QuestionWe have a 3 year old male Border Collie, on 9 acres. It's all fenced with very good fencing, but we can not contain this dog. We think he must be jumping the fence as we can't find out where he could be going under. We are on the verge of getting rid of him since today he got out and killed a neighbor's chicken. He completely tore up a kennel, so that's not the answer. Have already tried that. Will have him neutered next week and hope for the best. At this point he is chained. He'll go days without escaping and then off he goes. Can you give us any other suggestions? We are desperate at this point.
AnswerHello Eileen,
I am sorry to hear about your BC and I know what you are talking about. My sister had a dog that could not be contained and he ran away constantly, tore up several wire cages and would not listen once he was on his way across the field. But someone wanted to buy him anyways so he was sold. My instructor also had a few dogs in his lifetime that would run off and come back every few days. These were all Border Collies and I think they were all males too. I know my sister's dog was.
Anyhow, if you're not working your dog on livestock and he is just a farm dog that runs off all the time, you might want to consider giving him a new home, especially now that he has the taste of chicken in his mouth. You don't want any trouble with the neighbors.
He is probably jumping your fences. Border Collies have no problem jumping fences and that's why you have to be careful of barbed wire with these dogs.
I would be interested to know what your dog's upbringing was. Was he raised by you? Had he always been left out to run free? Is he always supervised or worked when he's loose or is he just loose on his own? If he's had total freedom all his life, he's going to do what any normal dog will do...be a dog.
So, I guess if it were me, I'd be looking for a new pup and raise him to be dependant on me for his freedom, training and overall privileges - only letting my dog out when working or playing with him.
