Escaping the Yard

What are your options for a dog that is an escape artist and can get out of any yard? Do you think an Xpen would work for a dog like this, or is the only option to keep them crated inside the house while you are gone?

Huuuum

I have heard that underground wire works well.
We keep our dogs all in their kennels inside while we are working.
It is a routine for them. They get out in the morning while we are getting ready for work, then when we need to leave, they get a snackie, when we get home they are out of their kennels until bedtime, then back in kennels. But our fence is all block and we are on 3/4 of an acre so there is plenty of room for them to roam. They haven't tried escaping ... yet.

Our neighbors have put in this "invisible fence" for their dog, and it works very well. The dog knows where she cannot go and never attempts to cross those lines. She runs in the yard freely but always stops and turns around when she gets close to the fence.

I would try tyhe invisible fence as well. Dogs tend to love to run and no fence up may take away the desire to get oput from them.

Figure out where and how you're dog is getting out and then dog-proof it, if possible. Years ago, we have a beagle who was a digger. She got out all the time. The solution was to make the digging impossible via cement blocks or other obstacles. Many years later, I had a beagle who was the total opposite -- instead of digging, she was a jumper, and boy, could she jump high. The solution there was to make sure there was absolutely nothing by the fence that she could jump up on. We had to pull everything back and make sure it was several feet away from the fence.

I know typically dogs that seem to be able to get out of anywhere are usually dealing with fences that are too short or do not extend into the ground. (Obviously there are other ways too) if that is what you are dealing with though then an Xpen may actually not be a bad idea. Crating them all day I would use as a last resort if it is use to being outside but I say do what you have to do to make sure he's safe when you are gone even if that means crating him.