dog wandering at large

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What if a dog wanders off?

If a dog is found to be wandering at large , then an authorised person (of the Dog and Cat Management Board or a local council) can seize the dog [ Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA) s 60] (see Seizure and destruction of dogs ). It is an offence for the owner or person responsible for a dog to allow their dog to wander at large [s 43].

Maximum Penalty:

For a dangerous or prescribed breed of dog

• For a first offence: $5,000 fine
• For a subsequent offence: $10,000 fine

For any other dog: $2,500 fine

Expiation fee:

For a dangerous or prescribed breed of dog: $750

For any other dog: $210

A dog is considered to be wandering at large if it is

• in a public place (other than a park) or on private property without the occupier’s consent , without anyone exercising effective control of the dog by means of physical restraint [s 7(1)(a)], or
• in a public park if no one is exercising effective control of the dog either by means of physical restraint or by command (the dog being close to and within sight at all times) [s 7(1)(b)].

A dog is considered to be under effective control by means of physical restraint if on a leash chain or cord no more than 2 metres in length, or secured in a cage, vehicle or other object or structure [s 8].

It is a defence to this charge if the defendant can prove that they had taken all reasonable steps to prevent the dog from wandering at large [s 43(2)].

Where a person is found guilty of, or expiates, a subsequent offence, the court may order that the dog be disposed of within a specified period [s 43(3)].

Can I search an online register for a lost dog or cat?

Yes. Dogs and Cats Online has a search function available to search their register for a lost animal, by either the animal's registration number or microchip number. The register can be searched via the Dogs and Cats Online website .

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Unleashed and Unrestrained: Uncovering the Meaning of ‘Dog at Large’.

1. Introduction

Have you ever seen a dog running around without an owner or a leash? This is known as a “dog at large” and it is illegal in many places. In this article, we will discuss what a dog at large is, the laws that govern them, why it is important to keep your dog on a leash or in a fenced area, the common penalties for violating the laws, and tips to prevent your dog from becoming lost or escaping.

2. What is a Dog at Large?

A “dog at large” (or “running at large”) refers to any dog that is off its owner’s property and not under the control of its owner or another responsible person. This includes dogs that are not on a leash, running freely in public areas or on private property without permission. In some states and municipalities, it may also include dogs that are tied up outside but not supervised by their owners.

3. Laws Governing Dogs at Large

Laws governing dogs at large vary from state to state and even from municipality to municipality. Generally speaking, most states have laws that prohibit dogs from running loose in public areas unless they are under the direct control of their owners (i.e., on a leash). Some states also have laws that require dogs to be kept in fenced areas when they are not being supervised by their owners. In addition, many cities and towns have ordinances that require all dogs to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.

4. Reasons for Keeping Dogs on Leash or in Fenced Area

Keeping your dog on a leash or in a fenced area can help protect both your pet and other people from harm. Dogs can be unpredictable animals and may act aggressively if they feel threatened or provoked by another animal or person. Additionally, allowing your dog to roam freely can make them vulnerable to predators such as coyotes or other wild animals as well as traffic accidents if they wander onto roads without supervision. It is also important to note that allowing your pet off-leash can result in fines for violating local ordinances which can be costly for pet owners who do not comply with the law.

5. Common Penalties for Violating Dog at Large Laws

The penalties for violating dog at large laws vary depending on the municipality where you live but generally range from fines of $50-$100 per violation up to $500 per violation in some cases depending upon how many times you have been cited previously for similar offenses or if there has been any injury caused by your pet while it was running loose off-leash or unsupervised outside of its own yard/property line boundaries.Additionally, some municipalities may also require pet owners who violate these laws multiple times to obtain liability insurance coverage before being allowed to own another animal within city limits again which can add additional costs associated with having an unruly pet who does not obey local regulations concerning keeping them contained within specified boundaries when outside of their homes/yards.

6 Benefits of Having Dogs on Leash or in Fenced Area

Keeping your pet properly contained when outside of its home/yard boundaries helps protect both yourself and others from potential harm caused by an unrestrained animal who could potentially become aggressive towards people or other animals due to fear/anxiety caused by unfamiliar surroundings/situations.Additionally,having your pet properly contained helps ensure that it does not wander into dangerous areas such as busy roads where traffic accidents could occur which could injure both you,your pet,and other drivers/pedestrians nearby.Finally,having proper containment measures in place helps ensure compliance with local ordinances which can save you costly fines associated with violations of these regulations should they occur.

