Dog Escaping Behavior: Signs and Causes

If you live in continual fear that your dog will attempt to escape and will either be picked up by the city pound or will come to harm in the process of escaping, you know how frustrating this behavior problem can be. What exactly is escaping behavior and what causes it?

What is Escaping Behavior?

Escaping behavior is referred to as behavior that occurs when a dog attempts to climb over, jump over, chew out of or dig out of their yard or home in an attempt to escape. Each dog may develop this behavior differently and for different reasons.

How are Dogs Able to Escape?

Different dogs approach escaping in different manners, depending upon their personalities, why they are trying to escape and the design of their homes. In some cases a dog will attempt to jump or climb over a fence. In other instances they will try to dig or chew their way out of a fence. Even if the dog is in the home during the day this does not necessarily put a stop to this type of behavior because they may attempt to escape from the home itself by trying to chew through a door or a window in their attempt to escape.

Causes of Escaping Behavior

Roaming

There can be many different reasons why a dog will attempt to escape from their home. In some cases, it could be due to a desire to roam related to their gender. If you have a male dog, this could very well be the case, but it should be understood that neutering does not always do the trick.

Separation anxiety

A dog may suffer from separation anxiety and escaping behavior is simply his way of expressing that problem. Separation anxiety occurs when a dog is afraid to be without their owner.

Boredom

There are also some situations where the dog becomes bored, especially if left alone during the day without any other people or animals to interact or play with. In that case, the dog may attempt to escape from home in order to interact with other people and animals in the neighborhood. Dogs may also escape a yard in response to specific environmental stimuli, such as chasing a squirrel, another dog or a cat.

Fear

In some cases, the dog’s behavior may also be triggered by loud and startling noises such as fireworks, thunderstorms, construction equipment, even the trash truck going by. In this case, the motivating factor driving the dog to escape is usually a fear or phobia.

Getting Help

Escaping behavior can be frustrating as well as worrisome for pet owners. Not only is there the property destruction to be concerned about, but also the safety and well-being of your pet. As a result, you naturally want to put a stop to it as quickly as possible. Professional guidance can help you to understand what is causing your pet’s escaping behavior and how to correctly it quickly so that you will not have to worry again.