Dog training advice please

[bronze]

We have a rescue dog. A GSDX, beautiful thing, soft with the kids but came to us with lots of problems. We have sorted most of them though my dining room chairs will never look the same again. The only think we haven't managed to sort is that she bolts. We did secure our garden, or so we thought. 6 foot high fences but she will do anything to get out and does. Jumping if she has to.
We're struggling (read given up) trying to train her out of it as we can't practise recall or anything as shes off. She's well behaved on the lead though a bit scared of other dogs. Shes actually fine with them off the lead but of course we can't let that happen. We walk her (obviously) on an extending lead and take her out regularly into the garden to toilet

Basically is there any way we can train her to not bolt? It would make our lives so much easier as at the moment its a constant reminder to shut the door for th kids, more noticeable for me at the moment as theyre out in the garden a lot.
Last year she ran all the way to the main road and I just just heard the brakes as a lorry skidded to a stop. Obviously I'm scared that her behaviour could have more knock on than just her being hit by a lorry.
I would love to practise recall but we just have nowhere secure enough to risk it. An old prison would be good.
Its rare that she gets out but it happens once in a while and it would make everyones lives, especially hers, better if we could sort this

I'm training recall using a long rope, a clicker, hotdogs and my gated back alley.

We are also practising down/stay in the house using clicker and hotdogs.

My dog is a mere terrier so is easier to reel in with the rope if he starts pestering people who are putting out/getting in bins.

I have ordered a 30ft tracking leash in order to prevent more rope burns to my hands.

See I thought of trying that but shes brilliantly behaved as soon as shes clipped on even at a distance and comes back when called then so I'm not sure if it would make any difference.

Shes about 5 btw if that makes any difference in any way

Are there any training schools near you? They just might have somewhere enclosed you could practise.

I suspect they would charge. Money is very tight at the moment. I'll have a think around, might be able to use the tennis courts on the rec. if I can make sure she doesnt damage it

As a very, very last resort an electric collar is worth a try. It's not as bad as it sounds, usually you only have to use it once and it is quite often successful on first application. Do enquire about borrowing one first though, they're a bit expensive and you'll probably only use it once.

Electri collars are now illiegal in Wales and Scotland and should never ever ever be used.

If you think it is not as bad as it sounds put it on your wrist and get someone to operate it.

As a dog behaviourist I would not recommend using an electric collar. On an already nervous dog it will make thinhgs 100% worse.

If you can not afford the advice of a behaviourist (although it may be a long term investment).

I am assuming a lot here and without seeing the dog do not feel entirely happy giving advice but usually a dog that bolts is an anxious dog. If a dog runs it releases endorphins with makes it feel happier and less anxious. Hence the need to bolt when it gets the chance.

So I think you need to aproach this from many angles.

GSD are highly intelligent dogs and need things to do. So up the general training. Use a clicker and train tricks, a good stay, a good sit, wait, leave it, watch me, find, retrieve, drop etc. (Mary Rays book Called Dog Tricks is a great book telling you how to do tricks using a clicker).

By keeping the dog busy the anxiety levels will drop.

Back to the recall. Put the dog in another room in the house and prepare the dogs meals. Get a dog whistle (Acme 2.11) and blow the whistle 3 times and open the door to let the dog have the meal. DO this at every meal time and soon the whistle will mean great things happen.

After a few days put the dog in another room and again blow the whistle three times and give a treat.

Next let someone hold the dog in the garden and then blow the whistle while you are inside they should release the dog and hopefully come to you.

If at any stage the dog does not come instantly go back a stage.
After a while you will be able to build up bigger distractions in the house. eg the person in the garden holding the dog has a sausage but the dog will come to you who blows the whistle.

Only when the recall is solid try at the park etc but at this point do so on a long lease. This however will take a while to get to.

All the time you are doing this you need to be training like mad 4 or 5 times a day minimum for a few minutes each time. This will help to build the dogs confidence and bring down the anxiety and the need to run will be less.

The more exercise you can give the better -have you thought about joining an agility class or maybe booking swimming sessions. All of this will help to make the dog more confident and less likely to run.

Dog training classes are usually pretty cheap and it would give you the chance to practice recall in a secure environment. If you don't practice it you will never have a dog that recalls.

This is not something that will change overnight and will need a lot of dedication and time on your behalf
Good luck

Good to know we're on the right route
clicker training indoors etc

"Next let someone hold the dog in the garden and then blow the whistle while you are inside they should release the dog and hopefully come to you."

I just don't dare tbh. If she just bolts my life becomes a hell of trying to get her back before she gets hit by a lorry

Have her on a long training line 50ft if needed. You have to be able to build up the recall or she will never learn it BUT go gradually to get to this stage. It may take months but will be worth it.

You are training for success not failure so only do things that she will get right. Small steps at a time and a lot of patience is all that is needed for dog training!

If she continues to bolt you will have to make sure your garden is bolt proof I am afraid no other option.

Do not think this is an impossible task to retrain it is not, but will take time and committment on your behalf. Build up the recall inside - go to traiing classes and build up the recall in a class with distractions (and no opportunity to bolt) then go to an enclosed field etc (Most dog trainers now of secure enclosed spaces where you can practice) But you are way of this stage yet.

thanks
will report back in a year
she has come so far already and is such an intelligent dog it makes you wonder what her life was like before for her to be like she is

You sound as if you have done wonders for her - she is a lucky girl.

I agree it is heartbreaking to see so many problems that dogs have because of humans actions to them - sometimes intentional and sometimes just from ignorance.

I am glad that the future is brighter for her