7 Tips To Prevent Your Dog From Becoming Lost Or Escaping

There are several steps you can take to help ensure that your pet remains safe while outdoors :

• Always keep an eye on your pet while outdoors – never leave them unattended even if they are leashed/contained within a fenced area.

• Make sure all gates leading into backyards/outdoor areas are securely closed after entering/exiting so no one else has access without permission.

• If possible,use microchipping technology so if your pet does become lost,it can easily be identified & returned home quickly & safely.

• Make sure all collars used for containment purposes fit properly & securely around the neck so there is no risk of slipping off during outdoor activity.

• If applicable,consider using GPS tracking devices so you always know where your pet is located & can quickly locate them should they become lost unexpectedly while away from home.

8 Conclusion

In conclusion,keeping our pets safe & secure while outdoors is essential for their health & wellbeing as well as our own peace of mind knowing they won’t get into trouble due to lack of proper supervision & containment measures being taken when away from home.By understanding what constitutes ‘dog at large’ situations & taking necessary steps such as leashing our pets when out in public places,using appropriate fencing options when necessary,utilizing microchipping technologies,& investing in GPS tracking devices – we can help ensure our beloved companions remain safe no matter where life takes us together!

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Why Is My Dog Wandering Around At Night

If you are a dog owner, you may have experienced the frustration of your furry friend wandering around at night. This behavior can be puzzling and concerning, leaving you wondering why your dog is roaming the house when everyone else is trying to sleep. There are several reasons why dogs may exhibit this behavior, ranging from health issues to boredom. In this article, we will explore why your dog may be wandering around at night, as well as common concerns and answers related to this topic.

One of the most common reasons why dogs wander around at night is due to anxiety or stress. Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety and may have trouble settling down at night. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as loud noises, changes in routine, or separation anxiety. According to a professional in the field, “ Dogs who are anxious or stressed may display restless behavior, such as wandering around at night. It's important to address the underlying cause of your dog 's anxiety to help them feel more comfortable and secure.”

Another reason why your dog may be wandering around at night is due to a lack of exercise. Dogs are naturally active animals and need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. If your dog is not getting enough physical activity during the day, they may have excess energy to burn off at night. A professional trainer explains, “ Dogs who are under-exercised may resort to restless behavior, such as pacing or wandering around at night. Make sure your dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation throughout the day to prevent this behavior.”

Additionally, medical issues can also cause dogs to wander around at night. Pain or discomfort from conditions such as arthritis or gastrointestinal problems can make it difficult for dogs to settle down and sleep. A veterinarian advises, “If your dog is exhibiting unusual behavior, such as wandering around at night, it's important to rule out any underlying medical issues. Schedule a check-up with your vet to ensure your dog is healthy and pain-free.”

Furthermore, age-related changes can also contribute to nighttime wandering in dogs . Senior dogs may experience cognitive decline, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction, which can cause confusion and disorientation. A professional behaviorist notes, “Senior dogs may have trouble navigating their surroundings, leading to wandering behavior at night. Providing a comfortable and familiar environment for your senior dog can help reduce their nighttime restlessness.”

Now, let's explore some interesting trends related to dogs wandering around at night:

1. Breed-specific tendencies: Certain dog breeds are more prone to restlessness and wandering behavior at night. For example, high-energy breeds like Border Collies or Australian Shepherds may need extra mental and physical stimulation to prevent nighttime restlessness.

2. Environmental factors: Changes in the environment, such as moving to a new home or introducing a new pet , can trigger anxiety and restlessness in dogs . It's important to create a calm and predictable environment for your dog to help them feel secure.

3. Lack of routine: Dogs thrive on routine and may become anxious or restless if their daily schedule is disrupted. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help your dog feel more relaxed and settled at night.

4. Attention-seeking behavior: Some dogs may wander around at night as a way to get attention from their owners. If your dog is seeking attention, it's important to provide positive reinforcement for calm behavior and ignore attention-seeking antics.

