game of run-away

[chadshan]

Boscer is a very well behaved boy.....in the house or on a leash. On several occasions, he has escaped the house via the front door being left open accidentally by one of our children. When this happens, he loses his mind.

It has turned into a game for him and he forgets everything he knows including come. He will run like mad up and down the street and get just close enough where I can grab him...then off again like greased lightning.

We have tried treats, bringing our other dog out etc. Everytime one thing works, he figures it our for the next time. Yesterday he finally listened to "down, stay" in our yard till I could grab him. He received lots of praise. He never gets scolded because that just makes it worse and he eventually comes.

My concern is someday he just won't return or worse will run in front of a car. I've taken him out to the front yard and trained him on "come" and he does perfect (controlled environment on a leash) How do you train to stay in the yard off leash if I try it, I know he'll be off the hook again.

Any suggestions as how best to curb this behavior would be appreciated.

 

[Roxie'sMommy]

If you are concerned you can always look into an invisible fence.

 

[AbbeyRoad]

I know this sounds silly and it isn't really training him not to escape, but in an emergency situation if you run the other way from him he will be more likely to chase you, even if back into the house. When you chase him he thinks it is a fun game, which is why he lets you get close just to run off again.

 

[JacksonBoy]

I agree with AbbeyRoad. Jackson has escaped once or twice before and we called his name and ran the other way. It is scary to do because you have to turn your back, but chances are he will think it's a game and run after you.

 

[EAO76]

I know this sounds silly and it isn't really training him not to escape, but in an emergency situation if you run the other way from him he will be more likely to chase you, even if back into the house. When you chase him he thinks it is a fun game, which is why he lets you get close just to run off again.

I agree with AbbeyRoad. Jackson has escaped once or twice before and we called his name and ran the other way. It is scary to do because you have to turn your back, but chances are he will think it's a game and run after you.

This was what I was going to suggest too (for emergency situations) but in the mean time you need to continue working on your recall. You need to make coming to you the most fun & rewarding thing he can imagine. You have to figure out what really “drives” him (the most fabulous treat he can imagine, a super fun game of tug, a cool squeaky toy he doesn’t usually have access to, etc, etc). Once you figure out what he REALLY enjoys make that the reward for coming back. Also (when you are training him) send him back out to play after you reward him & then call him again. This way coming to you won’t always mean the end of his exploring & fun. Take him places (where it is safe to be loose…tennis courts, a friend’s yard, softball field) and practice so that he learns in various locations.

And not to be a downer but one of the rescue boxers that I placed was a runner too. One day the family had a nephew over who left the door open and the dog went out. The boy chased the dog. The dog thought it was a game and ran right into traffic. It was a tragic ending. So make sure all the children in your house know not to chase him.