Tips to Keep a Male Dog at Home

Male dogs have a tendency to roam, particularly after they reach adolescence. Beyond simply roaming because the gate has been unlatched, male dogs have another reason to roam in that they can sense when nearby females are in heat. A roaming male dog may become lost or confused about where it is, and it may not know its way home. Similarly, it may be hit by a car, particularly if it is on streets that it is not familiar with.

  1. Neuter the Dog

    • Male dogs primarily have the urge to roam because they can scent estrogen in the air. Estrogen signals that a female dog is in heat, and it can draw dogs that are miles away. Neutering a male dog is a straightforward surgical procedure that has the added benefit of reducing a male dog's urge to mark its territory with urine. Neutering also reduces the chance that the dog will develop testicular cancer later in life. Neutering prevents the dog from siring puppies.

    Fencing the Yard

    • A dog can be prevented from leaving the yard as long as the yard is properly fenced. If the male dog is a young puppy, even a short fence will prevent it from jumping out, and as it grows, it comes to regard the fence as something that it cannot get over. If the dog is older or is an accomplished jumper, fit it for a jumping harness that will prevent it from going over the fence. The fence should also be planted at least 1 foot into the ground to prevent the dog from digging out.

    Exercise the Dog

    • One of the reasons why male dogs roam is that they get bored. If they are constantly left in a yard, they are more inclined to get out and to search out someone who will give them attention. Dogs are naturally pack animals and desire companionship. If you are gone for long periods of time during the day, ask someone to come over and play with the dog or walk it while you work. Similarly, make sure that the dog gets enough exercise by taking it for regular walks, ensuring that it does not become restless.

    Crating

    • Perfect Paws suggests that one of the reasons that a dog might roam is because it is afraid. If your male dog tends to fly into a panic at certain stimuli, it might prompt it to try to escape. If this is the case, take the time to identify the stimuli and to figure out if it is something that can be stopped. Pet the dog and reassure it when it is startled. Also provide the dog with a safe place, like a crate or a dog house, that it can retreat to if it becomes over-stimulated.