I Think Our Backyard Is Haunted

[Neverthesame]

That is odd. If that's the case... umm.... maybe... no... hmm... maybe... no...

Maybe the neighbour kids are trying a higher pressure sales technique for their dog walking services. If you receive a bill in the mail next month, written in crayon...

 

[hodge]

Lol, Neverthesame, good idea. But our only neighbor kids have their own tiny dog. They wouldn't do this, anyway. I know them.

This is just plain and simple a weird situation. I am dreading getting up in a few hours and feeding Gunner then letting him outside. I wonder if he can wait till daylight. Hmm. I might just wait till then. Or till almost daylight, so it will be light out when he has to go outside again. I am really freaked out by this.

 

[Tinyflame]

@hodge, I wouldn't get too worried yet. I've always owned large dogs & a 4 foot fence is nothing. I have a small german shepherd now (75 lbs) she can go over 6 feet- straight cedar no footholds (never has with ours though, only to come to us but not to run away-she was abused & ran from everyone). She could squeeze herself out of a locked dog crate (I would call her Houdini. :) . We never used crates so we scrapped that entirely). Usually when they do that they do 'stay'. If they're in heat esp they can get through an area the size of their head. Ditto on opening/ closing locks. He's probably checking out the area (investigating) but happy to stay with his second family. :) (If he's going over the fence he likely won't do it when you're there. If he's happy/ excited you can test it by eg throwing a ball over with you there. But I don't like to encourage it simply because it's easy for them already).

(PS, if you are worried could you take him out on a leash after eating, let him & circle around in the area he will go, say 'do your business', or something like that. That will teach him to go in that spot only anyway, off leash, keep your grass intact. :) I really think it will be ok. :hug: )

 

[Tinyflame]

@hodge, I can't sleep, so I got up to add, thinking about it, you have a large yard, knowing no other details I'd give an educated guess he's going right over, or even under at some point & then circling around & trying to come back in through the neighbour's (dogs will usually squeeze themselves out but look for an easier route back in- like you opening the gate! (Which would explain why he waited for you there the second time. :) ) )

 

[laurainalameda]

Yeah, I would take him out on a leash

 

[digger]

It's four feet high

if you've checked all round for places he might be squeezing under or through and there is nothing even half the size you'd expect him to get through - I am always amazed by the smallness of places my dog can get out if she takes a mind to! - then my guess would be that at four foot he's either just plain jumping it or he's figured out how to open the gate. :) As someone else said, four foot isn't really a challenge to a dog that size. I've a whippet cross and she could do that and higher from pretty much a standing start, if she wanted to, if I ask her to jump something much lower even, she just sits and looks at me like I'm insane!

Take him out on a long lead or stand and watch him while he's out there.

 

[The Albatross]

It would be relatively easy for a 100 pound dog to get over a 4 foot fence. I have a neighbor with large golden retrievers and they can climb a 6 foot plank fence as well. Years ago I had a miniature sheltie mix that could and would climb the chain link fence to get out of the yard. I also had a neighbors black lab who would come across the street and open the latch on my gate and come in to "visit" my dogs when he'd be let out in the mornings before they'd go to work. Imagine my surprise to find an extra dog in my yard?

 

[hodge]

Lol, Albatross.

I kind of doubt that he's jumping over it. He's 10 years old and his hips are pretty bad, but I guess you never know. He could be opening the latch, but then does he close it again? Because the gates are always latched when we find him. We are going out there with him now.

 

[Renestel]

My husband did this before and it was HILARIOUS, so if it solves the mystery or just makes a funny video either is good in my book. Strap a GoPro on the pup, let him out and see what happens. I work with dogs, and used to live in the most haunted house of all houses so I know that either situation might not happen if you go out there with your dog on a leash. (Be that if he's got a secret or has a otherworldly friend helping him get out.) Either way-that solves the big Q.

 

[hodge]

What's a GoPro, Renestel?

 

[Renestel]

So it's a little all weather camera people use especially in extreme sports to create a video, but they have attachments for dogs now too:
The forum doesn't allow attachments or links it seems, but if you search "go pro fetch dog harness" you'll see what I mean.
its hilarious.

 

[hodge]

Oh, wow. That's funny. Now I get what you meant, lol.