problem with JRT

Question
I have an adorable 8 year old male Jack Russell Terrier. He was neutered before he was a year old. He is a great dog except for his urge to barge out of the door and run about the neighborhood anytime he gets the chance. Recently, he has become quite an escape artist and I am very concerned about his safety.  Do you think that an invisible fence would help contain him?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.  I

Answer
It is hard to say.  You could try one.  

Boiler plate

Perhaps it may depend on your dog. Some of invisible fences work, and work well. Four people on my block have them, and I have never seen any of their dogs running loose including the one young, unneutered male Lab. On the other hand, I know they won't work with some dogs. Some dogs are very determined to get loose, and aren't going to let a little shock stop them.

Is your dog careful to avoid anything where it got hurt? Is it creative and determined to do what it wants regardless of your corrections? Does it roam the neighborhood, or just stray into you neighbors yard? You know your dog, does it seem like a shock would stop it? Do you have a friend that might let you try their collar and fence?

This is one case where I would go with name brand quality. Many of the ones I see working have the little white flags with the Green IF logo. Maybe the dogs I see running loose with their radio collars escaped a $50 unit from Big Lots. Is your landscaping complete? Grading cuts the buried wires. How often is your dog home alone in a power outage?

I am sorry my answer is so full of questions, but it think you need to answer them to decide if the invisible fence will work for you. Many pet owners find them a very workable way of meeting their responsibility to restrain their dog. You might be surprised at how many of your neighbors resent your dog coming around and just haven't said so. I hope my answer helps you choose a way to control your dog that works.

more

With the dog at the end of the leash, call its name and "Come" in a firm voice. If it comes, praise it lavishly and pet it. If it doesn't come, repeat the command and give the leash a light snap. Keep it up with firmer leash snaps until the dog does come. Do not forget the praise. Then switch to a longer leash or rope, about 25'. When it comes well on the longer leash, you should be able to go to off leash in a fenced area, etc. Once the dog is doing well, introduce come, treat. This is for emergencies only when the dog has gotten loose accidentally. Use it routinely and you will have nothing to fall back on when your dog is headed for a busy street. "Name, come treat!" is little different from the regular "Name, come!", except the dog gets a great treat when it comes. We are talking a hot dog, cheese, etc. much better than any treat you use routinely.

Relying on come to control most dogs loose outside is risky, and I do not recommend it. Dogs are individuals. Some can be trained to come when you have no way to enforce it, but some will never be completely reliable even for the most experienced trainers.