I am hoping someone can help me. I have a 16 mo mixed breed dog who will not stay in the dog run. My other dog is fine, but this one won't.

He broke the latch on the gate, so i replaced the latch with stronger ones.

He pulled the kennel fencing away from the posts, so I reinforced it.

He dug his way out, so I lined the entire thing with cinderblocks.

He jumped the fence, so i made it taller.

He tore the plexiglass roof off.

He jumped it again, so I made it as tall as the posts were, and he still jumped it.

I put a electric wire along the top and he gave a yelp but jumped it anyway.

The only thing that works is to put him in his dog crate and bungee cord it closed (he bent the metal bars to get out before). But that is unfair to keep him in there for long periods of time. I built the outdoor dog area so the dogs could be out while we are at work.

I am at a loss. Someone please help me.

[Lara's mom]

That is one smart and determined dog!!!

[german sheep]

hi jl2009,

how long do you have your dog? How old were he when you got it?
Did he show this behaviour from the beginning or when did it start?

How is his behaviour when you're at home?
How long do the dogs stay without supervision when you are at work?

How is his behaviour outside when you go for a walk?

Obviously you dog wasn't allowed to learn to stay alone without stress.
Not every dog can stay at home without stressing itself up.

Please answer my questions

LG
german sheep

I have had him since he was 8 weeks old.

He has never liked being in the dog run. But now that he knows he can escape, he refuses to be in there. He jumps out of the dog pen immediately.

He is fine everywhere else--in the house, in his crate, etc. He's a little nervous sometimes, but nothing over the top.

He can stay home along inside the house just fine. Doesn't even chew too much. Just lays around with my other dog.

[german sheep]

Hello jl2009,

your dog has already made bad experiences with this dog run and the space around.


Your first job is, to break up this assignment.
Put him in the dog run and leave him, when he comes out compliment him, because from his point of view he did nothing wrong! Then:

Go with him inside and do something he really likes. Give him treats, let him work something for you. Sit down and pet him, everything he really enjoys.
Then you invite him actively to go out of it, so that he knows that everything is your decision. Start from the beginning.
Do this as long as he goes in it without a bad feeling. You see it, when your dog goes inside and can lie down quickly, without to hackle.

Then you can start the training, because you have taken the link from his mind: dog run = mommy leaves me

Go inside the dog run with him, give him a treat and look what happenes, when you take one step away from him. If he stays where he is, go back immediately to him and leave him a treat on the floor. This is important, when you give the treat by hand he must follow your hand lately, but he should stay and by laying him the treats on the floor the space around him is positiv.

Then you can wait for a moment with your treat. Step by step you build up the distance and the time to praise him, until you can leave the room for a short time.

The time must build up minute by minute. Don't forget. Is your dog leaving the dog run you were to fast in your training steps.

Then you have to find "key sounds" something your dog reacts by hearing this noise because he has a special expectation to the following situation. For exampel a key or taking the leash or opening the fridge door or a bag of chips... with this noises you start from the beginning: you together with your dog in the dog run and a helping hand to provocate with the sounds...

So that your dog has no success in leaving the dog run, put him on the leash to help yourself. If he wants to jump out block the way with you body, but leave all voice commands!

If there are any questions, write again

gs

[Lara's mom]

I got a crate for Lara when I first brought her home. What a waste of money! There was NO way she was going to stay in that crate without screaming at the top of her lungs from the time she was put in there until the time she was let out.

I tried toys, treats; you name it. I tried it. Nothing worked. I finally bought a baby gate so that I could confine her in one room with her paper. The gate was low enough for Bailey to jump over if she wanted out of the room but it contained Lara. She was quite happy with that arrangement. I never heard a peep out of her once that stupid crate was no longer an issue.

I understand the concept and the benefits of using a crate but, I've come to learn that it is not the answer for all dogs. The crate has been taken apart and is now in my locker collecting dust. Lara no longer needs the baby gate so, I gave it away to a friend with a rabbit that he needed to confine in one room while he was out. As for that crate, I'll sell it at our buildings next garage sale and will hopefully get a reasonable portion of the money I spent on it back.