Why Does My Dog Like To Run Away From Home?

Are there other dogs nearby, especially if they are the opposite gender of your dog?

Are there any small animals in the neighborhood, like cats, rabbits, or squirrels?

Are there many thunderstorms (or other sources of loud noises) in your area?

If your boy dog can smell a female nearby, especially if she’s in heat, he will put in a lot of effort to jump the fence and go meet her. Females, especially females in heat, may also escape to go find a suitor. Neutering your male dog and spaying your female dog can help reduce this problem but it won’t necessarily prevent your dog from ever deciding to wander.

Many dogs readily jump fences or escape the yard to chase down a potential prey item. While this is a bit more common in prey-driven breeds like Huskies, almost all dogs naturally enjoy chasing small animals. Leaving your dog unattended to chase squirrels or bunnies will almost always result in a dog who enjoys this hobby more and more. Supervising your dog, giving him something better to do, and improving your fencing can all help prevent your dog from escaping to chase other animals.

Even the most well-behaved dogs may try to escape if they’re scared. This problem is especially common during summer thunderstorms or fireworks. Securing your dog during thunderstorms and fireworks will help keep your dog safe. Keep your dog inside and do your best to soothe her fears about loud noises with calming treats, white noise, and ThunderShirts.

The number one reason why dogs run from home is boredom. If they’re left alone in the yard with nothing better to do, and it’s not that hard to get out they will take themselves out on a little walk around the neighborhood. Solve this by supervising your dog, giving him proper exercise, and giving him chew toys to keep him busy.