Q: I know that you probably won't have an answer to my question but I am leaving for vacation soon and I need help with my dog. She is an 8 year old Border Collie and an escape artist. I have a somewhat tall fenced in backyard and my dog has never really proven to be a jumping dog throughout her life. But this past week, she has run away 4 times. I noticed that a part of the fence was kind of loose, so I bolted it down using a wooden stake. I couldn't find any holes on the ground where she could have crawled under the fence. Please respond. 

A: Please, do not leave her outside until you figure out how she is getting out and can stop her! 4 times... you are very lucky you were able to find her and she was not hurt or worse.

First, if she comes when called no matter what, you can do a test to see how she is getting out, to help you figure out what you need to fix. Put her in your yard, go out front and call her. Once she is out, quickly call her to you! Does she only get out when you are not home? If so, you can pretend you are leaving. For example, pull the car out of the driveway and just go down the block and then sneak back to watch. Or, better yet, have a friend your dog doesn't know stationed where she can see most of the fence if possible, like in the neighbor's yard, when you leave. She may be using something to climb up on, like a trash container, or she may have just figured out she can climb over the fence.

If she is climbing the fence, you can quickly add an anti-climbing top to the fence. It might not be pretty, but it will work until you get back from vacation and decide if you want to raise the fence permanently or try an underground or instant fence (see links below). These require the dog wear an electronic radio collar, and receive training - which is why it probably wouldn't work in time for vacation.

An anti-climbing top can be as simple as PVC plastic piping or large rubber tubes (at least 5-6" in diameter) cut lengthwise down the center, and placed all along the top of all of your fence. This makes a curved, slippery surface that a dog - or cat - can't get a grip on to get over the top of the fence. Another option is buying rolls of garden fence, the metal mesh kind that you can bend, sometimes called rabbit fencing. Get the 3' aprox height one, enough to go along the top of your entire fence. If your fence is wooden, you unroll the fencing and can staple gun it onto the wood (a helper is necessary). You can use wire to attach it to an iron fence. Then bend it in half to make a 90 degree angle. Your dog will not be able to climb the wobbly wire hanging over his head. Pet supply stores also sell "cat" fencing which should work for a dog as well.

If she is getting out some other way, you can repair it! Another option, if you can't see how she gets out (or if she doesn't come when called) is to set up a tie out or enclosed kennel/dog run for her while you are gone, if she must spend time outside unleashed. You'll need to purchase this and try her with it to make sure she is ok being left on it for whatever length of time she is being left outside, before you go on vacation. 

For all this equipment, try your local pet supply store, or you can use the links below. Also, Petopia has a great article called "Houdini Hound" with more ideas to help you, at   http://www.petopia.com/behavior/dog_houdini.asp?holiday=4&tab=1&subtab=0

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/sc_view.cfm?pCatId=84  is a direct link to a selection of tie outs, you don't have to buy them there but that will give you an idea of the different types. The aerial dog run is the safest (least chance of entanglement). Also http://www.petsmart.com/dog/shopping/tie_outs___chains/psearch.shtml (go for the super strong one).

And http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/sc_view.cfm?pCatId=85 has "underground, hidden and instant" containment systems, for when you come back and have time for training.

Hope that helps!

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Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA
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