By Dixie 
My neighbors’ dog has been at my house for three nights. They periodically come to fetch her, put her in their backyard and she often comes right back, blasting through my doggie door.
I don’t mind that their dog is our semi-permanent house guest. I am mostly at home during the daytime, and my dogs accept her as one of their pack. They wrestle, sleep near each other and share toys, food and tons of treats. Me casa es su casa.
But what if you don’t have a retired dog fanatic living next door and your pooch keeps getting trips to the dog pound as a reward for his or her escapades? There are also the big worries of getting lost, hit by cars or attacked by hawks and other critters. And maybe you can’t stand the idea (and expense!) of an electric fence?
What do you do when your pup is a canine David Copperfield? I feel your pain…I had a basset hound mix that spent much of his days methodically poking my chain fence trying to find a loose spot so he could get out. One Saturday during a rather competitive college football season, he got out wearing a University of GA dog jersey and came home a couple of hours later in a GA Tech jersey! At least my neighbor had a sense of humor!
But in case your neighbor doesn’t, here are some tips to keep Rover from roaming:
1. Spay-neuter. If Rover or Ramona isn’t fixed, chances are great that they will smell love in the wind and go a’looking. The closer the object of the affection, the greater the determination to roam. Make sure your pup is neutered (for males) or spayed (females).
2. Make a walk-about in your yard, checking for loose places in your fence, openings that are too wide and gates that aren’t secured. Think like your dog! Poke around about a foot apart all the way around the bottom of the fence. If you have any loose spots, buy some (cheap) tent stakes at WalMart or hardware store and secure the fence. If your pup is a digger and burrows under the fence, you will have to get more creative. You can buy chicken wire and attach it to the bottom of your fence all the way around, leaving about a foot of fencing on the ground. Bury it just under the dirt if you want to hide it and use tent stakes to hold the fencing down.
If you have a wooden fence, definitely do the above idea but be sure to attach the top of the fencing firmly to the wooden fence with regular or u-shaped nails. If your pup is a fence chewer like mine, liberally spray bitter spray on any part of the fence the dog chews or has tried to get out from. Spray at least once a week and after every rain. Be diligent! I use Grannicks Bitter Apple Taste Deterrent for Dogs spray and it works well on my little Termite.
3. For climbing dogs, there are some ideas which may work but do involve some work on your part, or the services of a handyperson friend (who you will owe big time). First, move any items next to your fence that the dog may use to boost himself up on (trashcans, outdoor furniture, etc).
Then check out some solutions: One is to install PVC pipes just above the top of your fence, all the way around. The idea is that the dog uses his paws to jump over a fence and the PVC pipe will roll as he hits it. This is a good solution IF your fence is at least 6 feet high, otherwise, it won’t work because the dog will just hurl himself over the fence anyway.
Here’s a YouTube: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/install-pvc-pipe-top-fence-keep-dogs-jumping-102289.html
Another idea is to install curved garden fencing or inwardly angled fencing at the top of the fence, all the way around including the gates.
4. Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water, good food either in the belly or otherwise available and shelter. Realize a standard dog house is fine to get out of the rain but brutally hot inside during Summer. You have to find another way if it is hot outside-maybe keep them inside during the heat of the day or at least have access to a cooler area like under a porch or under a large tarp so there can be a breeze. If a dog (or a person for that matter) is uncomfortable, ie, thirsty, hungry or wet, hot or cold, they will try to find a way to feel better. You would, right? And the dog may have been out and knows (or can smell that) there is a stream nearby, food bowl at a neighbors house or some wack-a-do dog loving neighbor who will bring him inside. You can’t blame a pup for trying. Make sure your backyard is a pleasant place to stay, not a prison.
And BTW, do bring them in when there is bad weather or fireworks coming. Dogs can sense bad weather a long time before we see the first raindrop and will be desperate to escape your yard to try to get away. That goes double for fireworks. Many, many dogs get lost during thunderstorms and fireworks. Most are never found again. Be proactive and bring them inside!
5. Be sure to always have a collar with rabies and owner tag on your pup at all times. You can also order collars that have your phone number printed: https://www.amazon.com/GoTags-Personalized-Collar-Embroidered-Adjustable/dp/B0075RW2KC/ref=asc_df_B0075RW2KC/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276296515480&psc=1
Ask your vet about microchipping your dog. There is an initial insertion fee, plus an annual fee (under $20). It’s not foolproof, but will increase your odds of getting your pup back if he does escape!
6. Make your pup a part of your family, not an outdoor accessory. Sit and play outside with them, give toys and attention, take them for a long walk every day, take them on car rides and make their life with you worth staying in the yard when home. A dog is truly man and woman’s best friend and like any friendship, it is all about creating a relationship.
Take care of your best buddy! Or send them to me!