I think I need to do something about this soon, especially after reading some posts of what happens when dogs get out. I worried about it but not that badly because of the influence of people around me (my family convinces me everythign is alright and I can be gulliable sometimes!). The deal is that occasionally my dogs get out, and I am not sure what to do because I can't be here all of the time to babysit my brother/his friends and our dogs all of the time. What usually will happen is that my brother sneaks his friends in through the back yard fence into the basement (but now this is like pure habit because my mom already knows and has not problem with them being there.. maybe they just do it to be cool or something), and they will either leave the gate open or not lock it all of the way (and keep in mind this happens at like 12am-3 am, so I usually don't know if it has happened or not). In the morning, I am usually one of the firsts up and I routinely let the dogs in the back yard to do their thing while I eat and get ready for school (I don't have enough time to stay out there with them because of this). Well, sometimes when I open the door and call them back in, I get no response and none of the dogs come back. I look at the gates (Their are two gates and you can't see them without going out there) and there will be a gate open, and my dogs are running loose like maniacs. I might see them outside, and sometimes they will automatically come (especially my old Sheltie), but Jack who is a chow mix will sometimes do his own thing and run away from me, an dI can't chase him down because he just runs more and I am not fast enough to get him. This also happens sometimes when my brother mows the lawn, and I have told everyone a million times to always close the gate or sometimes to not ever USE the gate, and it has improved about 75%, but that is not good enough. I think on average the dogs get loose 3 times a month.

So I am wondering what would be the best solution for this? I don't want my dogs or any animals (or maybe people, who knows) getting hurt and I am sure the neighbors don't like the see them running around like crazies. I was thinking about getting an electric fence to put around our fence so that if a gate is open they will be held back by something, but I am not sure how well that will phase Jack if he sees an animal.. He has somewhat high prey drive. Do you think it would be enough or should I get a normal ecollar too so if I see him running around and I call and he does not come I can discipline him?

I just want to get this dealt with because while it doesn't happen every other day anymore (It literally did happen every other day or so), I don't want them getting out at ALL. Sorry it was a bit long, but overall I feel like a decent dog owner, but whenever they get loose I feel like I shouldn't have dogs...ever! Bleh

1. Obedience train the dogs, learn how to teach a solid come command. It isn't terribly difficult.

2. Buy a padlock and put it on the fence. Don't give anyone else the keys.

Good luck

I was actually thinking about getting a lock! Lol. And I am still working on obedience, I ordered the obedience tape from Leerburg a few days ago to try Ed's method, because mine isn't good enough, I think. =) Thank you!

I was worried about family members fogetting to close the gate.

I remember sitting on my porch, and my wife went out to garden. I watched the porch door. It's the kind that is on a spring mechanism and swings closed by itself. I saw that and wondered why no one has invented a gate to do the same thing.

Took some creative engineering, but now my gate closes and secures on it's own.

Maybe I'll market it.

Meldoy I think you need to probably start doing premiter check before letting the dogs out. It woudl save you time and effort to visually check the gates.

Pad locks would work but then you brother would complain, cut the lock or demand a key and you are back to sqaure one.

I agree train a good "Come" and at least you won't have to chase them down. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I am just hoping I can train Jack well. I heard chows tend to do what they want when they want. I don't really try chasing him that much because I know he thinks it is just some game. I am dying to get my videos and books to try Ed's method.

Adam: If it really works, maybe you should!