How to Keep Your Dog From Escaping Their Crate

keep dog from escaping
Ughh… You just got a call from the neighbor again, or worse the city animal control.  Your pet dog Spot has escaped from his crate again and is on the loose.  This is all too common for many dog owners and a source of endless frustration!

Not only is it inconvenient but it is also dangerous.  If your puppy is running around near traffic, for example, the consequences can be devastating.  How to keep your dog from escaping and breaking out of their home is a common question. We will go over the top things that you can do to prevent them getting out in the first place.

Solutions for How to Stop Escaping & Breaking Out

1. Get an Appropriate Cage

This is the NUMBER ONE way to stop your dog that gets out. A simple wire cage is not going to cut it here. You need a crate that can’t be ripped apart while you’re out. You can see our top recommendations over here.

Click Here To See Our Number One Pick on Amazonor check out the comparison table below to help you select the best option for your pet.

ProductStrengthMy ScoreWallet
Pro Select Empire9.5/1098$$
Impact Case Collapsible10/1087$$$$
Smithbuilt Budget Crate7/1075$
Diamond Deluxe Dog Box9/1090$$

2. Trick Your Canine

Set a trap for your puppy. You do this by pretending to leave and then come back to catch them in the act. Make sure they know you don’t approve and they will be less likely to try additional times. You don’t need to get angry, but make sure that you are firm and they know you mean business.

3. Regular Exercise

Walk them regularly. Pent-up aggression can make any breed restless, make sure they get their exercise.  If you’re lucky they’ll be “dog tired” and might just pass out after a long run at the local park.

4. Don’t Be Dramatic When Leaving

Don’t pamper them too much.  When you pamper and get them excited every time you arrive or leave the house they will, in turn, miss you more, and be much more likely to break out of their cage or yard to try and find you.

5. Fix Breaking Out Points

dog got outThis is where you stop them at the source. The first step is to reverse engineer how they are managing to get out and then use whatever you need to fix that issue.

For example, if they are able to turn the cage latch then use a padlock or zip tie to secure it. Or if they managed to break the bars, then it’s necessary to get something better. Click here to view our comparison.

6. Keep Them Entertained

Prevent boredom.  A bored dog is very likely to try and escape.  If you can distract them with a dog toy or treat, then they will be much more content just staying in their home. Dogs just want to play and have fun. If they see that there is some fun going on and they are not involved, they will feel like they are missing out. If necessary, keep their cage out of view of other people.

Another awesome trick that you can try is to fill up a kong toy with treats. They will be occupied for hours licking it and trying to get at the goodies inside!

Why a Good Crate is Worth the Money

dog biting cageWe’re sure you’ve seen the dog crates that are for sale at high prices. While this may seem like a lot of money you must consider a few things.

One reason is that these types of cages are built to last MUCH longer than the typical cheaper wire crates. While a traditional wire cage might only last you a year or less depending on the strength of your canine, one of these models will literally last a lifetime.  This means you won’t have to buy another cheap model after the dog breaks out of it in the first month and destroys it.

Another reason is that having a mischievous pet can cost you a lot of money in damages when they get out in certain areas.  Many people come home from work to find their favorite shoes or leather couch completely destroyed when their pooch gets out.

Depending on the particular dog, just a single escape could end up costing you hundreds, to thousands of dollars in damages.  This makes these types of crates a must for people with a dog that breaks out.

You should think of it as an investment that will pay for itself in time. Click the button below to check out our top recommendations for your pet that escapes.

Back to Comparison Table

Conclusion

We are confident that if you follow all the steps that we’ve outlined you can prevent your puppy from getting out and running away once and for all.