Escaping Dogs

Question
We have three pit bull/bull mastiff crosses, 1 male, almost three, and 1 male and 1 female(speyed) just over 18 months (the children). The younger male escapes by digging holes under, and even bites holes in the wire of the fence to escape. The other two often go with him, and they sometimes don't come back for two or three days. Luckily we live in a remote area. The older male has recently begun to instigate escapes as well. The female tends to just go along for the ride. She doesnt always escape, and when she does must slow the boys down as they all come back sooner, or she returns on her own. We have tried training, but only the older male and the female respond. The younger male is an ignoramus. Once the males are out of the fence, they take off and can't be called back. Will neutering the two males discourage (or hopefully stop) this behaviour? We can't lock then in the house all day anymore (as we did before building the fence) it creates too much mess and stress and there is a baby on the way.

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for sending me a question at Allexperts.  It sounds as if I might be able to offer suggestions on a couple of items.

First, I believe that it's an owner's responsibility to supervise and manage their dogs at all times.  If an owner is unable to do so, then they should be prepared to be legally liable for whatever damage those dogs may incur, which may include damage to others' property, to others' pets, or for veterinary bills.  I would go so far as to say that if your male dogs were to get a contained female pregnant, then you might find yourself responsible for those puppies and the vet bills for either an abortion to that female or for the birthing and care, and homing, of those puppies.  This may be arguable, of course, depending on where you live and what the laws are.  I'm stating what I would attempt to do as an owner on the other end of what your dogs may be doing when not under your supervision. Bottom line advice to you - they shouldn't be outside off leash if you're unable to supervise their behaviour and stop their escaping.

If you're unable to supervise (and I understand that with a baby on the way you may have your hands even more full soon), then you need a better containment system than what you currently have in order to MAKE SURE that your dogs don't escape again.  For this you may want to look into containment systems for wolves and you can do a Google or other search engine search in order to research this.  I can't tell you what the sight of three, fairly large, off leash, unneutered males would do to my heart if they were to approach my small leashed dogs during a walk with no owner in sight.  In a word, what's going on with your dogs is completely unfair and not taking into consideration the feelings of others.  Forget about those who are afraid of dogs who were to encounter your unsupervised roving canines.  It's simply not right.

Most unneutered males will roam in search for a female in heat, so I HIGHLY recommend that you neuter your dogs after speaking with your vet for professional advice regarding such.  While neutering may not completely end the dogs' desire to roam, it will most likely certainly cut down on their desire to roam.  Certainly if they're roaming intact, they could be impregnating intact females in heat, and the world doesn't need any more homeless pups (and the owners don't need such a surprise).

All in all, you have your tasks cut out for you: First, neuter.  Second, supervise.  Third, make sure your containment system for the dogs is foolproof.

I don't mince words, and I hope you appreciate the time I took to be honest and impart to you this advice as well as my hopefully having given you an inkling of how others may be feeling about your dogs' roaming activities, which is probably not very good about it.

Best regards,
Madeline at Allexperts

Added comment after questioner rating, July 5, 2009:
Rebecca, I'm sorry that you felt the need to rate me down in points in the category of 'politeness' after you read my response.  You rated me highly in all other categories.  It seems that sometimes when I point out to people ways in which they might be INADVERTENTLY inconsiderate of others' feelings and fears, they find a need to label my pretty objective perspective, which is often viewing things the way the average dog owner or passer-by might view them as well, as "impolite."  I don't feel I was being impolite in any manner.  I took significant time out of my own day and as a volunteer to respond to your question KNOWING that aspects of the answer might be not quite so well received, and so I tried VERY HARD to deliver my message firmly, AND politely.  Unfortunately, when you point out the truth to some folks they seem to become offended by that, no matter how polite one tries to be.  FWIW, I don't feel that your 'politeness' rating was fair to me.  I DO hope that my advice and perspective assisted you in some manner.  Based on your other rating categories 'grades' for me, the information I gave you seems to have benefited you.  Best of luck and hope your dogs, and all dogs, no matter how lofty and ideal a wish that might be, stay secure and safe!

Madeline at AllExperts