

Or a wall.Had a dog once that ran at a 7ft high wall and got over it no problem.Only I saw him doing it I would not have believed it possible.

bmc58 · 10-09-2019 6:05pm

Ella harrington wrote: »

It is completely secure we have tried everything trying to figure out how she’s getting out. My only thing is if she is sneaking out the door with my partner. Would a pen be suitable for a couple of hours during the days he is in and out cutting grass etc?

If she's on heat,she will do unbelievable to get out to mate.

g6fdyotp5nj2l7 · 10-09-2019 7:12pm

bmc58 wrote:

Or a wall.Had a dog once that ran at a 7ft high wall and got over it no problem.Only I saw him doing it I would not have believed it possible.

I had a Springer that could get on top of an 8 ft wall from a standing leap. He never actually went over the other side he just used stand on top looking all round.

atilladehun · 10-09-2019 7:19pm

If the dog can't escape the back then you don't need a pen? Just leave it out there. Sort out some shelter and a warm bed and food and water. Would your partner walk them during the day ?

knockers84 · 10-09-2019 7:22pm

Ella harrington wrote: »

It is completely secure we have tried everything trying to figure out how she’s getting out. My only thing is if she is sneaking out the door with my partner. Would a pen be suitable for a couple of hours during the days he is in and out cutting grass etc?

This thread makes no sense.

Your partner is not closing the house door and that’s how the dogs are getting out? Tell your partner to close the bloomin front door.

With regards your partner can you not ask him to supervise the dogs in the garden and see how there getting out. Better still get a cheap webcam and set it on record on the garden.

If you want the dogs in the house then get a frame that will go across the door

aonb · 10-09-2019 7:56pm

knockers84 wrote: »

This thread makes no sense.

Your partner is not closing the house door and that’s how the dogs are getting out? Tell your partner to close the bloomin front door.

With regards your partner can you not ask him to supervise the dogs in the garden and see how there getting out. Better still get a cheap webcam and set it on record on the garden.

If you want the dogs in the house then get a frame that will go across the door

This is actually an excellent idea - if your dogs arent jumpers, just runners, this might work - buy a babygate, get it attached to the door frame, put chicken wire on it if the dogs could squeeze through the bars, and force your partner to step up/over the gate, to get into the house.

You partner is not to be trusted with the dogs - the dogs are yours OP, he obviously doesnt have that sense of ownership, so you need to find a solution to keep your dogs safe. Jeepers if I were considering quitting my new job because my partner wouldnt keep my dogs safe in my absence, there would be some pretty dramatic discussions

Graces7 · 11-09-2019 5:22am

OP please do not shock the dog. It actually will not help as long as your partner is being as he is. The baby gate is the best idea but then would he respect that even?

Be right back · 11-09-2019 8:37am

If you are on the verge of quitting work and really can't trust your partner, how about doggy day care?

Graces7 · 11-09-2019 9:16am

Be right back wrote: »

If you are on the verge of quitting work and really can't trust your partner, how about doggy day care?

Great idea! Perfect! As it seems the only safe way

AryaStark · 11-09-2019 9:23am

searay wrote: »

I bought the pet safe one in a Petworld store, but I think most pet shops stock them. There are other cheaper versions but being sure you can get batteries are important.

On the first day, our dog got a mild shock or 2, but she responds now to the beeping sound so does not get hurt at all. I’ve been shocked by it when testing the battery and it’s pretty minor. Far better for the dog than getting out on a busy road.

Did you put it around your neck to test it? If not then you cant compare...

I hate these colars... people say that the dog learns, but the dog learns to be scared of the sound and there is nothing positive about that. teaching a dog to be scared stops the dog from trusting you.

You need to train your partner.

11-09-2019 9:26am

i think doggy daycare might be the best plan, op?

and put the partner in the pen for the day... since they are so useless

beertons · 11-09-2019 9:34am

Put a collar camera on your partner. I can't understand how he doesn't see a dog going out, when he is going out.

11-09-2019 12:26pm

Does your partner "want" the dog to escape? Does he even like the dog......maybe its deliberate?
Its not hard to see if your dog is slipping out the door beside your leg like a rocket every time you open the door. Very easy to get used to tricks dogs (and cats) use and very easy to remedy things too. Your partner sounds absolutely clueless about the dog.

On "work" mornings my cats know because I'm up so early. They eat their food and sneak back upstairs to hide under beds and under duvets in the hope I wont spot them before I leave for the day (and put them out). It hasn't worked so far! You need an awareness when you have animals.

sillysmiles · 11-09-2019 12:51pm

IF you are on the verge of quitting work and don't trust your partner - how about a new partner - who respects you and what is important to you!

simongurnick · 11-09-2019 1:06pm

Could you build a dog run? A small fenced in area within the garden

bmc58 · 12-09-2019 6:14pm

Gemma Modern Bearer wrote: »

I had a Springer that could get on top of an 8 ft wall from a standing leap. He never actually went over the other side he just used stand on top looking all round.

Springers are hyper all the time,full of energy.

terrydel · 13-09-2019 12:42pm

Car99 wrote: »

Put a dog collar camera on your dog and see how it's escaping.

So let it escape one more time? A risk not worth taking.

realdanbreen · 13-09-2019 1:53pm

Are both dogs getting out? Are the dogs neutered?

lulu1 · 14-09-2019 10:01pm

Why anyone would want to get a device that would shock their family pet is beyond me A bit of common sense and responsibility is all that's needed.
OP you need to find out where your dog is getting out before it's too late should you have to sit and watch for a day.

If she's jumping the fence build a bigger one

Dubl07 · 16-09-2019 8:41pm

How big is the garden, are there walls with trellis or fences with horizontal slats? Is the gate totally solid wood or are there gaps in some places, or is it wrought iron type? I have a garden gate with 4" vertical slats and gaps, secured by three horizontal boards. I covered it with horticultural fleece, stapled to the wood and put an extra horizontal bar at the bottom to prevent chewing/squeezing out that way. If you are absolutely certain that the garden is secure with block or stone walls of a reasonable height all the way around and either no side access or a very secure one, I'd concur with previous posters that the issue is not with the garden, nor with the dog.

I also agree with others that a shock collar should not be used, at least not on your dog.

Regarding your initial query about a pen while you're working, how would your dogs fare if it's snowing in a couple of months, or if it's stormy with thunder and lightning?

Perhaps one of the inhabitants of the house needs to be rehomed.

Need advice on how to keep my dog from getting out

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