Tips on how to control my dog off the lead!

[mascallulu]

well, i have a fox terrier named rossi.
it would be great to let him off the lead when we are out walking, but there is no possible way we can because he always runs off and never comes back , unless someone catches him and rings us to pick him up. Is it his instinct to hunt or is he just being naughty?
when he was a pup he was a diamond off the lead but when hit the age of 2 he started to run off. is it because it is his instinct to hunt foxes?? if so any tips on how to train him to come back when called?! i have posted this because rossi is getting very boisterous towards other dogs that are off the lead. jealous of them! and it would be very nice to let him have a little free space when out walking.

[Milliesmum]

Have you ever done any training classes with him? I found this very helpful, my dog learnt a few manners, got socialised with other dogs, and learnt that I had a bumbag full of dog treats so it was worth her while coming back to me! She learnt things like sit, down, wait etc, but also we practiced proper recalls and distance control. If you ring your local council dog warden, they should be able to tell you of any classes in your area.

[mascallulu]

thank you! i give them a ring and see what happens! thanks again!

[lucynlizzysmum]

Lots of work - but rewarding work!!! What age is your dog? They can be so frustrating when they bog off I have a friend Gill White who is a very experienced dog trainer/behaviourist and has a website called www.takingthelead.co.uk - you could try that.

I have a JRT who's recall is fairly c**p but has improved with age and work, we used a technique called longlining, and a football - but if there are rabbits its usually a losing battle

[mascallulu]

Rossi is 5 . hmmm...longlinging sounds interesting! we have tried all we could but kept loosing the fight! since we just kept him on the lead, but he got very vicious towards other dogs, we finally decided something must be done! thanks ill check out her site!

[lucynlizzysmum]

Good luck - long lining is a great training tool. Unfortunately dogs which are always on a lead tend to be more aggressive to others - probably coz they cannot run away if they need to

Best of luck - I have some stuff stored somewhere on improving recall - pm me if you want it and i will try to find it.

[mascallulu]

thanks alot i'll bear it in mind!
thanks again!

[chocoholic]

You could try having some treats with you, and then giving them everytime Rossi comes back whilst on the extending lead. Terriers tend to do anything for food.

Good luck

[mascallulu]

i noticed everythime i open the biscuit tin he comes running for something!

[chocoholic]

Just another thought, has Rossi been castrated?

[mascallulu]

Unfortunately not, but he will be shortly! May that be a reason why he does it? For attention from bit*hes?

[chocoholic]

Castration would certainly be the advice any vet/behavioral expert would give. This not only helps prevent the dog wondering off, but also prevents any health problems later on in life. Should also stop any aggression/dominance issues. Buy a book called the dog whisperer by Jan Fennell in the meantime, and also consider clicker training.

[mandymoo]

my lab has his balls he walks to heal, no lead, no collar, and won't run off, balls aren't always the answer, the first thing it to make sure they no who the top dog in the house is, if they rule the house he will always do it. dogs are pack animals, they need a leader that is you. start by making him walk to heal (and when he thinks he can run off with the lead on boot him up the bum), then slowly let him off first some where u know he won't get out of, try playing ball some thing he has to hunt bring back and be praised for doing so. worked a treat for my gun dogs.

[evensong]

i could never let my dog off the lead (( hes an english bull terrier )) because he runs after cars and after other dogs !
ant tips on how to keep him under control whilst on the lead ?

[mandymoo]

Foe evensong, Always use a choker lead help with the pulling as they feel like there strangling them selves, and don't hold the lead at the handle hold half way down and use the handle to tap there nose eveytime the start to walk a head of you, works with mine as they can see it dangling and done what a quick one round nose.

[mascallulu]

some interesting ideas i will definately consider them!

[squidgetmidget]

www.dogstrust.org.uk/VirtualContent/107066/63_comewhencalled.pdf

go to this link!! it will explain exactly what to do. i am a vet nurse and this is the advice we give to our clients!! xxx

[mistymum]

Which is all very well but mine knows the minute the long line has gone. When wearing it he is Mr. Perfect. Comes to call , sits, waits, does anything. The minute the line is unclipped he is off. Have given up letting him off as I'm getting to old for 4 miles runs.

