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Escape Artists - Why This Behaviour May Happen
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist - Founder www.friendsofthedog.co.za
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist - Founder www.friendsofthedog.co.za

There is little worse than arriving home and finding out that your beloved Fido has gone walkabout!
The ASPCA did a survey of 1000 pet owners in the country regarding dogs that had escaped, and discovered that approximately 85% of dogs were found or returned home. . The majority of the 85% of dogs found, was due to the owner searching their neighbourhood and the balance of the 15% were recovered due to wearing either an ID tag or being microchipped. Although the return rate is good, that still means that 15% of dogs were never recovered. Unfortunately, we were unable to find any stats in SA regarding this topic.
Should I adopt a dog from a shelter that is known to be an escape artist?
Please don’t! This really is a very difficult behaviour to change as it can be so self-rewarding to the dog, and once they have escaped once, they are more likely to repeat the behaviour again. There are literally thousand of dogs that are looking for homes – rather set yourself up for success with a dog that is not an escape artist, as dogs that run away on a regular basis, can really be professional escape artists, plus not easy to know the reason why they are engaging in this behaviour. We suspect separation anxiety is the main reason, but as there is no previous owner, this cannot be confirmed. Additionally, you will not be exposed to the heartbreak this can bring for the family whether the dog becomes lost, or even worse, is found dead from being run over.
Why does this behaviour occur?
Your number one step is to prevent the behaviour by preventing the dog escaping in the first place and these pictures below will give you some ideas. As soon as you have secured the area, we really do suggest that you get hold of a professional canine behaviourist that can help you to bring in the modifications that can help to change this behaviour.
The ASPCA did a survey of 1000 pet owners in the country regarding dogs that had escaped, and discovered that approximately 85% of dogs were found or returned home. . The majority of the 85% of dogs found, was due to the owner searching their neighbourhood and the balance of the 15% were recovered due to wearing either an ID tag or being microchipped. Although the return rate is good, that still means that 15% of dogs were never recovered. Unfortunately, we were unable to find any stats in SA regarding this topic.
Should I adopt a dog from a shelter that is known to be an escape artist?
Please don’t! This really is a very difficult behaviour to change as it can be so self-rewarding to the dog, and once they have escaped once, they are more likely to repeat the behaviour again. There are literally thousand of dogs that are looking for homes – rather set yourself up for success with a dog that is not an escape artist, as dogs that run away on a regular basis, can really be professional escape artists, plus not easy to know the reason why they are engaging in this behaviour. We suspect separation anxiety is the main reason, but as there is no previous owner, this cannot be confirmed. Additionally, you will not be exposed to the heartbreak this can bring for the family whether the dog becomes lost, or even worse, is found dead from being run over.
Why does this behaviour occur?
- Separation Anxiety - With the majority of dogs we have worked with that were escape artists, the escaping only occurs when owner is not home, so there does seem to be a degree of separation anxiety at play – in that the dog cannot cope when people are not around.
Learned Behaviour – normally found with rescue dogs. - Breeds – some breeds are more prone to being escape artists, especially if their needs are not being met. According to statistics from an overseas dog tracking company ‘Whistle’, these are the dogs that tend to escape more and we have restricted the breeds to those that are found in SA – Bloodhound, Coonhounds, Pitbull mixes, Belgium Malinois, St Bernard, Great Dane, American Bulldog, Standard Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog, Australian Shepherd. Although not on the list that Whistle provided, we have also found that the Husky, Collie and Collie crosses are reasonably common.
- Intact dog – will be more likely to escape to perform natural sexual urges especially if a male dog and he can smell a female in heat – remember that a dog can scent a female in season from a great distance.
- Boredom/Frustration .
- Social Isolation– not sufficient human/canine interaction, especially if an only dog. In cases such as this, getting a 2nd not is not recommended, as you very often end up with two dogs escaping – the reason for the behaviour must be determined and changed first and foremost.
- Barren, boring environment with lack of mental stimulation
- Lack of exercise – especially if an adolescent dog or a breed that really need a lot of exercise.
- The running away can be reinforced further if the dog goes to dogs nearby or the neighbour where other dogs or people are. Another area that could further reinforce the behaviour is in the case of a dog that will jump a fence to hunt – although this tends to happen more in farm areas.
- Fear – it could well be that the escaping behaviour only happens when a storm is eminent, or on the day a lawnmower is used next door, or when a dustbin truck arrives or similar.
Your number one step is to prevent the behaviour by preventing the dog escaping in the first place and these pictures below will give you some ideas. As soon as you have secured the area, we really do suggest that you get hold of a professional canine behaviourist that can help you to bring in the modifications that can help to change this behaviour.