Escape-proofing your home matters because even well-trained dogs can bolt through gaps, follow scents, or panic during loud events. Preventing escapes protects their safety, reduces wandering risk, and gives you peace of mind by creating a secure, predictable environment indoors and outdoors.
Why check out this article?
Our Top 10 tips for escape-proofing your home
Check Fencing Gaps – Walk your full boundary slowly, looking for loose panels, burrowed patches, or gaps beneath fences. Reinforce weak areas with additional stakes ensuring no space is large enough for squeezing through.
Secure Front Doors – Use baby gates or an inner barrier so your dog cannot rush the front door when opened. Practise sit-and-wait cues before letting anyone in, reinforcing calm behaviour.
Latch Back Gardens – Fit self-closing gates or spring latches to ensure garden doors never stay open accidentally. Always test the latch after closing and keep keys or bolts accessible only to adults. Dogs nudge unlatched gates.
Block Window Escape Routes – Check low windows for loose screens or broken latches and replace them with secure alternatives. Keep window openings narrow when your dog is nearby and avoid placing furniture beneath them.
Reinforce Indoor Barriers – Use sturdy stair gates or exercise pens to restrict access to exit-prone areas. Position them away from jumpable heights and check fittings regularly. This helps anxious or excitable dogs stay safe.
Manage Outdoor Temptations – Remove objects near fences such as bins, planters, or stacked items that can be used as climbing aids. Dogs often use nearby height to scale boundaries, so keep the perimeter clear.
Train Reliable Recalls – Practise high-value recall training daily in low-distraction environments, gradually introducing more challenging settings. Reward generously when your dog returns. A dependable recall acts as a crucial back-up safety tool even if barriers fail or a door is left ajar.
Use Secure Harnesses – Fit your dog with a well-fitted harness during transitions, especially when visitors arrive or parcels are delivered. Ensure tightness checks allow two fingers and that straps cannot slip over the head. A proper fit prevents last-second lunges towards open doors.
Fix Dig Zones – If your dog digs near boundaries, install buried mesh or place large flat stones beneath the soil line to stop tunnelling. Offer a designated dig area elsewhere to redirect the behaviour safely. Addressing the urge rather than suppressing it reduces escape attempts.
Add Doorway Routines – Teach your dog to pause before every external door, rewarding eye contact and patience. Repeat the routine daily so it becomes automatic even during excitement. This behavioural pattern creates a reliable safety buffer that stops bolt-through moments.
Fetch More Articles
Summary of this article
This guide strengthens home safety by reinforcing weak points, improving boundaries, and adding reliable routines that stop accidental escapes. By managing exits you create a safer space for your dog
From the experts – Creating an escape-proof home is about layers of physical barriers and learned behaviour working together. Regular checks, calm entrance cues, and secure handling during high-distraction moments significantly reduce risk, especially in busy households. Remember: dogs are quick problem-solvers, so update boundaries as your dog grows or becomes more confident. Ask Max if you need help.
Got questions? Max is hanging out on the right of your display - give him a shout!
"dogAdvisor has reimagined how pet owners access essential care information, turning complex veterinary knowledge into accessible, immediately actionable guidance"
