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After Christmas it seems a lot of people decided to dump their dogs in our rural community about an hour from town. Many were caught and processed through rescues. There is one however that defies capture. People have actually given him a name. Some feed him. He is not aggressive or mean in any way, but he defies capture. He often stands, or lays, in the road, and we are concerned he will be hit. It seems he may be watching for the person who dumped him. A specialized rescue in another part of the state sent trappers who actually caught him, had him vet checked and then gave him to a neighbor, who also had a dog. It took him five minutes to dig out under the fence. The trappers will not come back unless it has been agreed that only one person will feed and try to tame him. It is hard to get people to do this, and many may not be online to even know the situation. I have not fed him but I do talk to him from my car so he approaches me. I have a dog and am sure that even my 6' chainlink would not be able to confine the stray escape artist, and I don't want my epileptic dog getting loose through a hole the stray digs. We are worried about the stray getting hit by a car, or maybe attacked by a wild animal, but don't really know how to catch him.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do for this dog?
It sounds quite possible that he wasn't dumped but go out and, then, got lost. If you haven't already done so, then put up flyers and post on Facebook (and other sites) that specialize in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
After Christmas it seems a lot of people decided to dump their dogs in our rural community about an hour from town. Many were caught and processed through rescues. There is one however that defies capture. People have actually given him a name. Some feed him. He is not aggressive or mean in any way, but he defies capture. He often stands, or lays, in the road, and we are concerned he will be hit. It seems he may be watching for the person who dumped him. A specialized rescue in another part of the state sent trappers who actually caught him, had him vet checked and then gave him to a neighbor, who also had a dog. It took him five minutes to dig out under the fence. The trappers will not come back unless it has been agreed that only one person will feed and try to tame him. It is hard to get people to do this, and many may not be online to even know the situation. I have not fed him but I do talk to him from my car so he approaches me. I have a dog and am sure that even my 6' chainlink would not be able to confine the stray escape artist, and I don't want my epileptic dog getting loose through a hole the stray digs. We are worried about the stray getting hit by a car, or maybe attacked by a wild animal, but don't really know how to catch him.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do for this dog?
This is the saddest post I ever read on CD. Call other rescue groups? Call local veterinarians?
Who are these people who dump dogs? Just the scum of the earth!
After Christmas it seems a lot of people decided to dump their dogs in our rural community about an hour from town. Many were caught and processed through rescues. There is one however that defies capture. People have actually given him a name. Some feed him. He is not aggressive or mean in any way, but he defies capture. He often stands, or lays, in the road, and we are concerned he will be hit. It seems he may be watching for the person who dumped him. A specialized rescue in another part of the state sent trappers who actually caught him, had him vet checked and then gave him to a neighbor, who also had a dog. It took him five minutes to dig out under the fence. The trappers will not come back unless it has been agreed that only one person will feed and try to tame him. It is hard to get people to do this, and many may not be online to even know the situation. I have not fed him but I do talk to him from my car so he approaches me. I have a dog and am sure that even my 6' chainlink would not be able to confine the stray escape artist, and I don't want my epileptic dog getting loose through a hole the stray digs. We are worried about the stray getting hit by a car, or maybe attacked by a wild animal, but don't really know how to catch him.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do for this dog?
Seems to me the issue isn't really catching this guy, but keeping him. After all, that "specialized rescue" caught him, right?
So my next thought is that your best bet will be to socialize him to you, or to someone, in place, as in where HE is. Take some time (weeks/months) doing that until there is sufficient bond to work with him.
THEN you'd need to address that energy or desire that is making him an escape artist. You need to address his motivation in order to control the escaping. Well, you COULD spend a bunch of money on fencing, too, but I'll address the motivation side. Is he a hound type, and just loves to run and sniff and explore? Easily addressed with a daily run. Is he a herding type, who needs work? Less easy to manage, but doable with dedication. Do a little research on work or work-replacements if you think that's the case. Flyball, agility, nose-work, lots of possibilities. Is he a territorial explorer and socialite, who just wants to go check his social circuit on a regular basis? This is one of the most difficult to control and prevent. The only solution I know to this one is a very good fence - or just let him do the daily walkabout.
The one other possibility I can think of is the dog's bonding. He could be a velcro/one-person dog, bonded to the previous human(s). If it is this bonding he is being loyal to, and seeking to find again, you are very likely to be able to replace it with a new human bond, but it will take daily dedication and attention by the new person. Very few dogs are so loyal that they will refuse new human bonding, given time. The last possibility is that this dog doesn't really ever bond that strongly to ANY human, or has never met the human he wants to bond to. If this last is the case, and I find it doubtful that it might be so, I'm not sure there IS anything you can do, other than the fencing, again.
Thank you. Very helpful summary. He looks like maybe a small boxer/pitbull cross.
I would GUESS that his motivation will be easily addressable then. Some moderate daily exercise and a good home. Probably will also need to keep the fence in good repair until he breaks the habit. Basic training classes with his new human would also probably help, perhaps even more than the fence.
I'll keep my fingers crossed you find a good person to take this on!
To catch him try laying on the ground. He already approaches near you so sitting or laying on the ground may get him to come in for a cuddle. I once had an escape artist dog and that's the way the neighborhood man caught her one day. Freeze dried liver treats wouldn't hurt , either.
After the dog is caught, whoever takes in the dog needs to know it digs and should keep bit on leash when going out of the house with it for any reason.
Why must he be kept in a yard? Why not someone's house? Why can't the rescue keep him inside until he learns he is safe? Surely they have a list of people who are willing to foster, and would not keep the dog in a yard all day, unattended. Try another rescue that is more responsible.
Look up every rescue within a 50-100 mile radius. Write one email, put yourself as the receiver and BCC every rescue email you find in that 50-100 mile radius. Fully explain what has happened, and ask if they would a) come get him, and b) have a good foster who would keep him inside when they are unable to give him 100% of their attention. One who would leash him up for walks before opening the door. This dog isn't bonded to anyone, that's the problem.
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