5. Separation anxiety: Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety may exhibit restless behavior, such as wandering around at night, when left alone. Using desensitization techniques and providing interactive toys can help alleviate separation anxiety in dogs .

6. Medical conditions: Dogs with underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid imbalances or gastrointestinal issues, may exhibit restless behavior at night. Regular veterinary check-ups and proper medical management can help address these issues.

7. Lack of mental stimulation: Dogs need mental stimulation to keep their brains engaged and prevent boredom. Providing interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and training exercises can help satisfy your dog 's mental needs and prevent nighttime restlessness.

Now, let's address some common concerns and answers related to dogs wandering around at night:

1. Concern: “Is my dog in pain or discomfort?” Answer: If your dog is exhibiting unusual behavior, such as wandering around at night, it's important to rule out any underlying medical issues. Schedule a check-up with your vet to ensure your dog is healthy and pain-free.

2. Concern: “Is my dog anxious or stressed?” Answer: Dogs who are anxious or stressed may display restless behavior, such as wandering around at night. Addressing the underlying cause of your dog 's anxiety can help them feel more comfortable and secure.

3. Concern: “Is my dog getting enough exercise?” Answer: Dogs who are under-exercised may resort to restless behavior, such as pacing or wandering around at night. Make sure your dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation throughout the day.

4. Concern: “Is my dog bored?” Answer: Lack of mental stimulation can lead to boredom and restless behavior in dogs . Providing interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and training exercises can help satisfy your dog 's mental needs.

5. Concern: “Is my dog experiencing cognitive decline?” Answer: Senior dogs may exhibit wandering behavior at night due to cognitive decline. Providing a comfortable and familiar environment for your senior dog can help reduce nighttime restlessness.

6. Concern: “Is my dog seeking attention?” Answer: Some dogs may wander around at night as a way to get attention from their owners. Providing positive reinforcement for calm behavior and ignoring attention-seeking antics can help curb this behavior.

7. Concern: “Is my dog anxious when left alone?” Answer: Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety may exhibit restless behavior at night when left alone. Using desensitization techniques and providing interactive toys can help alleviate separation anxiety.

In summary, dogs may wander around at night for a variety of reasons, including anxiety, lack of exercise, medical issues, age-related changes, and breed-specific tendencies. By addressing the underlying cause of your dog 's nighttime restlessness and providing a calm and predictable environment, you can help your furry friend feel more comfortable and secure. Remember to consult with professionals in the field, such as veterinarians, trainers, and behaviorists, to ensure your dog 's health and well-being. With patience and understanding, you can help your dog overcome nighttime wandering and enjoy restful sleep for both you and your furry companion.

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The Effects of Aging

As they age, our dogs often suffer a decline in functioning. Their memory, their ability to learn, their awareness and their senses of sight and hearing can all deteriorate. Aging can also change their social relationships with you and other pets in your home. Understanding the changes your dog is undergoing can help you compassionately and effectively deal with behavior problems that may arise in your dog’s senior years.

Be sure to report all changes you see to your dog’s veterinarian. Don’t assume that your dog is “just getting old” and nothing can be done to help him. Many changes in behavior can be signs of treatable medical disorders (please see Ruling Out Specific Medical Problems, below), and there are a variety of therapies that can comfort your dog and manage his symptoms, including any pain he might be experiencing.

In addition to seeking professional help from your veterinarian and an animal behavior expert (such as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, CAAB or ACAAB) for the age-related behavior issues covered in this article, a key contributing factor to keeping your older dog healthy is to continue to play with him, exercise him and train him throughout his life. You will likely need to adapt play and exercise to his slower movements, reduced energy level, declining eyesight and hearing, and any medical conditions he may have. Talk to a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in your area (CPDT) for fun ways to teach your old dog new tricks. Patiently keeping in mind his slower learning curve, you can have fun sharpening up rusty behaviors he once learned and teaching him some new behaviors and tricks. A CPDT can also help you change your verbal cues to hand signals if your dog has lost his hearing and help you adjust your training for any physical impairments your dog may have developed. There are many ways to keep your older dog’s life interesting and stimulating that don’t require vigorous physical effort. Just as with humans, dogs need to use their brains and bodies to maintain their mental and physical fitness. As the saying goes, use it or lose it!

