How to Train Your Dog to Stop Escaping

Hello Allie, First, I wouldn't allow pup out in the fenced area without you out there to enforce any training you do, unless you have placed something at the bottom of the gate to prevent pup from escaping when you aren't there. As far as training, start working on a reliable Come, progressing to practicing around other dogs. Check out the Reel In method from the article linked below. Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall While working on Come also work on the gate bolting itself. Attach a thirty or fifty foot leash to a padded back clip harness that he can't slip out of. Attach the other end of the leash to something sturdy like a tree (the leash is a safety measure). With the leash slack and only there "just in case", act like you are going out the gate. Start to open the gate and whenever pup tries to go toward it, quickly close it. Your goal isn't to hit him but he may get a slight bump if he is especially pushy. Practice opening and closing the gate until you can open it and he will wait until it is open further. When he is waiting a bit, then get between him and the gate and play goalie with the opening. Opening the gate wide enough for you to get through, then whenever pup tries to get through firmly but calmly take several steps toward him to make him back up. By doing this you are communicating that you own that space and asking for his respect. Don't worry about bumping into him a little bit if he won't move out of the way - your attitude needs to mean business and be calm without being angry at all. Once you can open the gate and he will stay back and not try to rush through, then you can praise and toss a treat. You will gradually practice opening the gate more and more and blocking him from getting through and walking toward him to make him back up and wait. Take steps toward him until he is at least two feet from the door AND two feet away from you - those two distances often equal him giving you respect (and not simply waiting to get past you when you move), and waiting at the gate (instead of trying to bolt or crawl under). It will feel a lot like you are a soccer goalie, having to be quick and focused. When you can open the gate completely and he will wait, take a step through the gate to the outside of the fence. If he tries to follow, rush toward him, making him backup again quickly. This serves as a natural consequence and encourages him to stay back. If he waits patiently, then praise and toss a treat at his paws. Practice at that distance until he will stay back. As he improves, take more and more steps, moving outside, further away into your unfenced yard eventually. Be ready to quickly rush toward him as soon as you see him start to move, to keep him from getting outside the fence (this is why you back the long leash on him, just in case he gets past you, but for training purposes the goal is to keep him from getting out so he isn't rewarded for bolting). When he will stay inside the fenced yard while you stand in the unfenced yard, then recruit others to be distractions outside. Expect to stay a bit closer to him when you first add a hard distraction - like another dog walking past, a walker, kids playing in the yard, balls being tossed. Imagine what types of things he may one day see outside and choose distractions that are at least that difficult to practice this around. Expect to practice this as often as you can, along with Come for several weeks, not just a couple of sessions, until you get to where he is completely reliable with distractions like dogs and kids in your yard with the gate completely open - but long training leash on during practice for safety. I would also find a way to secure the gate so pup can't slip under it if at all possible. The above training will help pup stay in the fence better, especially when you are around, but it won't guarantee it, especially when you are not around. If you absolutely cannot change the yard or gate to make the gap smaller, I would look into a pet barrier device that will correct pup for approaching the gate automatically, and add that after pup has learned through your training with the long leash to not bolt through the gate. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Jan. 27, 2021

Hello Raquel, First, I recommend teaching a reliable Come command. Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Come: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ Second, assuming pup is staying outside in a physical fence - and not just a small kennel enclosure right now. If so, I recommend installing an invisible fence two feet inside of your physical fence around the yard. The electric fence should help pup not to even approach the physical fence so that he won't have opportunity to dig or climb it. The invisible in-ground electric fence should only be paired with the real fence and not in place of it, or it will not be effective. There still needs to be a physical barrier so that pup can't just bolt through the electric fence quickly. If pup is a fence climber and not also a digger, then you may want to consider this option. https://easypetfence.com/products/6-cat-fence-post-with-extender-and-sleeve?variant=37536085322&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiA8Jf-BRB-EiwAWDtEGiQ2lkQobdPfwxU3h2oWwLW7EZVYOBxOgyHWPGAgtgNp8SJy1YkRdhoCTpMQAvD_BwE Either way, I highly recommend working on stimulating pup mentally and physically too. Spending at least thirty minute a day teaching pup new commands or tricks or working pup up to a higher skill on current commands, giving pup interactive toys, and finding ways to make life outside less lonely for pup. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Dec. 1, 2020