In this question, do Rat Terriers run away? We are going to be discussing the several common reasons why do some Rat Terriers trying to run away, as well as some helpful tips for how you can stop it.
Does your Rat Terrier make a run for it as soon as you open the door? Perhaps they relentlessly dig under the edge of the fence in a bid to make their escape.
When your Rat Terrier runs away, it can not only be a confusing behavior, but a worrying one too, out and about alone. They could be stolen, hit by a car, or attacked by a wild animal.
So…
Do Rat Terriers Run Away
Yes, Rat Terriers can run away if something drastic happens or something unfamiliar like a loud strange noise. Changing environment, boredom, lack of training, and their instinctual way of hunting, all will trigger their attempt to run away for the first time.
Why do Rat Terriers trying to run away? Here are several common reasons for this behavior as well as tips for how you can stop it:
1. Trying to return home or moving to a new home.
If you have recently moved, your Rat Terrier may not have adapted to the change as quickly as you have.
All they know is that they are in an unfamiliar place and they may want to try and get back to the place that feels most like home.
You will undoubtedly be pleased with your new house and like its location, but your Rat Terrier’s reaction may be different.
They readily develop separation anxiety in this setting since everything looks unfamiliar to them.
You won’t be shocked to learn that your Rat Terrier has run away from an unusual location.
How to stop it:
Firstly, before you move, it is ideal if you can move your Rat Terrier around the new space to familiarize yourself with it.
Allowing them to sniff around and get acquainted with the new smells.
Additionally, try to make your new home feel as familiar as possible to your pop by surrounding them with their favorite belongings of the previous house.
Lastly, it may be necessary to carefully limit your Rat Terrier’s freedom for a little why, until they have a chance to settle in, and you can walk them around on their leash to get them fully acclimated to the new surroundings and neighborhood.
2. Lack of company or boredom.
In this question do Rat Terriers run away? Rat Terriers are social, and they need regular attention and something to keep them occupied.
Unless you regularly engage with your Rat Terrier, they may become bored or lonely and even start trying to run away.
Similar to how we humans feel if we sit around all day doing nothing, your Rat Terrier is likely to grow bored if you don’t engage its mind and body.
The only thing you really need to do to keep your Rat Terrier active is to take them for a walk first thing in the morning.
Additionally, you may put interactive activities at their convenience to keep their minds occupied.
They’ll have enough mental and physical stimulation thanks to all of this.
How to stop it:
Pay attention to them, and find new ways to interact with them in a fun way. It is not always easy to juggle work and family life, etc.
But, so long as you make a plan and stick to it. It should be possible to schedule a daily walk, a bit of playtime, and some affection.
It can be all too easy to make excuses, but as little as five minutes here and there can go a long way and should be a welcome break for you too.
3. When Frightened.
Do Rat Terriers run away? If your Rat Terrier is one who scares easily, you may find that a sudden loud noise or a strange sight is enough to have them bolting out of the door to escape.
When there are thunderstorms or fireworks, your Rat Terrier is probably going to get scared. The loud noises will worry them and cause them to jump out the window.
Keep your Rat Terrier indoors during this mild situation, and try your best to allay her concerns about loud noises with calming treats, white noise, and Thunder Shirts.
How to stop it:
If you notice that there are unavoidable sounds or sights that regularly startle your Rat Terrier, it may help to work on helping them to relax by conditioning them through familiarization.
Basically training them to no longer recognize it is a threat, or at least to not feel the need to make a run for it.
It is also common, Ratties might be afraid of sounds like fireworks, and thunder.
So whoever possible prepare a comforting safe area them in advance to help them to stay calm and avoid them trying to escape.
4. Habit or behavior.
If your Rat Terrier is having to adjust to a considerable lifestyle change, such as moving from a rural property to the suburbs, it may take some time for them to get used to such a dramatic change in freedom.
It may be that your Rat Terrier tries to roam free because that is what feels most natural and normal to them.
How to stop it:
It can take some time for your Rat Terrier to adjust to such a change, especially if they have grown up with much more freedom than they now have.
You will need to train and teach your Rat Terrier that it is not okay to take off, as perhaps they did before.
This may take some time and a lot of positive reinforcement.
If it continues to be a problem it may be best to engage with a professional trainer to help make the change.
5. Stressed and worried about separation.
Rat Terriers are social animals that occasionally feel a need to bond with other members of their pack or with other dogs.
Because of this, anytime you leave them at home by themselves while you go to business, they begin to worry and experience severe anxiety.
The owners appear to be having an issue with their separation anxiety. Rat Terriers like pursuing and dislike being left alone.
You must gain their trust and provide a welcoming environment for them in order to reduce their separation anxiety.
How to stop it:
If the issue persists, all you need to do is provide positive feedback anytime you want to go and avoid raising your voice.
