escape artist

[sandy's mom]

I am stuck. Napoleon (11 mths) runs all over the neighborhoos when he gets out. He will not come at all. He has escaped several times either out from the gate in the back yard or he will try to push you down to get out the front door. We never let him out intentionally. It is a game to him so when he gets loose he just runs and runs. He will run at you and then turn and run away.

As long as he is on a leash, he will come and listen very well. He has had basic obedience, so he knows not to do this, but when he is "free" he takes full advantage of it. I am afraid he will be hit by a car or something if I can't put a stop to this. It is very nerve wrecking.

Someone told me to get him close to the front door, open it slightly, let him go close to it and slam it in his face.

If anyone has any suggestions, please help me.

Thanks in advance,
Debbie

 

[mancin]

Someone told me to get him close to the front door, open it slightly, let him go close to it and slam it in his face.

Well definitely don't do that. That's not going to teach him anything. You just need to work on the recall command when he's not on his leash. Go outside w/ him in the back yard, or even do this around the house. When he's not paying attention to you, call him to you. Have a yummy treat in your hand and show it to him so that he will come to you. Praise like crazy when he does come to you. You have to make him WANT to come to you. You have to be more exciting than anything else he can do when he's "free".
This is going to take a lot of time and patience on your part. Personally, I think this is one of the hardest commands to master, especially with distractions. Start out calling him to you when he's not distracted. Once he comes to you 100% of the time that way, add some distractions... some noise, another person, another dog, etc. Slowly increase the distractions until you can get him to come to you 100% of the time.
If can escape out through the fence, don't leave him outside unsupervised. If he tries to push you over when you go out the door, put him in a crate or in another room before you leave. You don't want to allow him to get out.
Also, never chase after him if he's loose. He will definitely think this is a game. Try anything you can to get his attention, ie. a tasty treat, jump up and down, etc. and then call him to you. I've also heard some people say if they turn around and walk away from the dog, the dog will start to come after them (although this is really hard to do if the dog is in danger).
Do a search on "recall" and I'm sure you will find a lot of other information.

 

[sandy's mom]

We have fixed the fence problem. He can no longer escape unless the gate is left open. That is what happened last night. The gate wasn't closed well and he pushed and ran. When he runs, he doesn't look back.

He comes really good in the house and in the backyard. He never knows when I will have a treat in my hand. Sometimes he just don't care. We work constantly on recall.

One time my neighbor's son chased him when he got out, I really think that is why he thinks it is a game. The boy was chasing and yelling at him as he ran. Last night, when he finally came home, we gave him a treat for comming home. I later thought I may be giving the wrong signal. Maybe he thought I was treating him for running.
(hope not).

Thank you, we will keep trying!

 

[razzberet99]

My boxer, Andie, did the same thing. Excellent dog but when she "got" out - she would not come home until she was ready. I tried everything...treats, food, car trips, etc....
I have a new puppy now. I make Alex sit down before I open the front door and she has only "escaped" once....this seems to help prevent her from bolting out the front door. I have a lock on my back gate to prevent it from coming open.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[Jan]

[QUOTE Last night, when he finally came home, we gave him a treat for comming home. I later thought I may be giving the wrong signal. Maybe he thought I was treating him for running.
(hope not). QUOTE]

No you did the right thing. You must always treat for recalls at least until he comes 95% of the time. In fact he really shouldn't be allowed off leash until he come 95% of the time. They should be the best yummiest treats that he doesn't get any other time.

You could try restrained recalls where someone holds on to Napoleon. Hold the end of a long leash (20 ft), show him the yummy treat and back away. Talk to him and get him excited. Don't say come or his name until you get to the end of the leash. Then call him by saying Napolieon Come! If he doesn't immediately come run backwards away from him. When he does that readily you start adding distractions. Have someone throw a ball or a favorite toy. Keep working at it until he will come no matter the distraction.

Good luck!

 

[Jade010103]

My last dog (an australian shep mix) did the exact same thing her entire 11 years of life, it got soooo frustrating I didn't know what to do. Eventually I figured out the reason she probably didn't come to me was 1st it was a game to be chased around the neighborhood (because that's what I did many many times) and 2nd because when she did she could tell I was mad when she did come back. The last few years of her life I would have to go out of sight and have my husband call her home. I learned the hard way with her so my babies now have been taught much better that it's not ok to go running and when they do I just call them back and praise them for returning. I'd definately fix the problem now before it gets too out of control like it did with me. You just have to not chase and not be mad when they return. Good luck I know it's a hard one to fix.