Kelpie Escape Artist

[Reddii]

A friend of mine just asked me a question because I am the local dog nut at work. She has a Kelpie Cross who at 10 months has decided that next door is far more exciting than home. If the gate is open he bolts, if the gate is shut it is finding a way out. I've said find out where it is getting out and block the escape route and invest some serious time in recall (it has next to none apparently.) Aside from that tie it up during the day or keep it inside until the problem is solved. (OH is always at home)

Any thoughts on where she can turn next - I've suggested a professional trainer to help her out, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Guest rhapsodical78]

A friend of mine just asked me a question because I am the local dog nut at work. She has a Kelpie Cross who at 10 months has decided that next door is far more exciting than home. If the gate is open he bolts, if the gate is shut it is finding a way out. I've said find out where it is getting out and block the escape route and invest some serious time in recall (it has next to none apparently.) Aside from that tie it up during the day or keep it inside until the problem is solved. (OH is always at home)

Any thoughts on where she can turn next - I've suggested a professional trainer to help her out, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Those are good solutions for containment, but I guess the question that this scenario poses is; why is the dog trying to escape? I know some dogs just find the act self-rewarding, but kelpies are extremely intelligent dogs with a lot of drive. Is it possible that the dog is mentally understimulated or not getting enough exercise? How long is it home alone for during the day and how is the dog escaping? Also, what is it next door that the dog is interested in reaching?

Edited November 21, 2007 by rhapsodical78

[Reddii]

A friend of mine just asked me a question because I am the local dog nut at work. She has a Kelpie Cross who at 10 months has decided that next door is far more exciting than home. If the gate is open he bolts, if the gate is shut it is finding a way out. I've said find out where it is getting out and block the escape route and invest some serious time in recall (it has next to none apparently.) Aside from that tie it up during the day or keep it inside until the problem is solved. (OH is always at home)

Any thoughts on where she can turn next - I've suggested a professional trainer to help her out, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Those are good solutions for containment, but I guess the question that this scenario poses is; why is the dog trying to escape? I know some dogs just find the act self-rewarding, but kelpies are extremely intelligent dogs with a lot of drive. Is it possible that the dog is mentally understimulated or not getting enough exercise? How long is it home alone for during the day and how is the dog escaping? Also, what is it next door that the dog is interested in reaching?

I think you've hit the nail on the head, whilst it's not kept at home alone - there is always someone there - it is understimulated. She laughs at me when I talk about the amount of training I do with my two BC's. (running late for agility as we speak!) She thinks there is another dog there and that is why he is running off. I've told her to work out how the dog is getting out as a starting point, but I really think the answer lies in more work on her part. Just thought I'd see if there were any suggestions I hadn't thought of.

[jesomil]

Training, training, training.

I agree with what Rhapsodical78 said.

At a guess, i bet the dog has absolutely no training and probably isnt aware of his place in the pack. He probably has less than adequate exercise as well. An an lead walk every day would do little to satisfy his physical requirements.

What active dog wouldnt try and jump the fence if they were going brain dead in the backyard. These types of dogs need a purpose in life.

She needs to first of all spend time every day training the pup. It needs to be mentally tired. Things like kongs every day that he has to work for, or hiding food around the yard, chaining a bone to a tree. It would also be great to get a recall happening so she can take him free running everyday. Just a few ideas..... there are many more though.

Obviously the yard has to be fixed up so he cant escape too.

[Kelpie-i]

It's a funny thing that this thread has been raised as my boy had taken up the recreational sport of fence jumping a few weeks ago. He is regularly worked and trained, so lack of stimulation isn't his excuse.

It started one day when I had some tradesmen come and do some work on the roof. All of the drilling and hammering spooked him and so he jumped the fence. We live on 16 acres so once he successfully attempted the first jump and caught sight of the goats in the paddock........well you get the drift.

The little bastard would jump at every opportunity, no matter how worn out he was. He wanted more, more more damn it!! The act was certainly a self rewarding one for him.

The only thing that has stopped him has been a hot wire on the fence. You can buy these at Bunnings and all you need is a 12volt unit with a 12 volt battery - and the hot wire itself of course. Easy peasy to install and your dog will only attempt to escape once after that!

However, with your friend owning a working dog, don't be surprised if the dog exchanges one problem behaviour for another like barking, which is why she needs to keep the dog stimulated with lots of activity and training on a regular basis......especially kelpies.

[jesomil]

It's a funny thing that this thread has been raised as my boy had taken up the recreational sport of fence jumping a few weeks ago. He is regularly worked and trained, so lack of stimulation isn't his excuse.

Wow, well there goes my theory then

The wire is a brilliant idea .

I was horrified one day to find my Kelpie balancing on top of the 6ft fence being patted by tradesman next door. He was balancing just like how a cat does. So he can jump our fences but luckily there is nothing interesting on the other side so he doesnt do it.

[Kelpie-i]

I was horrified one day to find my Kelpie balancing on top of the 6ft fence being patted by tradesman next door. He was balancing just like how a cat does. So he can jump our fences but luckily there is nothing interesting on the other side so he doesnt do it.

Wow Jesomil, did you take photos? Now that I would have liked to see.....the balancing kelpie

Imagine how embarrassing it was for me, a dog trainer with a dog who is a fence jumper. He now stands approx 25 metres away from the fence and won't go anywhere near it. Fixed his little red wagon

[Erny]

So you're not going to be teaching/competing in this, Kelpie-i ? .......................

[Kelpie-i]

:D No, not with this little bugger........it was his father who came 2nd in this competion clearing 9ft, so the genetics are certainly there.

Our bitch Tasha has been entered many times and has managed 7.5ft jump.......if anything I would have thought she'd be the problem jumper not Gabe since he's lanky and clumsy. Didn't he prove me wrong!!!

[Kavik]

My old girl Belle who was only 16 inches and 11 kg could scale our 6 ft fence at my parents Our fault - was only a small fence when we got her, didn't expect her to get over, and when she did we raised it by increments so she learned to get over. What fixed it was a total overhaul of the fence and moving the flower beds she used as a head start, and age, she was 15 by the time she could no longer get out

Luckily none of my others have been interested in getting out. Kaos can certainly jump high Not only can he jump up and give you kisses if you are standing up, my parents have a sliding glass door for the back, and when he jumps he gets nearly to the top! Good thing he doesn't try to jump fences . . . though mine are now 6ft colourbond, so not likely he could get over that :D

[Reddii]

As kids we had a BC called Shadow - he was the most gorgeous dog I have ever known. Totally untrained and out of control as a kids dog was in those days, but loved us to death and never left out side.

We have pics of him jumping alongside a 5 ft pool fence and clearing it with his hind legs from a standing start. He never once left the yard though, unless the gate was left open by mistake.

Funniest thing ever was (going further ) was when a big doberman Shadow used to fight with through our gate jumped into the yard one night and ate his food. Dad was watching, but was in his 'pj's' and could not do anything but watch. Any way, the dobe came into the yard, finished off Shadow's dinner, had a drink all without Shadow making a sound or coming into view. (Was only a 1/4 acre block so he had to be hiding just out of sight). Mr Dobe had had his fill and jumped back over the front fence. By the time his front feet had hit the ground he had a rabid border collie telling him to keep going and not come back at the gate behind him! :D