Owners understandably find their canines’ roaming tendencies inconvenient and frustrating. However, most are unaware why their pets do it. The reasons canines roam are varied, but can be categorized into two main groups. First, they do so out of fear. Second, they do it to gain access to something they want. Recognizing the triggers for any undesired behavior is often the first step toward curbing it.
In the wild, dogs can almost always find their way back to their original starting point whenever they wander or explore. In the city, they have a far more difficult time doing so. The smells are artificial and harder to discern. This is the reason canines often become lost and end up at animal shelters.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons your pooch might roam. What follows will give you a better appreciation for the triggers and thus, a guide to modifying the behavior.
Curiosity And Boredom
Dogs are naturally curious and will explore their environment at the first opportunity. Moreover, they are susceptible to boredom if left without means to entertain themselves. A lot of owners allow their canines to spend the entire day in the confines of their yard. If the yard is small and provides little stimulation, a dog will be far more receptive to roaming.
To Socialize With Others
Like wolves, canines are natural wanderers. To that end, they might consider multiple locations to be their home. This is why they will often wander from their owner’s house and make their way to another “den” or home in which they feel comfortable.
Sometimes, they do so in order to meet other dogs. Other times (though rarer) they roam to socialize with other people, similar to cats that migrate from one porch to another.
Fear (Rational Or Irrational)
Fear is a powerful trigger in canines. It is often the catalyst that motivates them to run away. In some instances, the fear is rational. This might be the case with a physically abusive owner or some other factor that presents an imminent danger.
The fear may also be irrational. This can be the case with thunderstorms and lightning. The response (i.e. running away) is based on a phobia and reinforced because such things eventually subside. The canine believes his running leads to the storm ending.
The Desire To Reproduce
Male dogs that are intact will often roam due to a desire to reproduce. It is a natural response when they smell estrogen. The question is, why do neutered dogs do the same?
To the surprise of many owners, the urge to reproduce is so ingrained in canines that many of them display it even after having been neutered. Estimates vary, but many experts suggest one in ten dogs experience this urge. Those that do will roam.
A Known Source Of Food
Canines love food and will often go to great lengths to gain possession of it. If they identify a reliable source outside their owner’s home, they will return to it over and over.
Hunger is rarely the motivator. A pooch that receives a sufficient amount of food at home will still visit the secondary source when given the opportunity. This source may be a neighbor’s trashcan, a nearby restaurant, or another dog’s den.
Preventing Your Pooch From Roaming
The most effective way to keep your canine from roaming outside your home or yard is to make sure there is a sufficient obstacle to his doing so. That means your yard should have a fence high enough to prevent him from jumping over.
Beyond that, make sure your dog receives plenty of exercise. He’ll be less likely to become bored and look for entertainment beyond your home. Also, if he displays fear of storms or other loud noises, devote time to desensitization training. The more successful you are in keeping your pooch from roaming, the better you can protect him from injury outside your home.
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