Checklist for Cognitive Dysfunction

Following is a list of possible changes and symptoms in your senior dog that could indicate cognitive dysfunction.

Confusion/Spatial Disorientation

• Gets lost in familiar locations
• Goes to the wrong side of the door (where the hinge is)
• Gets stuck and can’t navigate around or over obstacles

Relationships/Social Behavior

• Less interested in petting, interactions, greeting people or other dogs, etc.
• Needs constant contact, becomes overdependent and clingy

Activity—Increased or Repetitive

• Stares, fixates on or snaps at objects
• Paces or wanders about aimlessly
• Licks you, family members or objects a lot
• Vocalizes more
• Eats more food or eats more quickly

Activity—Decreased, Apathetic

• Explores less and responds less to things going on around him
• Grooms himself less

Anxiety/Increased Irritability

• Seems restless or agitated
• Is anxious about being separated from family members
• Behaves more irritably in general

Sleep-Wake Cycles/Reversed Day-Night Schedule

• Sleeps restlessly, awakens at night
• Sleeps more during the day

Learning and Memory—House Soiling

• Eliminates indoors in random locations or in view of you or family members
• Eliminates indoors after returning from outside
• Eliminates in sleeping areas (for example, in his crate or on the couch or floor)
• Uses body language less (body postures and signals associated with feelings)
• Develops incontinence (accidental release of bladder)

Learning and Memory—Work, Tasks, Cues

• Demonstrates an impaired ability to work or perform tasks
• Sometimes seems unable to recognize familiar people and pets
• Shows decreased responsiveness to known cues for obedience, tricks, sports and games
• Seems unable or slower to learn new tasks or cues

Ruling Out Other Causes for Your Dog’s Behavior

If your dog shows any of the symptoms or changes listed above, your first step is to take him to his veterinarian to determine whether there is a specific medical cause for his behavior. Any medical or degenerative illness that causes pain, discomfort or decreased mobility—such as arthritis, dental disease, hypothyroidism, cancer, impaired sight or hearing, urinary tract disease or Cushing’s disease—can lead to increased sensitivity and irritability, increased anxiety about being touched or approached, increased aggression (since your dog may choose to threaten and bite rather than move away), decreased responsiveness to your voice, reduced ability to adapt to change and reduced ability to get to usual elimination areas.

If medical problems are ruled out, and if primary behavior problems unrelated to aging are ruled out (for example, problems that started years before your dog began aging or those that started in response to recent changes in his environment or family), then these behavioral signs are presumed to be due to the effects of aging on the brain and are diagnosed as “cognitive dysfunction syndrome.”

Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction

The primary signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome can be summarized with the acronym CRASH, which stands for:

• Confusion/disorientation
• Responsiveness/recognition decreases
• Activity changes
• Sleep-wake cycle disturbances
• House training lapses

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome can be treated by your dog’s veterinarian with the drug selegiline hydrochloride (brand name Anipryl®). There are a number of other medications and supplements that you and your vet may consider as well. It’s most effective to combine drug therapy with behavioral treatment that’s based on the specific problems your dog is having.

Specific Geriatric Behavior Problems and Their Behavioral Treatment

Anxiety—Including Separation Anxiety Some common concerns reported by guardians of aging dogs are increased sensitivity and irritability, increased fear of unfamiliar pets and people (sometimes accompanied by aggression), decreased tolerance of touch and restraint, increased following and desire for contact, and increased anxiety when left alone. Noise sensitivity from hearing loss can also make some dogs more anxious and vocal. Your own frustration and distress over your dog’s behavior can add to your dog’s anxiety as well.

If house soiling has become a problem, some guardians opt to crate their dogs when they’re not home. Unfortunately, confining a senior dog to a crate can raise his anxiety level if he’s never been crated or is no longer accustomed to it. To make things worse, if he can’t get comfortable in the crate, or if he can’t control his bowels or bladder, he’ll be even more anxious and may attempt to escape. In these cases, it may be the confinement, not the guardian’s departure, that causes anxiety.

