How do you stop a dog running off??

[silentcatastrophe]

Our pup is nearly 8 months old and runs off. Today he was away for over an hour. We are taking him to training and he's getting a recall, but not when there are other things to explore. My husband thinks it's ok just to tie him up all the time. I don't like that, and I don't think it solves the problem. Frankly I would be happy to electrocute this pup, but I am not sure my timing is good enough. I am livid with him.

Firstly you need to stop being cross with your pup. I totally understand why you're frustrated but if you seem angry when he returns to you (he will pick up on even subtle body language) he will be reluctant to come when you call him.

You need to practice his recall in a confined place because everytime he ignores you it reinforces the fact that he can ignore you. Leave his lead on while you're training so you can stand on it and prevent him running off and ignoring you. Always have tasty treats, big fusses and cuddles when he returns to you. You wont always have to do this but just until he's got a reliable recall. Once you've mastered recall in a room/garden/hall you can do some training outside. You could try getting a very long rope to attch to your dog's collar so that once you've called him (using "name come") you can bring him to you. Again, lots of fuss and cuddles. Once he reliably returns when called you can lose the rope.

I'd also reccommend you but the book called The Perfect Puppy - I couldn't have survived my dog's puppyhood without it!

Good luck

Just wanted to add - you say you're pup is having fun exploring. You need to make sure you are always more and exciting and interesting to return to than whatever it is he's doing. You also need to call him sometimes when it isn't time to go otherwise he learns that coming to you means home time. Just call him randomly for a treat/cuddle/game with his favourite toy, and then let him play again. It's all explained much more clearly in the book I mentioned.

Is he running off on a walk or from out the garden? Just a bit confused as to why tying him up all the time would be helpful.

He needs a secure garden and then he won't be able to run off or need to be tied up.

Thanks for your replies. I have never been cross with him for coming back, and when we go out, I have a host of toys and sweeties. My h does not see the need to fill the gaps in the fence if he can just tie the dog up. I think h is stupid about this. I work hard to try to make myself exciting for him to come back to, but it seems that I am failing miserably. He does get a lot of fuss and cuddles when he comes. I guess that I need to do more.

Can you not sort the gaps in the fence out even if its just with chicken wore/mesh and electric fence posts (push straight in the ground and twisttie the mesh on).

I think its cruel to tie a dog up all the time, it'll probably start barking like mad all the time if you do that. Does it live outside?

chicken wire

Don't chase him either,he'll run faster and think it's a game! Run in the opposite direction and call his name. Then reward with a treat. I find with my dog it has to be a good treat that she wouldn't normally have (cheese or chicken). Good luck.

We get cows in our garden sometimes, so it's not exactly animal-proof! I have persuaded H that it's a good idea to train pup, and we have just taken him out together. I do not like the idea of tying a dog up at all. He does not live outside. I think that training is the solution.

I guess training would work. I used to live on a farm and my boyfriend had 2 dogs that used to live outside in the yard. They never wondered off.

What type of dog is it?

It would make your life much less stressful if your garden was enclosed. I would personally recommend doing this asap.

Re recall! I would have the puppy on a long lead and not yet let him off the lead until his recall is reliable. Always use the same command (you may find a whistle eaiser as it is hard to keep your voice all cheery and happy if you are frustrated with the running off) Call slightly pull the long line and run away from the dog when he comes to you either play or treat depending on the best reward for your dog.

You will have to do this for several months but it will be worth it.

Also 8 months is about the start of the dreaded teenage phase so things may get a bit challenging for a while but it will pass.

Thank you! When we are out, he is on a lunge line. I guess I have been a bit too optimistic about letting him run around on his own. He's a border collie, nearly 8 months, and he's been with us for about 6 weeks. It's still early days. Yes, he's getting his hairy bits and his voice is breaking!

I go to a dog club where we do recall training as part of general obedience training and our golden rule is Do Not let your dog off the lead in public until you are absolutely sure it will obey your recall.

You need a hell of a lot of training hun. Find a good school and stay there, really. Dogs are like kids. Some are good or clever, some are naughty or incredibly thick! SOunds like you've got the thick variety but don't worry, they all get there in the end. Good luck!

I have a border collie pup he is about 16 weeks! We had him from very little though so recall ok at the moment. I think it is probably the terrible teenagers kicking in. So for the next few weeeks you have to be firm but fair. Only ask for behaviours he can do but make sure that he can and does do them. Do not be cruel or make him do them just that doing them is the best thing in the world.

Does he like tuggies - most collies do. SO get him playing tuggy and call it tuggy. Then when out on walks call his name and yell tuggy and run away from him. Most collies will be after you like a shot!

A good trainer is great to hand hold you through those trying times though and reassure you that you are doing the right thing

We take him to classes, and we are doing training at home. We have 2 older dogs who behave well. We take them out and about several times a day and the pup on his own. He loves playing tug, and he likes his treats. I have filled a large gap in the fence so he can't just rush out. Thank you for emphasising that it is ok to keep a dog on a lead until it has proper recall. It is 10 years since we were doing the same with the other dogs!

Oh you definitely need to secure your garden - I can't believe you haven't actually.

Our Borders would go frigging nuts if they were tied up all day.

I don't think any dog breed is immune to the 'thick' mode.

Similarly with humans.

I'm not sure how a quick-learning dog with selective hearing could be described as thick. I think any dog would go potty if they were tied up all day!