What does anyone do with a dog that runs off?

[silentcatastrophe]

I have probably asked this before.... Our pup (18 months) bolts and comes home only when he is good and ready. I have spoken to so many trainers and behaviourists about this, but am really no further forward. Do we simply have a delinquent dog? A behaviourist did come to the house, but frankly he was rubbish and told me to do what I was already doing, and provided categorically no insight whatsoever. This man is a member of reputable organisations, and I was really quite taken aback. One sheepdog trainer thought that we might have to resort to a collar of some sort, which I haven't done, because I don't want to worsen the situation. Next week we are off to see another sheepdog trainer, who uses a thing called The Natural Method.
When horror dog is on a line, he behaves really well, and like a normal dog. Off the lead, he just goes. He is not deaf, and to date, the pleasure he gets from racing around is infinitely greater than anything we can offer him.

I don't like keeping dogs on the lead one bit unless I have to. We have the problem that if he won't come back, he can't go off.

[misschenko]

No treats allowed in gundog training, when the trainer told me this I said my dog wouldn't do anything without being bribed with treats. So he took the dog and walked him and sat him and told him to stay and he did it all without a single treat, and not loads of praise either just the occasional quiet "good lad" and a few head strokes. I was completely and haven't given him any treats since, also toned down the praise as I think I used to overdo it and it didn't mean anything to him.

[silentcatastrophe]

Toby did run off today. Not for nearly as long as before, and he did stop before he got back to us. Not as quickly as I told him to, so hardly remote control! I think these techniques are for when you NEED the dog to behave. I feel a bit mean, thinking, No, actually, Toby, you are not ALLOWED to pull on the lead.

[frostyfingers]

I know this won't help you with Toby, but it may help with others who have younger dogs. We have only ever had gundogs so it may be that it wouldn't work with other types, but it could be worth a try.

I play hide and seek with ours when they are small - first at home and then out on walks. Obviously you need to have developed a bond with the dog, but essentially at random moments on a walk I used to duck down behind a bush or tree (be very careful where and when you do this if in a public place though!) and wait for the dog to find me. Once they have you give them lots of praise and carry on - it's a game, but it encourages them to keep an eye on you and not disappear over the horizon.

[misschenko]

My dog loves the hide and seek game and its great for recall. When we were confined to home/garden for the first 4 days of his gundog training I'd make him sit and stay and then hide in various places around the house and garden then blow the whistle to recall. When I was hiding in the wardrobe I could hear him sniffing round the room first really using his nose to find me.

[silentcatastrophe]

Toby is only just learning about hide and seek. Previously he was absolutely hopeless, and ran off. Today I took him out on a really skinny long long line wondering how soon it would take him to make a break for it. He ran off once for about 5 minutes, then came back when he noticed me and I changed direction. A second time, much closer to home, he bolted off into the wild blue yonder, and needless to say, got stuck.

I am not sure how to react when I see him stuck, so I decided to do as he does, and take no notice of him and walk away (for me, really to find the end of his line).

His running off seems less dramatic, and he comes back sooner. Are we moving along the right track?

[silentcatastrophe]

I think we may be turning a corner. I cannot believe we are round it yet, but we seem to be on it....

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

Just read your thread silent well done to you. I would say you are definitely on the right track. If you feel a little disheartened, just go back to the beginning of this thread and re read it.

[silentcatastrophe]

We are going to have another session with the trainer to make sure we are on the right tracks. I think we really should be doing agility or something with Toby. Or heelwork to music!!! Yay! We could listen to the Happy Hammond, and dance around in electric nylon!!!

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

some dogs just need to 'work' they enjoy it. I know that training our pup is what she loves to do, when she is older we will do agility.

My friend and breeder was dancing round my dining room singing to the dogs and they were twirling and weaving through her legs. I couldnt stop laughing.