If it’s the guardian’s departure and absence that causes a dog’s anxiety, it’s called separation anxiety. The cardinal indicators of separation anxiety are:

• Predeparture anxiety: pacing, panting, salivating, hiding, trembling or depression as you prepare to leave
• House soiling (or soiling the crate), destructiveness or vocalizing that occur soon after you leave the house
• Destructiveness directed at exit points, like windows and doors, and house soiling while you’re gone
• Refusal to eat when left alone (even if you leave your dog food, treats or a food-stuffed toy, he doesn’t eat at all when you’re gone, but does after you return)

The most important factor in diagnosing these behaviors as separation anxiety is that they occur only during your absence. If these behaviors occur while you or your family members are home, other issues may be causing them instead. For example, if your dog soils in the house both when you're gone and when you're home, you probably have a house training problem. The same is true of destructiveness. If destructive chewing happens when you're home, it's a training issue, not separation anxiety.

A distinct feature of geriatric (late-onset) separation anxiety is that it can manifest as nighttime anxiety, almost as if your dog views your sleeping as a form of separation. Your dog may keep you awake by pacing, panting and pawing at you, and demanding attention. This type of separation anxiety may indicate undiagnosed disease, and it can be relieved by treating the disease or, at minimum, relieving your dog’s pain or discomfort. A thorough examination by your dog’s veterinarian is crucial to determine whether there’s a medical basis for your dog’s anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety involves controlling any underlying medical problems and using a behavioral treatment called desensitization and counterconditioning (DSCC). Identifying and changing any of your own responses that might be aggravating your dog’s behavior is also helpful. In conjunction with behavioral treatment, pheromones and drugs can be used to reduce anxiety and improve your dog’s cognitive function. Please see our article, Separation Anxiety , for more detailed information on this disorder and its treatment.   

Excessive Vocalization Your senior dog’s vocalizing can become a problem if he does it too often or at inappropriate times, like when you’re sleeping. Anxious vocalizing is usually a plaintive howl or excessive whining. If your dog does it only when you’re gone, it could indicate separation anxiety. If he does it when you’re home, then you’ll need the help of a behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist to determine what’s causing your dog to vocalize so much.

Loss of hearing, cognitive dysfunction, central nervous system disorders and medical conditions can all contribute to your dog’s excessive vocalization. He might whine or howl if he feels the urge to eliminate more, if he’s overeating and wants you to give him more food, or if he’s in pain. If your dog has become more fearful and anxious, he might begin vocalizing at things that scare or stress him, like noises or visitors. Showing your own frustration or punishing your dog for vocalizing can also increase his anxiety and aggravate the problem.

Once any underlying medical problem and cognitive dysfunction are treated, behavioral treatment involves identifying and modifying any of your own responses that might be reinforcing or aggravating your dog’s behavior. For some dogs, training them to be quiet on cue and rewarding quiet behavior is effective. For other dogs, nonshock bark-control collars, such as the citronella collar, may be needed. Drug therapy may also help if your dog’s vocalizations are motivated by anxiety. Please see our article, Howling , for more information on the various causes and treatments for excessive vocalizing. 

Restlessness/Waking at Night Dogs who sleep more during the day can become more restless and active at night. Some dogs start overreacting to things they once ignored, like the garage door opening or the newspaper being delivered. Keeping a record can help you identify what triggers your dog’s nighttime activity.

Sensory changes, such as eyesight or hearing loss, can affect your dog’s depth of sleep. His sleep-wake cycles may be affected by cognitive dysfunction or other types of central nervous system disorders. Ask your dog’s veterinarian to do a complete examination to look for medical problems that could cause restlessness, discomfort or an increased need to eliminate. Any medical problems should be treated first, and then, if necessary, you can gently retrain your dog to reestablish normal sleeping and waking hours. Try increasing his daytime and evening activity by giving him frequent walks, playing his favorite games, practicing obedience or tricks, and giving him food-puzzle toys and bones to chew. You can also ask his veterinarian about combining your retraining with drugs to induce sleep or, alternatively, drugs to keep your dog more active during the day.  

House Soiling As with all the behavior problems covered here, any number of medical problems can contribute to house soiling, including sensory decline, neuromuscular conditions that affect your dog’s mobility, brain tumors, cognitive dysfunction, endocrine system disorders, and any disorder that increases your dog’s frequency of elimination or decreases his bladder or bowel control.

