In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Will Akitas run away? We will discuss the reasons why an Akita would run away and what to do to prevent this type of behavior.
Will Akitas run away?
Akitas, like any other dog, can run away for several reasons. First, the cause of escaping must be discovered. It may be that the animal has a phobia or fear of certain noises and this creates a state of nervousness that makes it run away uncontrollably.
Getaways can also be due to a disobedience problem. This may be due to the lack of auditory stimuli since puppy or to a bad experience associated with certain noises. In this situation, you have to try to get him used to these noises and make him associate them with a pleasant situation, for example offering him a treat and caressing him when he is calm in front of them.
Another very common cause of escape is that there is a female in heat nearby that gives off a characteristic odor, detected by males at long distances. Then the dog will jump any obstacle to satisfy her sexual instinct. This is the most frequent cause of escapes. The solution for these cases is sterilization, which will also prevent prostate problems in males and ovarian cysts and breast tumors in females.
Once the dog has escaped you have to wait patiently for him.
What to do if my dog tends to run away?
To correct this behavior, a dynamic must be established, in which the leaders of the pack are the owners. To achieve this, you must ensure that the owner enters and leaves the door first or orders her before getting what she wants. It is not advisable to lock up the dog because it can cause a state of anxiety and nervousness.
A common situation, which creates headaches for many dog owners, is that the animal does not heed the order to come during the walk. For many dog owners, the time for recreation and relaxation with their animal turns into tension and stress.
When it is intended that the dog comes and runs in the opposite direction, it is not necessary to go after him to catch him, because the effect will be the opposite. That is, the dog will flee more insistently. Ideally, the animal follows its owner and not vice versa. When the animal perceives that it is not being watched, but must follow the owner so as not to lose track, it changes its attitude.
Positive encouragement works once again to educate and correct bad habits in the dog. Every time the animal comes to the call without problems, it must be congratulated. This way you will understand what is expected of you. Wrong behaviors don’t change from one day to the next. It will take time, patience, and determination.
The dog has escaped
Once the dog has escaped, we must wait patiently for him, and call him so that when he returns he will find us. If too much time passes and it does not appear, notify the police, protection societies, and veterinary clinics.
It is very important, as well as mandatory, that the animal is identified with the microchip, especially if it has a tendency to escape. A tag can also be attached to the necklace with the phone to ensure its recovery in case of loss.
The moment the dog runs away, you don’t have to chase it because it will run even more. If you call him and he comes back, you have to receive him with a caress and not with reproaches so as not to confuse him about what he has to do.
To avoid situations that, once acquired, are difficult to correct, it is necessary to try to educate the dog well from puppyhood. In case of not being able to correct the problem at home, you can go to a dog trainer, who will find out the reasons why the animal escapes and will redirect its attitude.
The danger of dog escapes
The escapes of the dogs are dangerous, there can be accidents and run over, so it is necessary to try by all means that the dog does not escape. In the garden, you have to put up high fences to prevent him from jumping and taking you on a leash down the street.
The causes of a dog running away from home can be diverse: boredom, need for more physical activity, fear of certain noises, or separation anxiety. That is, the dog cannot bear the absence of its owners and goes out in search of them. It is a question of finding out why he is doing it to stop the situation.
Tips if your Akita runs away
Find out the cause of your Akita’s escapades. It may be due to the need for more company or physical exercise, as well as for fear of certain noises.
Put means to avoid dangerous uncontrolled leaks. No open doors or walking without a leash. Do not scold the dog when he returns from one of his escapades, but congratulate him and pet him. Do not chase him when he escapes, because he will run even faster.
In case your dog gets bored, it is important that you energize his environment and spend more time with him doing activities that make him feel happy. This way, you will feel calmer and will not have to escape:
- Walk your dog daily and take advantage of the walk to get physical exercise, mentally stimulate him, and carry out a training session. This will keep you entertained and will be of great benefit to both of you.
- Take him out for a walk before you leave home for an extended period of time so that he will tire and then relax.
- Teach your dog some commands or tricks. Train him in obedience and practice what he learned every day.
- Provide interesting toys, such as balls, puzzles, or interactive toys, so that they keep busy and don’t need to go out looking for new distractions.
