About 2 months ago, we unexpectedly took in a 2-3 yr old Aussie that had been abused. After getting into a routine and getting to know everyone, he's a dream dog... not as hyper as Aussies can be, perfect with the kids (no herding tendencies... yet) and has helped our border collie channel his energy & become more manageable. He is always testing the fence to see where he can get out and has on a few occasions. however, about 2 weeks ago he got out (either jumped or went under) after being outside for about a half hour with the border collie. He was returned unharmed, but has so far been more determined than ever to get out. We've resorted to chaining him up when he's outside, which he's broken 2x. We've considered finding a new home for him... this can't go on. We've rethought our routine and have found a few ways to incorporate him in other things and can squeeze more time in for him and the border collie in an already demanding schedule and are willing to try one last time.
We spoke to a few local people who have contacts with aussie rescue groups and said they'd be happy to take him, but haven't returned phone calls or emails since we told them we'd like to try one more time but would like to talk to someone outside and see if/where there is room for improvement. That kinda pissed me off: they're more than willing to get a dog out of what may not be a perfect environment, but don't seem willing to even lift a finger to try to help keep a dog in his home, but that's a different issue.
I've got a couple ideas why he's getting out:
1. Because he can and is confident enough to
2. Outside the fence is more fun than inside the fence
3. Because its a whole new world
The dogs both get alot of attention from all human family members (me, wife & 2 kids.) They also continually entertain each other. One final note, the Aussie tries to get out almost as soon as he's let outside, even when the border collie is out with him. They aren't left out during the day unsupervised and are crated when we aren't home. They usually go outside for a half hour or so before work, out for 45 min-1.5 hours at lunch (depending on how long I can take) and outside on and off in the evening and have free run at night. They usually sleep in our bedroom or in the hallway.
Some things I'm trying to work on:
1. emergency recalls (he does well on leash or off leash in a small area)
2. making in the fence more fun than outside (easier said than done)
3. digging down and securing the bottom of the fence with landscape timbers & rebar every 6" or so
4. looking at ways to raise the height of the fence (36"-48" overall, looking at making at least 4' all the way around. We are wanting to sell the house in the next year or so and don't have the funds to put up a 6' privacy fence. I don't think one of our neighbors would want it anyway... long story
What are we missing and what else can we do? As said before, I think alot of it is that he does it cuz he can and is confindent enough to not care.
We spoke to a few local people who have contacts with aussie rescue groups and said they'd be happy to take him, but haven't returned phone calls or emails since we told them we'd like to try one more time but would like to talk to someone outside and see if/where there is room for improvement. That kinda pissed me off: they're more than willing to get a dog out of what may not be a perfect environment, but don't seem willing to even lift a finger to try to help keep a dog in his home, but that's a different issue.
I've got a couple ideas why he's getting out:
1. Because he can and is confident enough to
2. Outside the fence is more fun than inside the fence
3. Because its a whole new world
The dogs both get alot of attention from all human family members (me, wife & 2 kids.) They also continually entertain each other. One final note, the Aussie tries to get out almost as soon as he's let outside, even when the border collie is out with him. They aren't left out during the day unsupervised and are crated when we aren't home. They usually go outside for a half hour or so before work, out for 45 min-1.5 hours at lunch (depending on how long I can take) and outside on and off in the evening and have free run at night. They usually sleep in our bedroom or in the hallway.
Some things I'm trying to work on:
1. emergency recalls (he does well on leash or off leash in a small area)
2. making in the fence more fun than outside (easier said than done)
3. digging down and securing the bottom of the fence with landscape timbers & rebar every 6" or so
4. looking at ways to raise the height of the fence (36"-48" overall, looking at making at least 4' all the way around. We are wanting to sell the house in the next year or so and don't have the funds to put up a 6' privacy fence. I don't think one of our neighbors would want it anyway... long story
What are we missing and what else can we do? As said before, I think alot of it is that he does it cuz he can and is confindent enough to not care.
