Male Dog & Roaming Behavior

Roaming is a potentially lethal behavior in male dogs. Roaming means that the dog wanders or runs about the roads, farms and neighborhoods. Roaming dogs are illegal in places that have leash laws. Roaming dogs can get into fights with wild animals or other dogs, get hit by vehicles, get shot or get picked up and used by illegal dog fighting operations.

  1. Causes

    • Male dogs will roam for variety of reasons, but mostly because they are bored or that they smell a female dog in heat. Male dogs can smell a female dog in season from more than a mile away. Other reasons for roaming include visiting other dogs in the neighborhood, chasing prey animals like squirrels or fear of the owner, according to veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman.

    Consequences

    • Not only can the male get seriously injured or killed while roaming, but other hazards can happen for the dog's owner. Depending on where the dog owner lives, he may have large fines to pay for letting the dog roam free. If the male dog impregnates any female dogs, the owner of the male dog may have to pay for vet bills. If the male dog damages any property, such as digging up a neighbor's flower bed, then the owner is also responsible for paying the damages. If the male dog bites anyone, not only is the owner responsible for medical bills, but the dog may be euthanized.

    Prevention

    • Male dogs not intended for any breeding programs should be neutered. This will not only cut down on the dog's urge to roam, but also make the dog easier to train and less aggressive, according to Race Foster, DVM. But all male dogs, castrated or not, need to be kept on a lead, tied up or behind a sturdy fence so they do not roam. Making sure the dog has plenty of toys and food to keep him occupied can keep the dog from getting bored. Sometimes getting a spayed female dog can help keep the male dog at home. Male dogs tend to fight with other male dogs, even after neutering.

    Misconception

    • Keeping a dog fenced or confined to an owner's property is not cruel, despite the argument that wandering is natural to the nature of male dogs. The dangers to a wandering dog in today's society are immense. Also, stray dogs or feral dogs need to wander for miles in order to find food, water and shelter. If a male dog already has that at home, then there is no need to wander.

    Warning

    • Do not approach a wandering dog, especially a fully intact male and one with hackles raised. He may be following the scent of a female dog in heat. Trying to approach him will make him very irritable and prone to bite. Teach your children to avoid such dogs. If you can, herd the dog into a fenced area or other shelter like a garage and call the police or animal control to handle the dog and find his owners.