- Leave your dog indoors when you cannot supervise him.
My dog runs away because he is in heat
Sexual desire is a very strong urge that can make your dog go outside in search of the company. To prevent your dog from escaping on these occasions, take him out on a leash when you go around town and leave him indoors if you need to go outside and the dog will not be watched. This will also add to your safety.
My dog runs away because he is fearful
Fears and phobias can cause your dog to run away. The moment he runs off, his cognitive state is deactivated and he will not answer your call. This situation frequently occurs when the dog is subjected to loud noises, such as thunderstorms, firecrackers or fireworks.
To prevent your dog from escaping because of a fear or phobia, you can follow the following recommendations:
- Identify what scares you and work to eliminate fear. You may need to use a professional trainer to help you modify your dog’s behavior.
- Keep your dog indoors when the phenomenon that causes his fear or phobia occurs.
- Provide your dog with a safe place to go when he is feeling scared or anxious, a crate accommodated with a mattress and covered by a blanket may be ideal.
- Stay by your dog’s side and reassure him.
- My dog has separation anxiety and when I leave him alone, he runs away.
- If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, he may run away shortly after you’ve left home. You will know if your dog suffers from separation anxiety if, in addition to running away, he shows other behaviors that reflect a high dependency, such as continually following you, greeting you anxiously, or reacting nervously when he observes your preparations to leave.
Typically, a dog that runs away due to a separation anxiety problem stays close to home. It is easy for you to locate him quickly.
To solve the problem, you will have to work with your dog in modifying this behavior. You may need the help of a professional trainer. Meanwhile, anti-anxiety vests for dogs can be of great help.
What alternatives do I have to prevent my dog from escaping and going out on the street?
- You don’t need to put up a higher fence. Simply add a section at the top that slopes inward. This will prevent your dog from jumping.
- Remove everything that can help your dog to climb: piles of wood, tables, chairs, rocks.
- Plant a hedge of shrubs around the inside of the fence. Besides being easy on the eyes, your dog won’t be able to jump that easily.
- Place stones at the bottom of the fence, which prevent your dog from digging nearby. You can also pour concrete along the entire perimeter, burying the bottom of the fence in it.
- Place one L-foot on the bottom of the fence, facing inward. You can use chicken wire. Make sure there are no sharp parts that could hurt your dog.
- Block the view of the outside. You can use a natural hedge, vines, bamboo rolls, or plastic zippers. Anything that prevents your dog from seeing what is outside, in order to eliminate the stimulus that prompts him to go outside.
- Install a second fence. In this way, your dog will encounter an additional obstacle that will make it difficult to escape. After passing the first fence, a second barrier will get in your way.
- If you need to leave your dog outside, you can use a steel cable guide fixed to the ground and tie your dog’s leash with a carabiner, so that it can move in semi-freedom without pulling the chain, which could hurt him. However, it is not advisable to keep your dog on a continuous leash.
- Make the farm a fun place. Provide toys, cool water, and some shade. If your dog is entertained and accompanied, it is more difficult for him to run away in search of stimuli.
- Don’t leave your dog alone for long periods of time. If in addition to being by his side, you play with him from time to time and take the opportunity to carry out a training session, it is difficult for him to need to escape.
- If you take him out for a walk in an urban area or outside your farm, take him tied. In addition to being mandatory, you will prevent them from escaping, with the consequent danger of getting lost or being run over.
- Keep your dogs indoors when you are away.
- Equip your dog with a GPS tracking collar to quickly locate him in case he escapes.
Conclusions
Some dogs escape and go out alone, with the consequent risk of loss or run over. You are responsible for the problems that your dog may cause if he escapes. It is important to find out the reasons why your dog runs away and runs into the street.
There are numerous reasons why a dog may run away, such as loneliness, boredom, heat, fear, phobias, or territoriality. You can place a GPS on your dog to be able to track and locate him quickly. Some dogs jump over fences easily. Others climb them and others dig and climb underneath.
Put up physical barriers to prevent your dog from escaping in a moment of distraction.
Don’t leave him alone outside. It is better to wait inside the house until your arrival. Take him out on a leash. Train your dog to come to your calls. If necessary, enlist the help of a professional trainer.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
References
Insidedogsworld.com
Petful.com