[squidgetmidget]

def agree with the others for castration. he will be able to sense females miles away and like most males will have a one track mind!!! castration should help with these urges!! he will then hopefully not have the urges to seek the ladies!! and will therefore be more interested in you. however this is not a guarentee now as he is being castrated far later than recommended and therefore this is now learned behaviour too so he may continue even when he is castrated. also id chipping if he is not done so that you have 100% piece of mind that if he does not come back to you someone will be able to contact you when he is found. again clicker training is another thing to try which someone else suggested. i would steer clear of negative reinforcements such as choker chains, they really are not great. you need to make him associate being with you as being great so take treats with you and his favourite toy so that he has a reason to come back to you. i do strongly believe him being entire may be alot of your problem. another thing you can try in an enclosed space is to get someone to hold him and you walk away and call him really enthusiatically. then the person can release him and the aim is for him to come straight to you. once he does this reward him with play or a treat. this will also help him understand his name being called with coming back to you and also the main drive is that he will receive a treat at the end of it. you then need to increase the distance away that you are and then put distractions such as toys or bowls of food etc along the way so he learns to ignore the things that are distracting him. hope this helps. do not chase him when he does not come back to you. he will read this as a game and think it is fun. also do not punish him as he will not be able to relate the punishment with the fact that he did not return to you. he is more likely to see it as - when i come back to my owner, i get told off. he wont be able to relate it to the time it took for him to come back. i know it is really frustrating not to be able to punish him but it is most likely to make it worse. therefore when he does come back to you, even if its after half an hour, really praise him so that he associates it with good things. hope this makes sense!! xx

[squidgetmidget]

you def need to address the aggression issues now and ideally you should seek help from a behavioursist as if you do not fully understand what you are doing you can make the problem a whole lot worse. the sooner the better!!! not only could you end up not enjoying your walks for fear of coming across another dog but if he causes any damage to another dog you may be looking at hundreds of pounds to pay for the other dog to be stitched up etc. and even a small nip on something with thin skin like a greyhound will cause a big wound! and dogs can be put to sleep if it is taken further so go very careful. and as he does not come when called at the moment i would not let him off of the lead in an open space as you could find yourself in a lot of bother!!
i hope your problem makes other puppy owners realise the importance of early socialisation and training. and castration!!! x

[gtr121]

Thought my rescue dog was cured of running off, he has been on good behaviour for 2 years, until the other day when he spied an open gate and left at speed. I think that once a runner always a runner.

[snaffles]

I found a brilliant book in the library called "Think Dog" an owners guide to canine psychology by John Fisher. This may help with many dog problems and his ideas are similar to Jan Fennel.
A very interesting read!

[sophieandcallum]

I would use a lunge line, let him run then when you call him just give him a little tug then he'll realise and give him HUGE praise when he comes back, if you are dominent and he respects you this should not be a problem.

[ellieraga]

mascallulu how is it going ?

i have a patterdale terrier and he is exactley the same, beginning to get worried know about letting him off as was doing ponies the other day and he was gone for three hours after chasing a pheasent

[Bethy]

Tr running it on a long 25 metres of long line for a while if he comes back reward him with a nice bit of chicken or cheese.

[Bethy]

but if you have to pull him back dont reward him.

[mandymoo]

I never put my dogs on a lead they don't even wear collours even though i live in a town. I found plenty of praise helps they always stay within two meters of me. I've always belived that if a dog is to full trust it's owner then the owner has to trust the dog

[Julz]

I hate to rock the boat on this one, but I dont think castrating your FT is your answer. My friend has a FT, and I know she wont mind my saying what a little bism he is - lol.. She too has problems with him running off, and he tends to have cotton ears when his name is called repeatedly, he just doesnt seem to get the "you must come back when called" idea!!

The other day she went for a shower, he jumped on a chair, onto the table, onto the windowsill and out through the window, he was gone for two hours!! She's so lucky she doesnt live near a road! Her neighbour found him out walking and brought him back

Im all for castrating for the obvious reason, but not for thinking that it will make him come back more easily

Friends dog has been to two training clubs, and he's no better..he's about to start a third!! (he is castrated)

[nic101]

practise in the garden - always reward when he comes back etc....

make yourself intresting...... i mean go round with a high pitched squeaky voice etc lol - and find out what makes him tick - a toy? treats? and only let him have them when he comes back!!!

i share your pain - one of my dogs will not come back (gundog lol!!! ) as she gets too busy chasing birds/rabbits but is potentially a danger so stays on an extentable lead lol! andonly let off in enclosed/fenced in areas!!!