If your dog soils in the house only when you’re gone and shows other signs of separation anxiety (please see above, Anxiety—Including Separation Anxiety), then he may be suffering from this disorder. Please see our article, Separation Anxiety , for detailed information on this problem and its treatment.

Since they’re often less adaptable to change, some older dogs might begin soiling in the house if there’s a change in their schedule, environment or household. Once your dog has used an indoor location to eliminate when you’re gone, that area can become established as a preferred spot, even if you’ve cleaned it thoroughly. It’s often necessary to have a complete behavior history taken by a qualified professional, such as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), to determine the reason for your dog’s house soiling and design effective treatment. To find one of these experts in your area, please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help .

Once your dog’s medical issues have been identified and treated—for example, after his anxiety has been eased, his pain reduced or his incontinence controlled through medication—then you’ll need to reestablish proper house training with the same methods you used when he was a puppy. These methods include close supervision indoors, confinement in a crate or other small area away from previously soiled sites when you can’t closely supervise, and a regular, frequent schedule of trips outdoors with tasty rewards for outdoor elimination. You may need to adjust your schedule to accommodate your dog’s need for more frequent elimination in his senior years. If you can’t, consider hiring a dog walker or providing your dog with a place indoors to eliminate, such as newspapers, a dog litter box or potty pads. 

Destructive Behavior Just as with other behavior problems of senior dogs, the underlying cause of destructive behavior needs to be determined in order to provide effective treatment. Some destructive behaviors reported in senior dogs are pica (ingesting inedible objects); licking, sucking or chewing body parts, household objects or family members; and scratching and digging. Each of these may have a different cause, so a thorough medical evaluation combined with a behavioral history is necessary to determine a cause or causes for your dog’s behavior. For example, cognitive dysfunction might be considered in dogs with licking, chewing or pica. Treatment of underlying medical problems and cognitive dysfunction may resolve some problems but not others. If your dog is suffering from anxiety, phobia or fear of particular things (people, situations, objects, thunder, etc.), these issues need to be treated. Please see Fears and Phobias below for more information. Modifying your home and your dog’s environment can be helpful as well. Prevent access to sites where your dog’s destructiveness has occurred or might occur, and provide him with new, interesting toys to chew (or bones, rawhides, bully sticks, food-stuffed toys, etc.).

Fears and Phobias Sensory decline, cognitive dysfunction and anxiety can all contribute to fears and phobias. The first step in treatment is to control underlying medical problems and cognitive dysfunction. Older dogs can suffer from fears and phobias of noise and thunderstorms and, less commonly, of going outdoors, entering certain rooms or walking on certain types of surfaces. Dog guardians’ own understandably frustrated reaction to their dogs’ behavior can also aggravate the problem—especially punishment is used. Try keeping your dog away from whatever triggers his fears or phobia, or masking the noise with background music. With the guidance of a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), you can also use behavioral treatment to change your dog’s emotional response to things that frighten or upset him and, as a result, change his behavior. (Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help , to locate a CAAB or ACAAB in your area.) See your veterinarian about possible drug or pheromone therapy for panic and anxiety, which can also help ease your dog’s fears and anxiety. 

Compulsive and Stereotypic Behaviors Compulsive and stereotypic behavior problems encompass a wide variety of behaviors with many possible causes. They’re defined as ritualized, repetitive behaviors that have no apparent goal or function. Examples include stereotypic licking or overgrooming that results in self-injury (“hot spots,” for example), spinning or tail chasing, pacing and jumping, air biting or fly snapping, staring at shadows or walls, flank sucking and pica (eating inedible objects, like rocks). Some medical conditions, including cognitive dysfunction, can contribute to or cause these behaviors. Compulsive disorders often arise from situations of conflict or anxiety. Things or situations that make your dog feel conflicted, stressed or anxious can lead him to engage in displacement behaviors, which can then become compulsive over time. (Displacement behaviors are those that occur outside of their normal context when dogs are frustrated, conflicted or stressed. An example is a dog who stops suddenly to groom himself while en route to his guardian who has just called him. He may be unsure of whether he’s going to be punished, so he expresses his anxiety by grooming, lip licking, yawning or sniffing the ground.) Drug therapy is usually necessary to resolve compulsive disorders. But if you can identify the source of conflict early on and reduce or eliminate it (such as conflict between your pets or inconsistent or delayed punishment from you), behavioral drug therapy may not be necessary. 

