My little escape artist...

jfgrad06

So my chocolate lab puppy got out this morning. Our yard is fenced in. Either she dug a hole somewhere or she climbed out. We already know she can climb over baby gates and whatever else we use to keep her confined. But the fence is 4-5 feet tall so I don't think she climbed out. If she's digging, does anyone have some tips on how to keep her in the yard? Electric fencing comes to mind but I'd hate to go that far if there's an easier solution. Anyone?

tlv204

Did you find her? Did you check along the fence for holes?

AlexiaANDRobert

Ah, Houdini-dogs are my favorite  Okay, for the fence, we bought a 6 ft fence and added 3 feet BELOW ground of chain link fence, so if she dug, she'd have to get to China to get out. GIVE HER TOYS! Make is so amazing at home, that she'll never want to leave. DO NOT leave her unattended and reprimand her every time she goes near the fence.  Pretty soon, she'll get sick of getting yelled at and stay away from the fence. Mostly, make sure she's microchipped or has ID tags.  It's so sad when your dog gets out and you can't find her.Ultimately, we had to get the electric fence for our lab.  It really didn't hurt but it kept him in.  It was Fido Shock.  Each one of us has touched it and gotten a little buzz so we know it's not hurting them.GL!

ThePinkSuperhero

Can people see in from the street?  Could someone have come in and taken her?  Sadly, dogs get stolen all the time.  I hate seeing the LOST signs, it breaks my heart.

jfgrad06

Yes, I found her. Thank goodness!I was getting ready for work and she had only been outside for 10 minutes or so but the little booger got out. I could hear her barking like crazy (which isn't normal for her) but it didn't sound like it was coming from the backyard so I went to check. I saw her running up the street and I yelled for her and she came right back to me (also, not normal. She usually runs circles around me like it's a game. Ugh.)But I got her back with no problems, luckily. I was trying to leave for work so I didn't ahve time to check for holes or damage. I just put her in the house and had to go. I did notice where she had been digging right at the gate but it didn't look big enough for her to get out. I'll check it out with my husband when I get home tonight.

jfgrad06

The fence can be seen from the road but I honestly don't think anyone was out at 6am setting my dog free and then closing the gate back. She just escaped and was running around the neighborhood barking like a big dumby. DH and I have talked about putting locks on the gates though because the dog is smart and knows you just lift the hinged part and she jumps at it like shes trying to open it. Same with out screen doors. All you do is push the handle in to open the door. Yes, they latch but she's strong enough to open them. Ahh, the joys of pet ownership.

jfgrad06

Hah, Alexia, you wouldn't believe how much she has to paly with outside. She has tons of her own toys and still yanks up my flowers, steals the decorative statues, digs up my garden...