Any advice?

[Jamila]

I am having a major issue with my dog Lucky. The other day I went to take one of my Rats to the vet and when I got home Lucky was no where to be seen. I have checked and rechecked holes in the fence and there are none. That day I was noticing tons of squirrels in the trees taunting my dogs. Lucky loves to chase and kill them Well when I noticed he was gone I searched the yard and the next door neighbors yard (its an empty house). He was not there. I went inside to check my answering machine to see if anyone had called about him and no dice there. I grabbed my phone and dialed my mom (her number is also on his tag) and went out the front door. I was calling him and right when my mom picked up there he comes out of nowhere. I was just about in panic mode when he showed. I was happy to see him but mad as heck that he got out.
Well I wanted to know how he got out and couldnt figure it out. I normally dont keep the dogs in when Im not home cause last time I did Talena chewed up some of my stuff, but since it has been like a year since that happened I thought Id risk it. I can always get more stuff, my dogs are irreplacable! So here we are the next day, I was getting ready for the day in the bathroom. I had the kids outside to potty and out of the corner of my eye I see Lucky running next door and to the alley after a tree full of squirrels. I ran out there got soaked cause it was raining and retrieved him. He striaght jumped the chain link fence. I couldnt beileve it. So now what do I do? I've been leaving them in when Im gone. I went out and bought a lead to put him on, he has 40 feet of it. So now everytime I let the kids out he has to be on a lead while the girls roam free. He gets caught around trees and I feel bad. I hate it but Im not sure what else I can really do. It makes me so frustrated
Any advice?

[Novel]

Buy a crate.

[Rivsky]

I'm not sure where you are but there are ways of fixing a fence so it makes it harder for dogs to jump - for example putting posts on along the top of the railings that lean in towards your yard. Depending on how big your fence area is this could get expensive though....

[Jamila]

Yeah thats what I was asking about. See I rent so I dont want to invest too much into this place thats not really mine. I guess what Im asking now is....Is it okay for me to just keep him on the lead?
I dont need to crate them cause they dont destroy anything while Im gone...I leave them in now...or atleast Lucky if not all three.

[Novel]

ok, so maybe I don't understand your problem. You are leaving your dogs unattended outside when you are gone and you are upset that they are escaping. It is highly irresponsible to leave a dog unattended outside! Put them inside if you don't have a problem with them being inside.

Do not tether a dog unattended, for any amount of time on any length of lead. That is even more irresponsible than leaving a dog unattended in a fenced in area.

Leaving a dog unattended is dangerous to the dog. They can be attacked by other dogs, or taunted or abused by people. Your dog is especially at the mercy of others and itself when it is tethered. It can become entangled, cutting off blood supply to limbs or causing its own asphyxiation.

[Rivsky]

Don't leave Lucky on a leash - if something comes in and attacks him he's got very limited options when trying to protect himself. Also too many other things can happen - the leash can get tied around things leaving him out in the cold/sun without access to water, he can possibly strangle himself - there are so many horrible things that can happen - please don't do it this way.

[Jamila]

okay okay I am not making myself clear apparently. You don't understand my problem.
I have been leaving them in the house when Im not at home here lately, they dont mess with anything.
When they go out to potty the girls run free in the fenced yard and Lucky is hooked up to a lead. He jumps the fence after squirrels if I don't hook him up. I don't leave him unattended.....nor do I leave him out there for long periods of time. I stand there and wait for him to do his business then bring them all back in.
I was just asking if this was okay for him to be on the lead while I watch him. I just feel bad cause now he doesn't get as much time outside as he use to, and he can't run free in the fenced yard....maybe extra walks for him would make up for it?
I don't think I can be anymore clear than that...

[Kuchi]

Crates aren't just for them to not tear things up, it also gives them a piece of mind and to stay safe. I would get a crate.
And it sounds to me that they are tearing up squirrels.
A lead would be worse. When I was a child, my dog strangled on one. Don't do it.

[Kuchi]

Oh okay so I don't understand the problem then?

EDIT: So you feel guilty. That's okay I'm sure the dogs still happy. Does he come when he's called? I would work on that so he could go out and be free with your supervision.

[Rivsky]

Just to make sure I understand this - he's only being put on the lead outside when going out to toilet - while you are watching?? If this is the case I would definitely use the lead but not to keep him as such - but to work on his recall. EVERY time he comes back to you (whether you call him or not) I'd be treating him - he will then eventually learn that coming back to you is better than running off and chasing squirrels - so you need to make it a really high value reward (like roast chicken). Hopefully then after a lot of patience and practice he eventually won't need the lead at all anymore. (Sorry if I've still misunderstood the situation!!)

[Fuzz Puppy]

Originally Posted by Novel

Buy a crate.

I agree with this. Crates can be incredibly useful when you have to go somewhere and the dog can't come with you. The dog can't get hurt or destroy something. Crates can be used even if the dog is over one year too if the crate is sized so your dog can stand up, turn around and lie down.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Jamila ~

Just my own opinion here but yes, I think a lead is fine when he's out to potty as long as your watching and I agree that working on his recall is a great start. A crate isn't going to keep him in the yard or the answer to your current problem. In time he'll be able to roam the yard with the girls again.

If your feeling badly because he's getting tangled then you can always switch to going out with him, using a leash and save the longer tether for recall work.

Glad you've changed your mind about leaving them out while your gone since Lucky has other plans in mind while outside. This is a hard time of year with all the little critters running around and I know all too well how those little tree climbing furry chatter boxes can taunt the dogs! lol Sounds like Lucky has a pretty high prey drive and will need lots of work on that recall......best of luck but I know you can do it!

[Jamila]

Thanks Crossfire!!! I have been working with him for a while now on the recall. He's the most stubborn kid I have.
I fixed the fence issue today...Yippy! They are still watched, but I extended the fence to six feet tall...no more jumping over for him. I'm still keeping them inside when I leave cause I like it that way better...I feel safer with them in for the most part.

[Dogsareme]

You can actually get a part to add on a to a chain link fence to prevent dogs from jumping/climbing over them (children too). I don't believe they are very expensive. All they are is an extra attachment off the chain link that curves in to the yard. They are great for fence jumping dogs, and there is no way any dog would be able to climb over it. They don't hurt the dog either. Go down to a hardware store and ask about these. I wish I could remember the technical name for you, but maybe they might understand if you mention they attach to chain link fences and curve into the yard to keep your animals in. Good luck.