My 13 month Clover dog learned how to climb the 4.5 ft chain link fence when she was 4-5 months old. At first I chained her to 2 cement blocks. Then I got her a little brother and that kept her happy for about 3 months free in the pen. Close to 3 weeks ago she got hung up on the fence after climbing over, damaging a rear paw which is almost healed from the infection. Up to that time she and I were playing the game where she would find a place to get through, and then I would attempt to block it. For the fence I have bought vinyl poultry fencing drapping 1 ft outside, and 2 ft inside to form a canopy. I then tie wrap the outside to the chain link fence, and have attached a few ropes between the vinyl and the inside trees in order to keep it tight. Right now the main weakness in the system is the gate- which I try to barricade with poles and anything else I can find. I still have hope that she is afraid now of climbing the sides, and if I can just keep the gate well blocked the problem might go away.
I previously tried an invisible fence inside the chain link fence- she went through the electric shock, and then over the fence.
Although my Clover has not been to a puppy class, I can not think of any value to it. For example if I tell her to come when in the house, she comes. When on the outside if I tell her to come when on the leash, again she comes. Take off the leash and yippee over the hill we go. No command, enticement (e.g. treats) would work- does it sound familiar?
Also I got her at 3.5 months of age, so I do not know her complete history. But I do know if I act angered or yell at her while she is escaping, I may not see her again for hours. If I downplay her antics, she will return after about 20 minutes, usually covered in mud- my Wharthog. I had to make a major adjustment in my reacton to her escapes.
Through it all though I have found a solution to keep her from running out of the yard, yet not be chained to a given spot. I do this by attaching a 15 ft chain to her, that she can drag around the yard after her. I call her my "convict puppy". She has learned that if she takes off like a shot into the woods she will get tangled up in short order and I will find her quickly- what fun is that? Actually I have her little brother Barney the snitch, where if she disappears I ask him "Where's Clover", and he takes off running leading me to her.
Over a period of a couple of weeks she went from a dog that wouldn't stay in the yard to one who lays nearby watching me do gardening. My hope is that her behavior will become "conditioned", and in some future time I can take the chain off of her. But that is many months if not maybe years in the future. For now she seems content with the arrangement, and so am I. Of course Barney has now decided to try exploring for himself- but unlike his sister I can yell at him (makes me feel better at least) and he'll come back and wag his tail at me. In between times the two play in the yard together. All of this after 11 years with the perfect dog.
P.S. She still gets a "weekend pass" to run through the woods to the pond and back with her brother and a neighbor's dog (with humans)- a "dog patrol". So she isn't on the chain gang concept continuously.
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