Aggression A multitude of factors can contribute to an increase in a dog’s aggressive behavior. Medical conditions that affect your dog’s appetite, mobility, cognition, senses or hormones can lead to increased aggression, as can conditions that cause him pain or irritability. Aggression to family members can occur following changes in the family makeup, such as marriage or divorce, death or birth. Aggression to other pets can occur when a new pet is introduced to the family, as a younger dog matures or as an older dog becomes weaker or less assertive. Increased aggression toward unfamiliar people and animals can arise from your dog’s increasing anxiety and sensitivity as he ages.

Aggression can’t be effectively treated until a diagnosis has been made and the cause has been determined. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help , to locate a qualified animal behavior expert in your area, such as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB). If you can’t find a behaviorist, you can seek help from a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), but be sure the trainer is qualified to help you. Determine whether she or he has education and experience in treating aggression, since this expertise is not required for CPDT certification.

One of these professionals can evaluate the situation and help you treat your dog’s aggression. Treatment—whether drug therapy, behavior therapy or making changes in your dog’s environment—will depend on the specific type of aggression and its cause or triggers. For example, treatment for fear-based aggression involves desensitization and counterconditioning (DSCC), as well as training to improve your control over your dog. Avoiding or preventing the triggers of your dog’s aggression may be the best option in these cases. Head halters can give you more control over your dog and increase everyone’s safety. Please see our article, Aggression in Dogs , for more information.

1Landsberg, G., Hunthausen. W., & Ackerman, L. (2003). Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat. Saunders: New York.

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3 Easy Ways To Keep A Dog From Wandering Off

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Stopping your dog from wandering off is imperative to keeping your dog safe in an unfenced yard, a large property, while hiking or doing other adventurous activities in unfamiliar locations. You definitely want to stop your dog from wandering off as it will prevent your dog going into your neighbours yard or even worse having a stroll down the road and being exposed to the danger of being hit by a car.

To keep a dog from wandering off you can either use an invisible fence/GPS tracking collar system; train your dog to stay in an unfenced yard or erect a traditional fence. An invisible fence is a perfect solution for farm dogs or dogs living on large properties that have unfenced boundaries. Training a dog to stay in an unfenced yard or getting a traditional fence is a better solution for city dogs or dogs who live on smaller blocks of land.

Table of Contents

1. Use An Invisible Fence/GPS Tracking Collar System

One of the most high tech solutions for keeping a dog from wandering off is to use an invisible fence or GPS tracking collar. These products allow you to track the location of your dog from an app on your phone. Some even allow you to create a virtual fence and give your alerts/notifications when your dog crosses it.

GPS Collar & Virtual Fence For Farmers & People Living On Large Properties

An invisible or virtual fence can be created with a GPS tracking collar system such as SpotOn Virtual Fences by walking around the perimeter of any containment area. You then follow their simple steps to teach your dog to stay in the yard. From the comfort of your phone you can track your dog (when they are wearing the GPS collar) and stay connected by viewing maps and getting virtual fence breach alerts/escape notifications.

I think what sets SpotOn aside from other similar products is that you can create multiple fences with the one device, modify the fence shape whenever and that it is portable meaning you can take the system whenever you move house or go travelling. An invisible fence system such as this one is highly suited to people who live rurally on acreage. This is because they have a minimum amount of acreage required for the fence to work. Find Out The Current Price Of SpotOn Virtual Fences Here!

GPS Collar Suited For City Dwellers

For people who are city dwellers, a product such as the FitBark GPS & Health Tracking Collar is more suitable . While this collar does not have an invisible fence system, it still allows you to track the where-a-bouts of your dog from your phone. In addition, it has health tracking for your dog including sleep quality, distance travelled and calories burned etc. Find Out The Current Price Of FitBark GPS Dog Collars Here!

