There are so many sad stories about dogs that have run off when they weren’t wearing a leash. You hear stories from frustrated owners all the time who say their dog got away because he wasn’t wearing a leash. How can you stop this problem?
There are possibly two problems here. One problem is bolting. This usually occurs when you open the door for some reason and your dog seizes the opportunity to take off. Of course your dog isn’t wearing his leash because he’s been hanging out in the house. So you’re left to run after him and pray that he doesn’t get hit by a car before you can catch him.
The other problem is that your dog doesn’t respond to you and come when you call him.
Let’s take one problem at a time.
If you have a dog who bolts then you know how frustrating it can be. Your dog is probably not trustworthy around the door at any time. Anytime someone goes in or out your dog may be standing there, ready to slip through. There are a couple of ways to approach this problem but the best way is to teach your dog some door manners.
Teaching your dog door manners means that you should teach your dog to sit when he goes to the door. Whether someone knocks on the door or you are planning to exit through the door, if your dog goes to the door he should sit and stay there until you release him.
To learn door manners your dog will need to already know how to sit when you ask him and he should know the stay command. You can have someone knock on the door or ring the bell. As soon as your dog heads to the door you should tell him to sit. He may be too excited to sit, in which case you should start over. As soon as your dog sits you should praise and reward him. Even if he only sits for a moment you should make a big deal about it and give him lots of praise. As you open the door to let the other person in you should give him the stay command. This is a big step! Keep praising your dog for every second he remains sitting. Then close the door and give your dog a big reward.
It will take many repeats to get this lesson through to your dog. Gradually you will be opening the door in a normal way and counting on your dog to remain sitting while you do so. You will also need to practice going in and out the door yourself. Go through the same routine. Tell your dog to sit and stay when he’s at the door. You can release him just before you close the door. Then come back in and give him lots of praise and rewards.
If you keep doing this for a while your dog will get better about his door manners and will stop trying to bolt through the door when you’re not watching.
As far as not coming when called, you can take care of that by teaching your dog to come. Your dog should be wearing a flat buckle collar. You need a long lead (20 -30 feet). You can start with your dog in a sitting or lying down position. Say his name and tell him to come to you. Then, give a tug on the lead and pull him in to you. Give him lots of praise and rewards. Practice this until your dog starts getting the hang of it. You will need to practice in an enclosed area, especially when you start practicing off-lead. Later you can practice in a friend’s enclosed yard and other safe places. That way your dog will be facing more distractions but he will still be safe if he doesn’t come to you. Eventually your dog should be coming to you very quickly as soon as you tell him to come.
Does this article help? Give me your comments below.
Until next time…..
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Very important for every owner to know. Very well worded
Thanks Larry. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Just to add to what Wayne has said. When someone knocks at the door, as you open the door let them know your dog is in training and don’t make eye contact or talk to the dog until it is calm. If a stranger walks in and gives attention, the dogs get excited and make mistakes. I have found ignoring a strange dog has a calming effect.
As far as the “come” command, most people call there dogs when its time to go inside. To a dog, this can seem like punishment. I call my dogs 20 -30 times a day and praise them every time. Then I give my release command and they can carry on with what they were doing. When a situation comes up where I really need them to come for their safety, they do.
I find the “stay” command a very important part of dog training, and there are many “stay” exercises to make it fun in teaching your dog! I have also found that if you praise a dog during the stay command, it can sometimes cause the dog to release from the “stay” position. It is equally important to stand side ways at the door in order to keep the dog in your view,re-enforce the command if needed,and your body between the door and the dog to maintain control! I only say “good boy” after I am ready to release the dog from a stay command! When my guest enters the home,and after the dog sniffs and perhaps walks away,then the guest can pet or greet the dog! After all,it’s me the guest came to see first!
Thanks Steve and Jim for your helpful comments.
Thanks so much for helping me! My dog will benefit and so will I! She also jumps on guests when they come in, I’ll definitely use both suggestions to make her an even more perfect companion!
Sometime when you are trying to get your puppy to come and they are excited about being free, they may think you are playing a game and run away from you, you know, the little but scoot run that they do in circles. Very cute, but not when you are asking them to come. There is a little game I like to play with puppies that helps alter this situation from happening. When my dog was younger I used to let her get far enought away and then call her name and run in the opposite direction. She would love to chase after me and when she got to me I would praise her and reward her. Even still at the age of 10, if I start running away from her at the park, she will try to catch me.
My problem with my dog is he knows how to come and does it great but when he sees other people and especially dogs he runs to be near them and then won’t come back until I catch him or the other owner does. I live on a path and it’s vry hard to have him off his leash. My dog doesn’t roam around only when he sees another person or dog. How do I stop him from doing that? or How do I get him to come in that situation?
Rachel:
You need the help of a good trainer to help teach your dog the “Recall” exercise. (come when called) If you are in the Nashville area give me a call. If not find a good trainer in your area.
Wayne Booth
Canine Behavior Specialists
615-776-9663
Thanks but I’m in Minnesota but I will look for a good trainer.
My wee foxie is a shocker at not coming if he thinks he’s been short changed on a walk. Food helps - he’d sell his soul for a scrap of luncheon. I’ve found two things help.
1) he’s now old enough to join me jogging and after a couple of km on the lead and a couple more off while in the park & on the beach he’s more than happy to go home.
2) he’s learnt what “bye” means and he doesn’t want to get left behind. So if he won’t come to “come” he’ll come if I walk away and say “bye”.
Hardly well trained but the orthodox techniques are also being used.
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