Aussie Escape Artist

[funkymamajoy]

We have a 10 month old Australian Shepherd who is very well behaved, except he gets out when we're gone. He has gotten out of the yard (over the fence) and through three different windows in the house (including the little one over the kitchen sink). We are trying crate training but he is bending the crate and scraping up his nose.

He gets two walks and/or runs a day for 1-5 miles each, depending on time. Then we play fetch when we get back. We do some obedience training throughout the day too. We're not away from the house much and we try to take him with us when we can, but obviously we can't take him everywhere.

Will he grow out of this? Is there anything else I can do now to keep him home and safe?

[Heavenly]

Is your yard big enough to get a dog run that has a roof on it? I don't see how he would manage to get out of that. You can get ones that are a good size and that have a hard roof to protect from rain or snow.

[stardogs]

The part about him going through windows would concern me - could he have separation anxiety or thunderphobia? I've not met dogs that escape to escape who break windows to get out.

If you're dealing with anxiety, your best bet is to see a veterinary behaviorist who is able to diagnose and prescribe meds if needed. Regular vets can prescribe too but often don't have the additional training in behavioral issues to determine a training plan to go along with the meds.

[funkymamajoy]

We haven't had any thunder for him to be afraid of but I'm thinking that its probably separation anxiety since he only does this when we're gone.

He hasn't actually broken a window, just the screens. But now that he knows he can get out that way, I'm afraid he will break a window.

We are working on a dog run that will connect to the garage, so he can go in and out, but its going to be a few weeks.

I forgot to add that he is intact but we are planning on nuetering him. Will that help?

[stardogs]

Neutering may help, especially if part of his behavior is related to a female in heat nearby (within 2 miles), but it won't solve it and may not do a thing if it's anxiety based. Since he is getting loose periodically I'd neuter him though because he may be adding to the pet overpopulation problem.

If you think this is possibly separation anxiety, you need to get extra help - it generally will not go away on its own. For resources I really like Patricia McConnell's booklet "I'll Be Home Soon".