2. Train Your Dog To Stay In An Unfenced Yard

As GPS invisible fence systems can be pricey and also work best for large blocks of land, you might be looking for a cheaper solution. Training a dog to stay in an unfenced yard is one of the hardest things to train your dog to do as it comes under the umbrella of behaviour correction. This being said it is possible however it will take roughly 2 to 4 months to full train a dog to stay in an unfenced yard. It is a very worthwhile skill to teach a dog.

How To Train A Dog To Stay In An Unfenced Yard

1. walk around the boundary on leash.

Firstly, you want to introduce the boundary of your property to your dog. Do this by walking along the perimeter on leash. As you walk you should point towards the ground to visually mark out the boundary for your dog. You can even mark it out with flags at first. Do this walk several times a day for about 3 to 5 days.

The Best Dog Breeds For Houseboats

2. start off-leash walking.

After 3 to 5 days of on-leash walking, your dog should have a good idea of where the boundary is. Now you need to start training your dog to not wander over it. Do the same thing by pointing at the ground where the perimeter is when your dog is off-leash. You can even do some more generally sweeping motions with your arms to visually indicate the boundary. Do this walk 3 or 4 times a day for a few days. Your dog should be starting to stop at the perimeter of your property and not cross it. If they do cross the boundary line use the ‘come’ command and restart your walk around the perimeter.

3. Introduce Commands

There are two main commands that you need to use when training a dog to stay in an unfenced yard: sit, stay and leave it.

• Sit Command: Firstly start by teaching your dog to sit in various locations around the boundary line of your property.
• Stay Command: Next tell your dog to stay while sitting and cross over the boundary line while your dog stays at the boundary. Reward him/her if they stay on their side of the boundary with treats.
• Leave It Command: Continue doing the same daily boundary walks with your dog. During these walks use the ‘leave it’ command when your dog approaches the perimeter. You can even make it more of a challenge by tossing treats over the boundary line and then using the leave it command. Give your dog a different treat if he/she is successful in staying on the right side of the property.

3. Get A Traditional Fence

If a GPS invisible fence collar system and training your dog to not cross your property boundary line, you might have to result to the traditional solution of a fence. This will generally be the case for young dogs such as puppies who can’t be trusted yet with safe free roaming in a yard.

Further Reading

• Are No Pull Harnesses Really Worth It?
• 11 Must Have Items To Bring For Your Dog While Travelling
• The Best Dog Harnesses With Handles

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Sophie Hamilton is the founder of PupTraveller. She is a dog expert with over 5 years experience in the pet industry where she has researched and written over 400 articles about dogs. Sophie is the go-to resource for dog owners and hopes to share her extensive knowledge of dogs with PupTraveller’s readers.

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Dogs at Large

What is a dog at large.

A dog is considered at large when it is not under effective control. For example, walking the dog off a lead (not in a designated off lead area) or the dog is out roaming free and uncontained.

Reporting a dog at large

If you observe a dog at large please report it to council as soon as possible by

08 8930 0600

[email protected]

Procedure for a dog at large

• When you report a dog at large, our regulatory administration team will ask about details of the dog and the location.
• A ranger will be dispatched to attend and investigate.
• If the dog has a microchip, has a visible City of Darwin tag, is currently registered with City of Darwin and has no history of being at large, the ranger may call the owner to return the dog home. The owner may be issued with a dog at large infringement.
• If the dog does not have a microchip, a City of Darwin tag is not visible or if the dog has a history of being at large, the dog may be taken to the pound.
• If the dog is not secured by the ranger but the address is known, the ranger may issue a Dog at Large notice to the owner and a Fail to Contain infringement may be issued once sufficient evidence is obtained.
• If the dog is not sighted by the ranger and the address is not known, no further action will be taken.

Enforcement – Section 47 Proper containment of dogs and cats

If we receive more reports of a dog at large and sufficient evidence is provided/obtained, Council may issue the dog owner a Fail to Contain Dog infringement and a ‘show cause’ letter may also be issued.

In more serious instances the dog may be seized under a Warrant. In this instance, the dog will then be impounded and held for four days. If the owner makes no attempt to contact Council or find an alternate property outside the Darwin Municipality, the dog may be rehomed or euthanised.

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