Skip to main content

Viral video: One hilarious way to keep dogs from running away

Dog running away? A fenced in yard for dogs has nothing on this genius hack to keep your pup safe

Unless your dog is a brachycephalic breed (bulldog parents, we’re looking at you), they probably spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer months. As long as you’ve escape-proofed your fence and made sure to use lawn care and garden products that are safe for our four-legged friends (and as long as you make sure your dog doesn’t overheat), what could go wrong?

Well, dogs are curious. They’re going to sniff every inch of your yard, looking for their very own Narnia to explore. Unfortunately, instead of finding a magical land through that hole in your fence, they’re more likely to find a busy street full of cars. We’re sure they don’t mean to do it, but dogs running away is a real problem and even if you’ve got a fenced-in yard for dogs, your pup still might not be safe.

Related Videos

So what’s a pet parent to do? Well, one creative dog parent went straight to the kitchen to get… a spatula?

That’s right, one genius Redditor proved you don’t have to spend tons of money installing a new fence when your pup can fit through cracks and crevices in your fenced-in yard; you just have to pick up a kitchen utensil at the dollar store. (Really, you don’t even have to do that. Just grab a spatula that’s seen better days and which you probably should replace anyway.)

Attach it to your dog’s vest and voila —an escape-proof harness for your dog that you DIYed.

Personally, we can’t stop watching this video — this little pup is so determined to get out and see the world, but just can’t seem to make it. They push, they twirl, they try (and fail) to grab the spatula, and then they just start trying to push through the fence by sheer force once again.

Similarly, Redditors were charmed by the persistent pup. Key-Abbreviations961 noted, “This dog keeps trying the same thing and expecting different results.”

Some noted that this was the definition of insanity, while others pointed out that this is actually how the scientific process works — can you achieve the same results over and over again, or were your results a fluke?

And, as ContemplatingPrison pointed out, “At least [the dog] was smart enough to try and get the spatula off.”

For the most part though, the internet just marveled at the simplicity of the solution. TheLobst3r said a “spatula is cheaper than changing the whole fence” while ThreeNC noted, “I would have overengineered it: coated chicken wire, black zip ties, set at about a foot tall all around the yard. It’s solved with a $2 utensil.”

Others pointed out flaws in the plan. TechInventor queried how long it would take the pups to team up to pull out the spatula, but VivaciiousValkyriie responded, “As long as the owners don’t send the dogs out alone and keep an eye on them, it should be fine. They can grab the dog if another disables the escape prevention device.”

Redditor zowie2412 recommended supergluing the spatula to the vest, while vbevan offered up the idea of cable ties.

And LarennElizabeth noted that the solution only needs to be temporary: “Hopefully, she won’t be a puppy anymore by the time she figures it out… she’s definitely [going to] get more stocky and [probably] won’t be able to fit for long.”

Regardless, it’s definitely one of the most inexpensive solutions we’ve seen to keep dogs from running away — and it makes for hilarious viewing, too.

Editors' Recommendations

Why you shouldn’t feed your dogs trail mix
3 reasons why dogs can't eat trail mix or their common ingredients
A Yorkshire terrier licks their lips and looks into the camera

At first glance, trail mix might look like a healthy snack for everyone in your home. It has a little sugar, some healthy fats, and a small number of carbohydrates to keep you going throughout the day. Sounds great, right?
Although people can eat as much trail mix as they please, the same isn't true for our canine friends. There are many ingredients in this popular combo that aren't safe for dogs to eat. Let's go over a few of the reasons why as we answer some of the most common questions:

Can dogs eat raisins?
Why can't dogs eat trail mix?
Which nuts are safe for dogs to eat?

Read more
Being a cat person will help you get dates: Study
You'll be glad you have a feline or a Fido after you read this
Person wearing a wedding ring holds cat in hands

All pet parents understand that our fur babies come first, even if that sometimes means scaring away potential mates. Still what many don't realize is that owning a pet can actually attract a person to you (and your beloved animal). It's officially time to retire the stereotype that having a cat means saying goodbye to meeting a special human someone. In fact, recent research claims the opposite — that being a cat person may actually make you more likely to score a relationship or a good date.

It's official: there are romantic benefits to owning a cat
Luckily for us, new research conducted by OnePoll for World’s Best Cat Litter of 1,000 cat owners (and 1,000 non-cat owners) has discovered that kitty moms and dads are actually more likely to be in a relationship and equally likely to be married. But if you're in the dating market, there's even better news. 72% of everyone surveyed thought owning a pet was an attractive quality, and many stated they would be more interested in dating someone who had one. To top it off, 40% claimed they had gone home with a potential date to meet a particularly cute pet at one time or another, so your little kitty might help you out in that department too.
Cat people will still scare away a few dates (good riddance)
On the flip side, we all understand there are some drawbacks to living with a pet, mainly that some won't be able to enter into a partnership with us (and our fuzzball) no matter how much they might want to. Research participants were very cognizant of allergies in particular, with 41% saying it would pose a potential problem. That's just slightly more than the number who mentioned a dislike of cats would not stop them from dating someone (40%). It's important to note that hating cats mostly crossed the line, and cat people generally do not want to date those who don't understand their kitties.
Pets are part of the family for many
Every cat person knows that our pets are important to us and equivalent to family. “Even if you’re not the type to treat your pets like they’re your children, they’re still an important part of the family and can wield a lot of influence,” says Jean Broders, Director of Marketing for World’s Best Cat Litter, in a statement. “Cat owners clearly seem to know this, as our findings indicate they’re more likely to worry about making a good first impression on a partner’s pet.”

Read more
5 safe and fun adventures you can plan with your small dog
Your small dog can do just as much as a big one if you follow these tips
Cute small dog stands in front of a blurred background

As a small dog owner, you might gaze longingly at the humans who can play endless games of fetch with their shepherds and go for 5-hour walks accompanied by their collies. But you can have all sorts of good times with your little guy. Don't let their size stop you from planning outings together. While, of course, you'll need to work within your beastie's physical constraints, there are lots of things you can do while accommodating their diminutive size.

Hang at the dog park
This is the pastime of many dogs, both large and small. Don't stay away from the park just because your bud can't race around for hours on end. Many parks now specifically set aside sections for small breeds. Take your pup there to find friends of a similar size. If you want to foray into the big dog section (or there isn't an area available for your pup), you can always ask the group if the dogs in there are friendly to their little cousins.
Go for hikes
While it might take a little preparation (and possibly a dog sling), your tiny Fido can enjoy hiking, too. You should work up to this by doing a little bit more each day or each week until they're ready to strike out for a longer adventure. Also, be sure to prep with necessary accouterments, such as water, treats, possibly a dog carrier, and mushers wax if it's winter.
Travel together
One of the biggest benefits of having a little dog is they can go on planes and trains. If your pooch seems to enjoy exploring new places, take them with you on vacation. The fees to travel by air can be a little high and there are some rules (you need them to lie down quietly under the seat for the duration of the flight). But for many doggies, they prefer the flight to staying behind with a sitter.

Read more