You can use conditioning to improve them if they are unable to adapt to the positive reinforcement.
Put on your shoes and grab your keys as if you were getting ready to go, but don’t.
Continue doing this for a while until they begin to acclimate and stop being worried.
Once you start to observe progress, move up with the procedure and go outside for a short while. Then gradually lengthen your absence.
In this case, you can ask your veterinarian or a dog trainer to assist if everything has been done, but you still feel uneasy.
6. When your Rat Terrier isn’t properly trained.
If your Rat Terrier is not properly trained, he may feel the urge to leave the house one day.
This really occurs when you open the door and your Rat Terrier runs out. It also occurs when your Rat Terrier appears to be pulling on his leash.
The best course of action in this situation to address the behavioral issues of Rat Terriers trying to flee is to seek the assistance of a qualified trainer.
7. They flee to find a mate.
Here, your Rat Terrier has a tendency to flee in search of a female to mate with.
Your Rat Terrier has to be neutered for this reason. In the meanwhile, if your Rat Terrier sees any female dogs around, he will constantly want to flee, so they can mate.
Ratties naturally require a breeding program in order to be neutered or spayed, thus it is necessary to do so.
How to stop it:
The sole solution is to get your Rat Terrier spayed or neutered, which will assist to, say, 90% lessen their drive to mate.
Another approach is to put them through obedience training, which will enable them to comply with your commands if they have a tendency to run away.
Again, always keep your Rat Terrier on a leash when you take them for daily walks.
8. When your Rat Terrier is not safe.
Ratties have the ability to flee when they are not safeguarded against their owners, and simply because you haven’t had them neutered or spayed.
If you don’t have a good fence surrounding your home, it’s possible that you haven’t adequately safeguarded your yard, which will cause your Rat Terrier to flee.
Because the harness or leash used to restrain your Rat Terrier is weak, it’s possible that they may escape from you while you’re out on a walk.
Once more, if you grudgingly let your Rat Terrier go off-leash, they could flee.
You should take the time to ensure that your Rat Terrier is properly secured, since this will give them the opportunity to flee.
How to stop it:
The best approach in this situation is to safeguard your house and yard by fencing it in since if you don’t, there’s a potential that they’ll be enticed to jump over the fence.
For it to be firmly planted and to prevent any breakout since Rat Terriers may dig, you can construct it with a wooden panel fence over a concrete cement base.
Installing safety barriers like baby gates, security bars, and door barriers can help you secure the exit.
Finally, please be cautious around your Rat Terrier whenever you open and lock your door for visitors.
As long as they are in your home with you, you should keep an eye on them constantly. While leaving for work, get your doors and windows closed.
9. Going after prey.
Ratties have a natural instinct to hunt and chase after prey, but they may also run away from these situations, since they have been waiting for this opportunity all along.
When they see a squirrel, a rat, or even a rabbit in your house, they like chasing them.
There is nothing you can do about it; instead, turn your house into a safe haven where they can play such a game of chasing.
Also, since they are escape artists, make sure there are no accessible escape routes.
Additionally, you need to keep a close eye on your Rat Terrier whether they are engaging with other pets in your home or playing with them.
Rat Terriers are also quite energetic, and one of their main exercises is running in the form of chasing. This helps them regulate their body temperature.
You might need to ask a behaviorist or trainer for assistance if it develops into a problem you are unable to manage.
How to stop it:
Try your hardest to keep your Rat Terrier engaged, active, and happy in this situation. Establish a regular schedule for playing with them.
Engage them in routine exercise, add an activity tracker to make it more entertaining, and give your Rat Terrier lots of snuggle time.
In other words, you may amuse them in more inventive methods, such as by creating an exciting game for your Rat Terrier play area.
For them to locate, you may also bury balls or toys that dispense treats throughout your yard.
Ensure that your Rat Terrier is kept company by hiring a pet sitter, and their mind will be stimulated by puzzle toys and activities.
What To Do In Locating Your Rat Terrier When Running Away
In some circumstances it can be almost impossible to prevent your Rat Terrier from escaping completely.
In which case the most important thing becomes being able to track them.
Technology like the fitbark tracker allows you to track your Rat Terrier’s whereabouts, as well as set it up to receive alerts the moment your Rat Terrier leaves any safe home you have created.
These tracking devices perform a variety of other useful functions too, such as monitoring activity, sleep, and even stress and anxiety.
Better still, there is a great fit bark coupon available if you want to save some money when buying a fitbark tracker for your Rat Terrier.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the common reasons that can cause your Rat Terrier to run away and if you are unsure or concerned it is best to seek professional advice from your vet or a local dog trainer.
It can be a stressful and worrying behavior to manage, but with the right approach, it should be possible to turn it around.
Related articles:
Ways To Calm A Rat Terrier Down.
Reasons Rat Terriers Shake So Much.
Ways To Discipline Rat Terriers.
