I adopted a dog from our local humane society almost two years ago. He was approximately 10 months old and had been kept 'penned' in a 4X8 enclosure since the previous owner purchased him at 12 weeks.

He had run-off on them also--thus the reason he was at the pound. (He had been there almost 2 months before the owner decided to claim him... the owner never showed up so they allowed me to adopt him. The owner finally showed up--but he had already been fixed and they no longer wanted him because he was neutered.:rolleyes: ) He was very good about staying on our property until late last summer. We have 12 acres and he only goes out with the kids or my husband and I. He'd disappear for about 20-30 minutes but would come when he was called... repeatedly.:o I began to get calls from our neighbors--it seems that he was making the rounds to houses with pools and jumping in for a swim then coming home. We bought him a pool and started taking him to the lake, but he continued to do this.

I put him on his leash and walked the boundaries each day--he is great when you are looking at him--as soon as he thinks you're not looking--he sneaks off. I figured out his little path and if I can get him in sight and yell at him--he comes right back. But this is getting ridiculous! I have to watch him like a hawk or keep him on a leash. He knows he can pull loose from the kids--so they can't take him out.

People have suggested a 'shock collar'--but that is really not the way I want to do this--besides, I worry if I don't use it properly--it will have an opposite effect on him. He's a wonderful dog. I can't afford to fence in 12 acres and Invisa-fence is very expensive. I know he's smart enough to learn--he's smart enough to figure out how to sneak off!

Any suggestions?

This is completely out of my experience. The urge to roam is very strong in some dogs. Although many do a fair job of staying home, I doubt some can be trained to do so. I love the idea of the kids and dog roaming your 12 acres, but I don't know that it can be done. I am afraid you will have to settle for some sort of a fence.

I doubt the shock collar is the right idea either. He may quickly figure out if you aren't around, no shock.

Thanks, I guess that settles where my income tax return is going to be spent this year! I don't like the idea of putting him in a small enclosure and chaining him isn't a good idea either. But the neighbor complaining about the dog hair in their pool is really annoying and a little embarrassing!

I don't regret adopting him, he's a wonderful dog!

You could build a dog run so that he can be outside and still have some freedom without the worry of getting off the property. The dog collar? Dogs are smart enough to figure out how to move that collar so that it does not shock them very hard. There are invisible fences - the underground wire ones that do produce a shock when the dog steps on the boundary. They do not know who did it to them. There are also sensors I have seen advertised that can be placed on the boundary lines - I do not know if those work.

Good luck!

Hi again Robynhgl!

I always love to hear that people have adopted animals. Warms my heart. And, it is also nice to hear that you are concerned about upsetting your neighbors. I wish my neighbors were that considerate!

I also have a lot of acreage. 99% of the time, my dog stays by my side. Unfortunately, that 1% is always a problem and I never can anticipate when it is going to happen.

If there is something out there that is more interesting than what we are doing, dogs will always follow their noses. Unless your dog completely accepts that you are the alpha and, you are always outside when he is outside, he won't do what you want him to do.

Shygrneyzs idea of a run is a very good one. They are an inexpensive solution to your problem. You can buy a 100' run that can be attached between two large trees. You don't have to use it all the time. Just for those moments that you can't keep your eyes on the dog.

Even though I have 14 acres, my dog is always either on a rectractable lead when we are walking around the property or, what I have found works very well is a 30 foot rope. I think they are called horse training leads.? Basically they have the leash attachment at one end. She runs around with that attached. There is no fear of her getting hurt because it does not have the loop at the end. All I do when she decides to wander off is step on the rope. It allows me the freedom of working in my yard and allows her to hang outside with me in a safe manner. So, that is another option for you to use.

Try both of those ideas first. If they prove to be not as effective as you would like, then it would be time to consider some type of pen. I have a personal prejudice against shock collars and the like.

Thinking some more about this. If he is used to having a large area to run free, it will be difficult for him accept a much smaller area. I have little more than 50' x 50' fenced for my dogs, and they grow up with it and are content. Some of them bark to come in soon after relieving themselves. Others stay out for hours.

Do your neighbors have unfenced pools, or is he jumping them? Unfenced pools are a big liability, and fence jumping dogs can be a pain.

Shy & Ruby... thanks for the input. I've looked at the invisible fences and I'm not sure if it would work here. Like Ruby--my dog will stay right with me a majority of the time, but I have to keep him 'entertained'. (Okay--he's a little spoiled.) The dog run sounds like a good idea--he'd still have space but only as much as I will allow. I will also try the lead rope--I like the idea of being able to keep him loose yet still be in control. Especially knowing that I could grab him before he gets too far. It may work as a psychological tool too. I'm going to buy one tomorrow and start working him with it.

Labman--he's not jumping fences, he's found places where he can get around them. The pools in the neighborhood are not fenced. Everyone out here has to have at least 10 acres to build a house. I don't think my township enforces any rules regarding pools. I would fence in mine--not just because of the kids, but as a safety factor to the animals here also.