Houdini Dog

So we've had this problem with the dog.

He keeps getting out.

Three days after we got him, he disapeared from our yard around noon. Sure he came wandering back all pleased with himself about 6pm (right in time for dinner--of course!). But that was after hours of looking for him, going to the various shelters, and wondering if he was the next order up at the roadkill cafe.

Unless he was unlatching and relatching the gate (hey he's smart), he had to be going either under or over our 6' chain link fence. Sure he can jump, but 6'? We opted for under.

Kevin found a loose spot in our fence the afternoon he got out. If you push firmly on the South side of our fenced yard, a small 5" gap would open up between the fence and the ground. Enough that a determined pooch could slide out if he really wanted to.

So I spent the next morning staking down all the loose fence areas. I also piled bricks in front of the West Gate, just in case the little gap there looked too inviting.

That afternoon, he got out again. What!? How?!

We wondered if he was jumping up on the bar b q to get over the fence, or maybe using the railing of the deck as a boost to clear the 6' barrier.

Finally desperate to find the answer, we started playing fetch, and one throw lobbed it over the fence where he could not reach it. Dietrich looked frusterated and went to the back gate wanting to be let out so he could retrieve the ball. The three of us outside (Jonathan, Jacob and I) all urged him on "get it boy!! fetch it up!" He got pretty worked up and anxious and then, with one flying leap he jumped straight to the top of our 6' fence, grabbed the top with his paws, pulled his back legs over and was out. No effort.

Oh, did I mention he's trying to learn to use a doorknob. No Joke.

It's a scary thing to own a dog smarter than many people.....