How to Prevent Your Dog From Being an Escape Artist

Nope, the solution doesn't involve a ball and chain. Not necessarily. This isn't your office and I'm not your good-for-nothing crook of a boss.

Now, teaching your dog not to run away is a process that should start as a puppy.

The mistake most dog owners make is to follow their puppy when it wanders away. What should actually be done if you want to prevent future run-aways is to let the puppy wander, keeping an eye on him or her but acting as though you're not paying attention. That way, your puppy will eventually realize that he or she is wandering off, and that it needs to pay attention and stay near you in order not to get lost.

This habit of staying near you rather than wandering off and being followed, when instilled as a puppy, is sure to remain throughout that puppy's life. It not only nurtures attentiveness in your dog, but reinforces your status as "pack leader," since they need to follow you and not vice versa!

Recognizing you as pack leader from an early age in this way will promote love and security in your dog, and will prevent dangerous run-away situations in the future!