Note: Julia Thomson is a routine contributor to That Mutt. checked out more of her posts here.
When we very first embraced Baxter, our plan was that he would stay in an outside dog run when we weren’t home. We believed that was a nicer atmosphere than being locked in the home alone all day.
There was a fenced run behind our little barn as well as it linked to an insulated dog home inside the barn.
We cut down the weeds, cleaned out the home as well as developed an awning to provide additional shade. It seemed like a fantastic area for a dog. particularly one like ours that likes being outside, sniffing all of the smells as well as watching all of the birds as well as animals.
However, Baxter hated the run.
My dog is an getaway artist
The very first time we put him in it, he didn’t even make it a minute.
It turned out the space between the entrance as well as the fence was huge enough, as well as our dog is strong sufficient that he might push his method out.
I changed the hinge, tightened up the screws as well as closed the gap.
It didn’t work. Bax braced his shoulders as well as still pushed his method out.
I added a second latch at the bottom of the gate. The result of that was a tunnel.
We weren’t prepared to provide up though. My hubby as well as my father in law laid fit together along the bottom of the run as well as wired it to the fence along the perimeter. I buried the fit together in dirt as well as then covered everything with a layer of wood chips. The result was more excavation as well as one more presentation of Baxter’s strength–this time in his teeth. He shredded the mesh.
We still weren’t prepared to provide up. I added patio slabs in front of the entrance where Baxter most liked to dig.
Using training to assist our dog adjust
While we were attempting to develop an escape-proof run, we were likewise utilizing the usual methods to assist him acclimatize.
Start with a short amount of time as well as slowly develop up. provide him treats or a Kong (he was as well upset to eat). I even tried staying in view—going as far as sitting in the run with him—to assist him stay calm.
Our patio slabs ultimately worked, as well as we handled to make it as much as about 3 hours in the run at a time.
However, Bax still wasn’t happy. My hubby as well as I didn’t feel positive that he would stay in the run if we weren’t home, and, most importantly, we didn’t want to stress him out all day.
Bax did fine when we left him alone in the house—even with total flexibility to the whole house—so that’s exactly how we handle our days when we’re at work. To me, it doesn’t seem as fascinating as being outside, however it’s what works finest for Bax.
The lesson I take away from this experience is that it’s important to listen to what your dog is telling you, be flexible, be patient as well as come up with solutions that work for both of you.
Does anyone else have an getaway artist dog?
Any other training failures to share?
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Read more of Julia’s posts HERE.
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