Chops got out of crate~Help~!

[boxer17]

So here we go...

About two months ago we rescued Chops (male, neutered, white) and he has been a pleasure. He used to have the run of the house and access to the back yard through the doggy door. He didn't do anything. Well about 2 weeks ago he began to jump our SIX foot fence, so we spoke to the trainer from the rescue and she suggested putting him in is crate during the day. From past owner...he has a habit of doing this...hence he was in rescue. He HATES going in his crate.

Well then today...he got out of the wire crate! He knocked it over! Not sure how...it looked like one of the locks came loose or I didn't close it all the way. The crate is in the living room. There was a bit of thunder today and maybe this did it to, but he destroyed the blinds in our son's room trying to get out. I'm afraid this will happen again and I don't want him to get hurt. He could have broken the window!

I spoke with the trainer just now and she said that there is way to secure the crate better and she'll show me tonight (we have doggy school tonight.) Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sargboxerluv]

I sandwich my crate between the wall and the couch. Just because that's where it fits - and I put a board on it to use it as a table. But that would prevent any rollovers.

Then for the male I fostered - who escaped by pulling in the whole side, I had to take my wire tie out that never gets used and weave it in and out of the sides all the way around so he couldn't pull it in anymore. And he did chew on it so I couldn't have used nylon cause it would have been destroyed.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

I had a guest dog that was a crate escaper and I zip tied many portions of the crate together, including the door. At the points where it came together (it's metal foldable) I put a zip tie and then in a couple of other places too. So I had 6 in the front, 6 in the back plus then I did 2 in the door.

 

[palemask]

chops

wow! build a 10 foot fence? just kidding! I hope you don't give up on chops. This would scare me plus make me pull my hair out. Maybe he's bored. Tire his butt out before you leave. Good luck to you.

 

[LILYLARUE]

If you can find a way to put an addition to the top of the fence that would angle inwards, that seems to put a lot of dogs off from climbing. They can't climb a wall that tilts towards them. Cats can.

If a chain link fence, check with a fencing company. They use them for security on top of fencing. Some with barbed wire, but they have just smooth wire too. If a wooden fence, it can be acheived pretty easily with angled brackets and 2 rows of 2x2's.

The idea is to have the top of the fence appear to be hanging over them when they look up at it. This will make the climb too cumbersome and they won't attempt it. If they do, once their paws are on the angled part, they have no place to put their back paws for support.

 

[larrygs]

I agree, put something visible on top with an overhang. It doesn't need to be much. I am not sure if you watched him go over the fence. I assume he jumped and then climbed over the last bit. I have heard some dogs just climb chain link fences like a ladder.

Our Layla got "expelled" from doggy day care because she would go over their 5 1/2 foot fence. I actually watched her do it. Jumps up, gets her front legs and chest on the top, and pulls herself over. Actually seemed easy for her. I am sure Layla is smaller than your boy, so I am not surprised about a 6 foot fence.

I have seen Layla contemplate another shorter fence that had a fairly small ledge on the top that provided an overhang. She looks, but so far hasn't tried it. I would be careful not to put anything on top that he might get tangled in. Something visible like a board or wire mess might discourage him from even trying.

Good luck!

 

[boxer17]

Thanks for the information! Yeah we were thinking of putting something up that would create an overhang into the yard that would stop him from jumping the fence. He only seems to jump the gate area of the fence. Lucky for us because we live on almost a 1/4 of an acre and it's all fenced in and if we end up having to do the whole yard, it would get pretty expensive. That is why the trainer suggested the crate. I just want his little "rear" to be safe!! And of course we would not give him up...he is ours now! Other than the recent behavior he is an awesome dog! He is great with our 3 year old. Too cute for words!

Well now for the update...just came home for lunch and there was another thunder storm and he was STILL in his crate! Yeah! We did double lock it and hopefully that will work! I have to work late, but hubby and son will be home in a couple of hours. Let's hope and pray he will be fine! Also I put a blanket and his favorite squeaky toy in there too! It's too funny to see and 82 lbs white Boxer playing with a squeaky toy (and he has yet to de-squeak one)!

Again, thanks for this info and I'll keep you posted!

 

[agbo]

I used to have the same problem... i fixed it by securing the crate with climbing clips. it's cheap and you can find them at home depot.

 

[boxer17]

Well (knock on wood) he did great yesterday and today! And basically we are using clips to double lock the crate and it appears to be working. Yeah! He is a great dog and can't believe that he had to be rescued from a "bad guy". He was burned with cigarettes on his head by a guy, whom is now is jail!

He is at his FOREVER home! It's only been a couple of months and people keep telling me that it might take a bit (a year or more) for him to realize that he isn't going anywhere and hopefully as time heals all wounds he won't need to be in the crate and can just have the run of the house.

Thanks for all the help! -

 

[LILYLARUE]

I have two rescues, the boy was severly beaten the female used as a bait dog and force-bred. It took the boy about a year to get acclimated and trustful. He has a tiny way to go with trust and loud voices still scare him off. The female is still getting acclimated after a year but has not one trust issue, and still working on seperation anxiety. Neither one would ever go in the crate without havoc on them emotionally. I chalk it up to them being in the kennels for over 3 months each. They were one day away from being taking to the bridge, so I knew it would be a long rode ahead with re-training them.

With rescues, with a horrible history, it just takes time, patience and willingness to ignore their past and move on. It takes time and trust to help them to forget and move on.

Thank you for taking this poor little guy and doing your best to help him to forget. He needs a big hearted one like you! Bless you both!