Wolves in the wild will cover a territory as large as 100 square miles. Fortunately, your Rottweiler will hopefully be content with a large back yard and plenty of exercise.
If your Rottweiler runs away it can be attributed to two primary reasons. Like his ancestors, the wolves, he may roam for hunting, scouting, exploration or sexual drive. The other reason is simply fear or danger. Whatever the reason, it is important to give your Rottweiler a safe and secure fenced in yard that he can not escape from. Chaining a Rottweiler or any dog is cruel and inhumane. Determine the reason for his roaming and attempt to correct this dangerous action.
Repoductive Drive
A breeze carring the enticing scent of a female in heat is simply too much for your intact male Rottie to handle. The sexual urge of a Rottweiler will cause wanderlust. It is almost impossible to determine this as the cause of wandering. If your Rottweiler is digging under your fence during breezy days or you have some other reason to believe this is the cause, then try to distract your Rottweiler's attention during these often short time cycles.
Predatory Drive
Rottweilers like many of the sporting breed dogs have very high prey drive. This dates back to their ancestors, the wolves. If small, fast moving and furry animals have your Rottweiler chasing them, than this is prey drive. It might be helpful to obstruct the view to areas that are too tempting for your Rotties drive.
Social Reasons
Are your neighbors feeding your Rottie through the fence? Do your Rottie's buddies live 3 streets down? Along with boredom; these are more common reasons for dog wandering.
Boredom
Another very common reason for the roaming Rottie is boredom. How large is your dog's back yard? How long do you leave your dog alone outside? Your NOT chaining your Rottie are you? Rottweilers are very intelligent dogs and unless you've built Fort Knox, they'll probably figure a way out. If this is the reason, try making your Rotties life a little more interesting by taking him places and giving him proper amounts of exercise.
Physical Rewards
Never forget your dog's powerful sense of smell. If your Rottie detects steaks on the grill several doors down he might just learn to jump your four foot fence on the first try.
Thunderstorms
Rottweilers are not known to be scared of thunderstorms as with some breeds. Nonetheless, your dog may acquire super human skills and jump through your screen, window or over a fence when a loud crack occurs. If your Rottie is easily startled by storms and you live in an area where storms are common, get your dog into a specific behavioral modification program that can help desensitize him.
Remedies...
Remember a roaming or wandering Rottweiler is very dangerous to his well being. You do NOT want your Rottie roaming the streets! Neuturing your Rottie is probably the simplest way to correct roaming but not a panacea nor an option for a show bred Rottie.
Securing your fenced-in yard is by far the best way to keep your dog in. Your fence should be six feet in height, well built and should obstruct the view (if possible) from any dangerous temptations. Your dog should not be able to easily dig his way out under the fence. Large boulders, trees or large stone gravel along the fence line will deter some of his escape attempts. Also, if a five year old is smart enough to open your gate, your Rottie probably can too. Puppies will generally have an easier time get through small cracks or under a rigidly built fence.