From Roaming Rescue to Reliable Companion: How Luna Learned to Stay Home

When Sarah contacted us about Luna, her 2-year-old Border Collie mix, the situation was desperate. Auckland Council had issued a final warning after the fourth roaming complaint in two months. One more incident, and Luna would be classified as a menacing dog, requiring muzzling in public and potentially facing destruction.

The Problem

Luna was a smart, high-energy dog with zero impulse control. She would:

• Bolt through doors the moment they opened
• Jump the 1.2-meter fence when left in the yard
• Ignore all recalls when off-property
• Follow children walking to school (alarming parents)
• Approach other dogs regardless of their reactions

Sarah had tried treats, toys, and even an expensive invisible fence system. Nothing worked. Luna's drive to explore exceeded any motivation to stay home.

The Root Causes

After assessment, we identified multiple contributing factors:

Insufficient exercise: Luna got one 20-minute walk daily. As a herding breed mix, she needed 90+ minutes of physical and mental stimulation.

No impulse control training: Luna had never learned to resist immediate impulses.

Environmental enrichment was zero: Home was boring. Outside was exciting. Easy choice.

Weak relationship: Sarah provided food and shelter but hadn't built herself as a reinforcer. Luna had no reason to stay with her.

The Training Protocol

Phase 1: Management (Week 1)

First, we stopped the roaming completely through management:

• Added 60cm fence extensions to prevent jumping
• Installed self-closing gates
• Created "airlock" system: Luna behind baby gate before any door opens
• Kept Luna on long-line (15 meters) during yard time

This prevented practice of roaming behavior while we built alternatives.

Phase 2: Building Value in Owner (Weeks 2-4)

We needed Luna to view Sarah as the most interesting thing in her world:

Hand-feeding: Every meal came from Sarah's hand, earned through training

Engagement training: 10-minute sessions, 4x daily, building eye contact and attention

All good things from Sarah: Walks, play, food, toys - everything came through her

Phase 3: Impulse Control (Weeks 3-6)

We taught Luna that waiting and self-control are the keys to getting what she wants:

Door manners: Sit-stay before any door opens. Door closes if Luna breaks. Took 200+ repetitions.

Place training: Luna learned to go to her mat and stay there, building up to 30-minute durations

Leave-it command: Started with low-value items, built to high distractions

Phase 4: Recall Proofing (Weeks 5-10)

This was critical. If Luna escaped, we needed reliable recall:

• Week 5-6: Long-line recall in backyard, massive rewards
• Week 7: Recalls at quiet parks with mild distractions
• Week 8-9: Recalls with other dogs as distractions (controlled setups)
• Week 10: Recalls in high-distraction environments

Every recall ended with a party: multiple treats, enthusiastic praise, play session. We made Luna WANT to come back.

Phase 5: Environmental Enrichment

We made home more interesting than the outside world:

• Increased daily exercise to 90 minutes (including off-leash time at fenced dog parks)
• Added puzzle feeders and scent games
• Introduced flirt pole and fetch sessions
• Created backyard agility course
• Enrolled in nose work classes

A tired, mentally satisfied dog has far less motivation to roam.

The Results

After 12 weeks of consistent work:

• Zero roaming incidents (now 14 months and counting)
• Luna waits calmly at all doors and gates
• Reliable recall even with major distractions
• Menacing dog classification removed from council records
• Sarah and Luna compete in local dog sports
• Luna earned her Canine Good Citizen certification

I was preparing to surrender Luna. I couldn't live with the stress and the council pressure. The transformation has been incredible. She's still high-energy, but now that energy is directed into training and activities rather than escaping. Our bond is stronger than I imagined possible. - Sarah, Mt Eden

Key Takeaways

Luna's case demonstrates several critical principles:

1. Behavior problems are usually multi-factorial. Luna needed management, training, enrichment, AND relationship building.

2. Management prevents practice. While training happens, prevent the unwanted behavior entirely.

3. Build yourself as the reinforcer. Your dog should view you as the gateway to everything good.

4. Address the underlying needs. Luna roamed because home was boring and she was understimulated.

5. Systematic training works. We didn't hope for improvement - we built it step by step.

If your dog has roaming issues, know that with the right approach, massive improvement is possible. Luna was days from being declared menacing. Now she's a certified Good Citizen. Your dog can have a similar transformation.