running away

Hi everybody x

I'm experiencing some new problems with my staffie and dont know what to do with her. She keeps running away alot recently. we have a decent size garden so she used to be allowed out there on her own when ever she wanted but now i cannot trust her to do that. i have got a chain for her and now a lot of the time have to chain her up outside, 3 times in the last 10 days she has gotten out and we have had a search party out for her and luckily have been given help getting her back and only had to involve the warden twice. the wardens have said we can get her chipped soon also.
im becoming very frustrated with her lately, shes not due a heat and she is only a yr old approaching. she often gets to go for a walk.
i have tried to prevent her from gettin out the garden but she always seems to find away and i have just been reading about "tail chasing" she sometimes does this and the kids think its funny but i didnt realise this is a sign of boredom, im still quite a bit of a novice when it comes to staffies and am seriously thinking of letting me partner take her home with him as he has owned staffies before and has 2 now and he has offerred to take her off my hands but i dont want to give up on her as she is so loving, sometimes too much and kids will miss he like crazy but i dont know what to do and dont know why she keeps running away - does she not want to be here ??

What sort of fencing do you have? It's best to avoid chaining a Stafford up if possible.

it is only 4ft fence but only moved here less than a yr ago so havent gotten round to putting a big one up as yet x

If possible look into fencing. When I got Logan I put a big fence up round the whole garden. To stop him getting out, and to stop people getting in!

Some of them really are escape artists.

its only been that last week or so, so cant understand why she suddenly wants to be out. currently looking into gettin some new fencing thanks x

you need to do something about your fence!

are you walking her how?

how many times a day?

how long for?

Also at 6 months she is starting to mature and grow into an adult and sometimes this can make them want to stray.

Well, you'll have to work on making the garden escape-proof for her as soon as you can. That'll be the main issue of course, because then if she can't escape, she won't even if she tries.

But also, how much exercise is she getting? How often is she walked, how long for, etc.? She's not running away because she doesn't want to be there, she might just want to explore, it happens.

MatLogan wrote:Also at 6 months she is starting to mature and grow into an adult and sometimes this can make them want to stray.

she is approx 10 mths now - sorry need to update details x

Oh ok, this still could be the case. Just be careful in regards to chaining up. There has been some horror stories of dogs getting tangled up badly in them. Especially dogs as strong and excited as Staffords.

I know it's hard in your position but def look at fencing if possible. Also worth getting around the garden every now and again to see if she's trying to dig out.

MatLogan wrote:Oh ok, this still could be the case. Just be careful in regards to chaining up. There has been some horror stories of dogs getting tangled up badly in them. Especially dogs as strong and excited as Staffords.

I know it's hard in your position but def look at fencing if possible. Also worth getting around the garden every now and again to see if she's trying to dig out.

i have notice her digging - is this bad ??

a 10 month old dog should be getting 2/3 walks per day for 50mins each time

chelsea wrote:i have notice her digging - is this bad ??

It's another sign that she's trying to get out. Putting a few slabs or bricks around where she's digging will stop that.

She sounds like she's frustrated and maybe needs a bit more exercise possibly.

it's a sign of your dog is bored and she not getting enough walks

ok thanks for the advice, i'll try and get her out more often x

If not walked or mentally stimulated enough you will have the problems you are having! She's bored and needing to find her own entertainment.

chelsea wrote:it is only 4ft fence but only moved here less than a yr ago so havent gotten round to putting a big one up as yet x

No dog should be left outside, on their own, without either proper supervision or at least a safe & secure kennel/7' high fencing.

If your dog isn't getting enough exercise she will get it herself - if that means jumping a totally inadequate fence, then that's what she'll do.

Has she been spayed?

Caryll wrote:

chelsea wrote:it is only 4ft fence but only moved here less than a yr ago so havent gotten round to putting a big one up as yet x

No dog should be left outside, on their own, without either proper supervision or at least a safe & secure kennel/7' high fencing.

If your dog isn't getting enough exercise she will get it herself - if that means jumping a totally inadequate fence, then that's what she'll do.

Has she been spayed?

Agree with this. Is she kept inside most of the time? We only let Suki outside if we are there to supervise so she won't run off. Other than using the toilet she is happy to stay indoors and sunbathe next to the glass door.

Do you leave any toys out for stimulation? Kongs/tyres etc?

How much exercise does she get each day ?

It sounds like she isn't getting enough exercise, she would probably need at least 2 walks of about an hour each time, but this can vary from dog to dog.

What is she being fed on ?

Please do not chain up your dog outside this will only exacerbate the problems you already have with her. Sounds like she needs more stimulation, games etc.

A 4 foot fennce is pitiful, i could jump over and steal her, i have heard of dog thefts for dog fighting. My friend told me that around here people knock on your door asking you questions and if you have the type of dog they want they put a sticker on your door and your dog is then targeted. Your girl is a prime target please dont chain her up outside unattended

Yes You definitely need to dog proof your garden, obviously higher fence but also mesh held down with tent pegs around the bottom may help?

Caryll wrote:

chelsea wrote:it is only 4ft fence but only moved here less than a yr ago so havent gotten round to putting a big one up as yet x

No dog should be left outside, on their own, without either proper supervision or at least a safe & secure kennel/7' high fencing.

If your dog isn't getting enough exercise she will get it herself - if that means jumping a totally inadequate fence, then that's what she'll do.

Has she been spayed?

no she hasnt been spayed yet caryll x

jstaff wrote:

Caryll wrote:

chelsea wrote:it is only 4ft fence but only moved here less than a yr ago so havent gotten round to putting a big one up as yet x

No dog should be left outside, on their own, without either proper supervision or at least a safe & secure kennel/7' high fencing.

If your dog isn't getting enough exercise she will get it herself - if that means jumping a totally inadequate fence, then that's what she'll do.

Has she been spayed?

Agree with this. Is she kept inside most of the time? We only let Suki outside if we are there to supervise so she won't run off. Other than using the toilet she is happy to stay indoors and sunbathe next to the glass door.

hi jstaff yes she likes to be indoors mostly and i am attempting to get the fence sorted so that its adequate for her but as i said i havent been living here a yr yet and obviously concentrating on the house mostly as this running away was never a problem previously. its only a new thing.

as for toys im having to replace them alot as she totally destroys them ive tried all different kinds and as for the chain outside its only usually used on night as the garden is black at night and cant see a thing and she is currently being walked twice a day xx

pongy wrote:A 4 foot fennce is pitiful, i could jump over and steal her, i have heard of dog thefts for dog fighting. My friend told me that around here people knock on your door asking you questions and if you have the type of dog they want they put a sticker on your door and your dog is then targeted. Your girl is a prime target please dont chain her up outside unattended

hi pongy at the moment the 4ft fence is only at front which is also covered by bushes etc and ajoining a neighbour and am currently in the process of sorting this and i fully understand that more needs to be done more so as it has only recently become a problem.

thanks for your concerns x