Why do Border Collies tend to run away?
As with any dog, Border Collies don’t run away from a place they consider their home sweet home — unless of course, things went sour and they finally have a good reason to leave.
A dog roaming around is different from a dog running off and never returning. Although Border Collies are clever enough to open gates, their DNA alone is not enough to impel them to pack their bags and scram.
Dogs are smart and savvy, particularly Border Collies. If you truly love your dog, he will stay in your home because he is well aware of the advantages of being a pampered pooch — high-quality food, comfortable bed, chests of toys, and whatnot.
Besides, aren’t Border Collies notable for being too clingy and affectionate towards their humans? That being said, why do Border Collies run away sometimes?
Read on to learn more!
Are Border Collies Good Off-Leash?
Border Collies are one of the most reliable breeds for hiking off-leash, but only when he has a sufficient level of obedience training to have a solid recall.
Border Collies who live in large, open properties in the countryside are also well-behaved even when they are off-leash. But in a busy city or town, your dog may bolt the moment his leash is taken off because he rarely gets to run free as a bird.
In my experience, I learned that it is 100% better to be safe than sorry regarding your dog’s safety. You should never let any dog regardless of age or level of training roam around off-leash where he could run into the street and get into trouble.
Whether you live in a suburban subdivision or a large estate in the province, consider using a wireless electric fence to teach your canine the permissible range they have and give him rewards to respect those limits.
Do Border Collies Roam?
Several things may unleash the A-list escape artist within your pooch. Most of the time these reasons are hormones, confinement, and anxiety. He may run off on a self-guided tour around the neighborhood when he is bored, but rest assured he will return when his stomach is growling.
Puppy Love
When a female pooch is in season and your collie is unneutered, he will travel many miles to sit and wait on her doorstep. Neutering is obviously the best answer to this hormonal issue.
Running off might start as a quest for girlfriends but even when there are none, he might escape out of habit. Therefore, neuter your dog young.
Borderless Boredom
Border Collies may leave the house for no reason other than seeking adventure. Border Collies will get up to mischief when bored, and unfortunately, these hairy farm boys get easily bored and fidgety.
Just imagine: a rancher only needs one Border Collie to herd a thousand sheep. Imagine the amount of stamina and diligence this dog has! More impressively, this breed can handle many kinds of livestock, not just sheep.
Now, how would you feel if there is so much potential in you yet you are confined inside the house? As expected of these workaholic canines, they need sufficient mental and physical activities to cope up with their off-the-roof energy. This can be a challenge for those who live in an apartment.
Apartment dwellers will need to take their dogs out for a walk each day, play games, and so forth. If you don’t spend enough time and effort taking care of your sparky canine, he is quick enough to find creative ways for exhausting his pent-up energy.
Coy Collies
Although Border Collies make excellent watchdogs, they tend to become nervous around large crowds and strange dogs. Border collies prefer small groups of familiar people and they become quickly uncomfortable when they are in the company of those who didn’t fit that description. As a result, these shy doggies may run off and hide.
What Dogs Don’t Run Away?
Not all dogs have itchy feet or bolt after squirrels. Many dogs gravitate towards the comforts of home, and these include the following breeds:
- Boston Terrier
- Papillon
- Pug
- French Bulldog
- Bichon Frise
- Shih Tzu
- Maltese
- Greyhound
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- Basset Hound
- Bulldog
- Bullmastiff
- Mastiffs (English, American, and Neapolitan)
- Great Dane
What Dogs are Most Likely to Run Away?
Some canines have strong impulses towards wandering. The following breeds are notorious for jumping through the fence or digging a tunnel of escape:
- Labrador Retriever
- Siberian Husky
- Golden Retriever
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Belgian Malinois
- German Shepherd
- Bloodhound
- Beagles
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Dachshund
Then again, you need to know that the innate qualities of the Border Collie are not entirely to blame for this behavior. The time and effort you invest in training and caring for your pooch are also deciding factors.
Conclusion
A successful relationship with your Border Collie depends upon you staying in control and teaching him appropriate boundaries. You don’t have to act like an SS commander, but you want to make sure his range is sufficiently limited. If you allow your pooch to do what he wants in small, harmless ways, he may start doing what he wants in big, irritating, and even dangerous ways.
Moreover, provide your Border Collie with sufficient mental and physical stimulation to keep him happy, hale, and hearty. Whatever the reason he ran off, you should never beat your runaway pooch. Regardless of how smart Border collies are, it is unlikely that they will understand the logic of physical punishment. These dogs are sensitive and you may only motivate them to leave again.