[Peppy's Mum]

Can dogs 'learn' a bad behaviour to the point that they do it just cause they've 'learned' it, if that makes sense.

Peppy still digs under the fence and out of the yard occasionally, he almost got cleaned up by a car the other day :shock:
I cant understand why he does it. He has another dog and lots of toys to play with, gets walked 5-6 times a week for 30-40 minutes and when he does get out he doesnt wonder, he stays outside the house.

Although I dont know anything of Peppy before I got him, I assume he did escape with his old owners.

So is it possible that Peppy still does this, even though he really has no need to, because he knows nothing else? Like you know how we can get into a habit that we keep doing over and over and after awhile we dont even know why anymore?

Okies hope this made sense. Im just trying to find some answers

 

[jennifer]

I had a jackrussell that use to do that i use to chase him up and down the street. you can line your yard with cinder blocks or only put him in the yard on a tie out , or get an electrical dog fence. GOOD LUCK!!!!!! :wave: :wave:

 

[ilovesadie]

Dogs do a lot of "pointless" and even crazy things. Most often, they do this because they are bored. Try and find something to preoccupy him, enrich his environment, tire him out by taking him on longer or more frequent walks. Play games that involve "searching" the interior of the fence, so he will pay more attention to what's going on inside versus outside.

You may also have something on outside the fence you are unaware of like a squirrel or bird nest that you dog is frantically trying to get to.

If your dog continues to get out, I suggest you keep him indoors for his safety, and is only allowed outside under supervision. Rather be safe than sorry right?

 

[Peppy's Mum]

.

If your dog continues to get out, I suggest you keep him indoors for his safety, and is only allowed outside under supervision. Rather be safe than sorry right?

He'd be inside permantley if I live out of home but I dont and mum doesnt allow the dogs inside. All the remaining holes he has been getting out of have been filled with bricks! Lets see him dig through that.

Im just trying to see if I can find a permanent solution for his problem. Ill use some of your suggestions. Get him some new toys etc, and one of those reward balls cause he loves his food. Ill check around the outside of the yard for birds nests etc. Thanks :wave:

 

[luv4mygirls]

is he nuetered? not being nuetered leads to a tendency or desire to roam.

taking him on longer more frequent walks is a great idea... my pit used to try to jump the fence so i started taking him out much more often and i would let him lead the way. and every day he would go the same route. peeing on every tree and fence that he peed on the day before. it's a communication thing, other dogs pee there leaving behind "messages" and i guess he felt that he had to go check his messages. every once in a while one of the messages would p*ss him off cause he would growl and kick at the grass right where he just sniffed.

 

[Rachael Polachek]

i guess he felt that he had to go check his messages.

That totally cracked me up. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Seren]

Me too ! :lol:

 

[chloe]

Chihuahuas are such little dogs that I really wouldn't feel safe always having him outside by himself like that. Is there anyway you could convince your mom to let him stay inside, for his own safety? Chihuahuas aren't meant to be outdoor dogs. Or at least buy some sort of large crate/playpen that you can keep outside so he has plenty of room to play in but not get out of.

 

[Peppy's Mum]

I wish Chole but you dont know my mum

luvmypuppet: yes he is neutered (sp)