please help!!

[Bordbetty]

Can someone please help me, I love my dear boxer VERY much but he has one major problem! I had adopted my two year old, male about a year ago. When I first had him I could take him outside with me and he would stay right by me, even without a leash, and come when called, now whenever I let him outside he takes off, so I bought a 26' leash that extends whenever we go outside, and for walks (which we take everyday, for about an hour). Everyone in the family plays with him, and I am with him for about 20 hours out of 24. What I don't understand is sometimes the door gets left open by visitors by accident, and sometimes it seems that it just opens on it's own by the wind or what not, but whenever it does my baby goes running out and takes off. And no one can catch him, trust me we've tried, until he comes back on his own. The problem is we live on a very busy road, I have been very lucky that nothing has happened so far, but it scares me to death what could, and most likely will if this keeps happening. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do, I would be SO grateful. This can't keep going on.
Also, everytime he does come back I am happy and don't get mad, but should I punish him?? or will that just make him not want to come back??
thanks again!:confused: :confused: :confused:

 

[leenasmom]

You definatly shouldn't punish him in any way when he comes back or you will be teaching him that he is bad for coming home.

I would get a deadbolt put in your door, if you don't have one. Lock it back everytime you close your door.

Good luck.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I have been working on this issue with my two dogs. I don't want them bolting out the door every time it is opened and I am teaching them the proper way to behave when the door is opened.

First off, I have them sit/stay before I open the door. If they break sit/stay before they are released, I close the door immediately and they have no chance to get out at all, with or without good behavior. Then we try again.

When they are sitting and staying when the door is open, I venture out of the door and tell them to stay. (I have their collars on so I can quickly grab them if they decide to bolt.) I move a few steps away from the door with the door open and then back inside. Each time we work, I venture a little further outside and they must remain in a sit stay.

Sometimes now, after they've learned to sit/stay well when I open the door, I release them to the top of the stairs and let them sit/stay there.

Today, for instance, I made them sit/stay, opened the door and released them to the top of the stairs. There, they automaticaly sat. I issued a "stay" command and proceeded down stairs to the parking lot and across it to the garbage dumpster with my bag of garbage. I was so proud of them. They broke sit, but they did stay. They stood and watched me all the way to the dumpster and back and did not move from the top of the stairs.

Of course, when I got back upstairs, they got big hugs and lots of praise and a BIG BISCUIT for being such good girls.

My advice is to take it one tiny step at a time. Keep the 6' lead on him when the door is open if you need to keep him under control better than just a collar. Start simply by just having him sit/stay and opening and closing the door. Stand between the dog and the door so you can block his exit if he tries to bolt.

Good luck and keep us posted.