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I have a Cavalier King Charles spaniel/beagle cross, who keeps on jumping the fence. What do I do?

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Phil Newton answered

The first thing to realise when dogs jump over fences is that their behaviour is completely normal. The reason dogs jump over fences can be attributed to a variety of things, but for the most part, it's simply a case of curiosity and a desire to explore. 

Having said that, it's certainly not ideal for a dog to jump over a fence and escape, and there are a number of things you can do to try to dissuade your dog from doing so.  Here are a few things to try.

Exercise

Many behavioural traits that are perceived as negative in dogs arise due to a lack of activity.  If your dog is worn out through exercise he or she is less likely to have the desire to jump over a fence.  You should walk your dog regularly and incorporate some fun activities such as playing fetch with a ball or frisbee.

Positive reinforcement

Many people rely on punishment to train a dog.  In reality, this doesn't work most of the time.  The reason for this is a lack of long term memory.  If your dog jumps over and fence and receives a punishment, he or she will unlikely recall why the punishment is being given.

As an alternative, it's better to reinforce desirable behaviour as a way to tell the dog that good things happen if he or she behave in a certain way.  For example, if your dog goes into the garden and plays with a ball instead of jumping the fence, you should provide a treat.  Over time, your dog will learn that certain behaviour leads to delicious treats. 

Last resort

As a last resort, you could attempt to raise the height of your fences, or keep your dog on a lead when he or she is outside. I would suggest that you try the earlier recommendations before this though.

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