Padlocks are a great idea. Finding the method of escape should be a priority. I had a lab here that I was kind of fostering, and he would escape from my back yard without any evidence of how he was getting out. Finally I saw the side gate opened on the bottom just a crack. The thing was, there was a lock on it so I couldn't figure out how he was getting out. I was blaming my husband for not locking it since he's the only one that uses that gate. So, I started to let the dog out and spy on him without letting him see me. I saw the dog use his tongue to slide the lock! It was a stiff bolt too that required some strength to lock in place. I had to put a 3rd bolt in the middle to stop him. If I hadn't spyed I wouldn't have seen how he was doing it. Luckily my other dogs would come to the front door and alert me so he didn't get farther than a few houses away.

Sometimes neighbors won't 'know' anything about the incident but then if you ask if they saw anything, they'll remember something. It's also possible that if your dog has tags with your name and phone number, someone from another street could have brought him home.

Well still not sure what happened but I have taken all your advice adn use locks, put up a sign and keep him kenneled.
But does'nt this defeat the purpose of having a gaurd dog.
If someone was to come in the dog is already crated,
What can I do so he is not so friendly of trusting.
I would like it if he did not let people pet him...

Ken, I don't know what your idea of a guard dog would be but I don't believe he qualifies.
Regardless you should escape proof your fence & gates.
Hard to believe anyone would come in & tie your dog up for no reason at all.

Good Luck

 Quote:

What can I do so he is not so friendly of trusting.
I would like it if he did not let people pet him...

Making an already friendly dog "unfriendly" is abusive, IMHO. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />