It can be quite worrisome when your dog runs away from home. First, you’re confronted with the fear that they’ve gotten lost and can’t find their way, and that it’s up to you to find them and bring them back. Then, your mind could wander to worse situations – like them running in the road and putting themselves in danger, or running off into the woods where they could confront some aggressive wild animals. Suffice to say it’s always better if you can avoid your dog running away in the first place. It’ll keep your general level of stress down and it will help to make sure your pet stays happy and safe.
Get Them Used To The Leash
If you keep your dog on a leash often then they will get accustomed to staying nearby – so much so that they won’t even run away when you’re not holding the leash or even when they’re not wearing the leash as time goes on. If you want to leave your dog alone outside for a longer period of time, you can also try a longer leash tied to a tree or a fence pole. Do keep in mind that your dog can get tangled though, so you do have to keep an eye on them so that they don’t get hurt. Be especially careful if you have an uneven yard where they could fall with the leash still attached.
Use an Electric Dog Fence
Another tactic you could try is to set your yard up with an electric dog fence. Then, all you have to do is have your dog wear the collar that works with the fence and it will send them a mild shock if they try to go too far. You can get them up to speed with where they can and can’t go by putting flags along the electric fence boundary. This page tells you all about them if this solution sounds like the way to go: www.thiselectrichome.com/best-invisible-wireless-dog-fence-reviews. One thing to keep in mind is that it can take quite a bit of work to get up and running, and there have been circumstances when dogs still get through. Perhaps they’ve gotten better over the years though.
Treat Them Well
A happy dog is usually a well-behaved dog, and if you treat them right they are likely to want to spend as much time with you as they possibly can. Give them plenty of love, petting them often and giving them your undivided attention when they want to play. This means putting your phone down from time to time, which seems to be becoming increasingly difficult as time goes on. Make sure that they feel welcomed and like they are part of the family, rather than simply an animal in your captivity. Dogs may not be able to talk, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t like to be appreciated just like humans do. Giving them treats when they come inside is another trick that will make them always want to come back home for a quick snack.