Need Help

[TeacupLove]

I have had my Yorkie (parker) for three months now. I love him to death he is my baby!! He is 5 months old and the biggest lovebug ever!! I am planning on taking him to obedience class starting next month, but until then I need some help. He doesn't listen one bit. My biggest problem is I cant get him to come when I need him to! Today was the last straw for me.

My parents usually babysit Parker when I go to work, but on Sundays I take him to work with me while they go to church and then they come get him. I decided to stop at Dunkin's on my way to work. When I pulled up to the drive through and started rolling down my window he waited until it was half way down, and then jumped out of the car!! he ran all over the parking lot of the GoGo Gas station in front of all the cars. I was frantic of course, but he thought it was just a game and kept running away!! I had no clue what to do so I just got back into my car and he came running because he thought I was going to leave him. We live out in the middle of nowhere so I let him run around our driveway when I leave for work and he always runs to me when I get in the car. Well, I placed my order and drove up and when the girl at the window asked me if I was ok I just broke down crying. It's frustrating enough that my baby doesn't ever listen (even though he gets punished) but it's the fact that he has put himself in harms way (more than once) that is so stressful. I just don't know what to do with him.

Obviously, in the car I'm either getting him a doggy seatbelt or putting him in his carrier but for other instances just at the house I need him to start obeying.

Anyone have any advice for me it would be awesome.

Oh and please ignore my username I know there is no such thing as a "teacup" puppy, I just think little dogs are cute. I know how people are very litteral around this forum lol.

[Rachael x]

Wow! That must have been VERY scary for you. It put me on edge just reading it!
I think the training classes would be a good idea they should be able to help you with recall, good luck.

[TeacupLove]

Thanks Rachael, it was super scary... I was still crying by the time I got to work. I could tell he felt bad he was looking at me trying to give me kisses and cheer me up. I can't wait to get him to obedience class because he needs to learn to listen. I love him so much and just don't want anything bad to happen to him!!!!

[Maximo]

Very scary! I'm glad you were able to catch your pup. A car seat with a tether to hook to your pup's harness will solve your car problems.

Teaching my boys to "come" inside the house was easy; outdoors has been more challenging. We have had a couple of incidents where the boys escaped and thankfully they did respond to commands to stop, stand still, or come. However, I do not trust my boys off of a leash.

All I can recommend is working daily on these basic commands. Use treats and plenty of praise.

[Ashley V]

You need to work on recall exercises. I had a "bolter" and he refused to listen. If he would bolt out of our door, nothing would stop him, unless there was a random person or another dog outside, then he would approach them. I tried EVERYTHING to get him to obey, but he just wouldn't, so I bought a dog whistle and a 20 foot lead. You can get the lead at Wal-Mart for about $8. First I started around the house. When he would be preoccupied with something and in another part of the house, I would blow the whistle then say "Smokey, come." and he would come sprinting through the house to figure out what that noise was. I would give him a treat when he came and praise him. I would do this over and over again and would do it when he least expected it. I also would make him sit and stay, then go across the room, and blow the whistle. Then I took him in our fenced it yard and would let him run around. When we was running at full speed and playing, I'd blow the whistle and tell him to come and he would immediately come and sit in front of me. Of course, I'd give him a treat. Then I took him out on the 20 foot lead out to the park and different environments. He started getting the idea. I still don't trust him off leash, but at least I know he's better about bolting and coming back. I also taught both of our dogs where "HOME" is. When we go on walks I'll say "Go home!" and let them lead me home and that helped a lot too.

[TeacupLove]

Thank you for all your advice!!! I will definitely try the dog whistle and the lead that sounds like a great idea! Mine is definitely a bolter he takes off barking at everything as soon as I open the door to my house..I don't normally care because we live out in the middle of nowhere so he isnt in any danger...but in a parking lot...not so much thanks

[107barney]

I know the feeling - my Barney jumped out of the car once at a stop sign as a puppy. We were so worried but thankfully the car we had at the time was low to the ground and the jump was not that high. Still, he was very bad!

As for calling to come, it's the hardest command to work on reliably but very important. I do not trust my dogs despite many years of training so they are never off leash.

In the car, I lock windows now because they figured out how to open them. We now strap them into their carseats and it is much less stressful that way.

[cley]

Originally Posted by TeacupLove

I have had my Yorkie (parker) for three months now. I love him to death he is my baby!! He is 5 months old and the biggest lovebug ever!! I am planning on taking him to obedience class starting next month, but until then I need some help. He doesn't listen one bit. My biggest problem is I cant get him to come when I need him to! Today was the last straw for me.

My parents usually babysit Parker when I go to work, but on Sundays I take him to work with me while they go to church and then they come get him. I decided to stop at Dunkin's on my way to work. When I pulled up to the drive through and started rolling down my window he waited until it was half way down, and then jumped out of the car!! he ran all over the parking lot of the GoGo Gas station in front of all the cars. I was frantic of course, but he thought it was just a game and kept running away!! I had no clue what to do so I just got back into my car and he came running because he thought I was going to leave him. We live out in the middle of nowhere so I let him run around our driveway when I leave for work and he always runs to me when I get in the car. Well, I placed my order and drove up and when the girl at the window asked me if I was ok I just broke down crying. It's frustrating enough that my baby doesn't ever listen (even though he gets punished) but it's the fact that he has put himself in harms way (more than once) that is so stressful. I just don't know what to do with him.

Obviously, in the car I'm either getting him a doggy seatbelt or putting him in his carrier but for other instances just at the house I need him to start obeying.

Anyone have any advice for me it would be awesome.

Oh and please ignore my username I know there is no such thing as a "teacup" puppy, I just think little dogs are cute. I know how people are very litteral around this forum lol.

I'm on my third yorkie and two of the three will bolt. God forbid they get on the trail of a cat I might never see them again. Which is why they stay on the leash. I feel for you. I know you couldn't help your baby jumping out of the window I'm just glad that everything ended alright. I have tried a clicker and it worked until they saw a squirl, bird ect so although I know I haven't been any help just know that you are now alone. Good luck>

[TeacupLove]

Thank you everyone for your replies!!! I really apreciate your best wished and advice!!!

[lexi43]

I'm glad your caught your puppy before he got hurt. I will not travel with Zach unless somebody is in the car with me or he's in a carrier. He doesn't listen either.

[lil fu fu girl]

You have gotten some wonderful training adivce from the other posters. I definitely agree, your best bet is to spend time with him, both in training classes and at home training him. It will take time as he is still young, but the sooner you start the better off both of you will be.

[concretegurl]

Harness with seat belt attachment-I swear by them as they can be used for walking on the leash then you change the attachment and hook them into the car, easy transition and safe the whole time you can find them everywhere (here's the link to the ones I have wish I had found them here as they are really cheap on eBay)
Dog Car Safety Restraint Seat Belt Harness 7-15" Chest - eBay (item 350373860862 end time Jan-09-11 18:01:03 PST)

...personally I don't think anyone should ever have their dog unsecured (safely restrained) in their vehicle period, for the safety of their dog, themselves or others-think what would happen to your dog during a minor fender bender with him being unrestrained also...

Dog and children need to be forcibly protected by us for the same reasons...I'm so sorry you had to go through this, but better to go through it have it all turn out okay and then learn from it before it happens again!

As far as running being an issue use a leash on his harness always with the exception of fully fenced or secure areas when you can work on training-I will never be able to unleash my Schnorkie Scoobers, he catches a scent and before he can think....he's bolted....gone....running....following his nose...we've spent two years on it now, he'll always be leashed when in an unsecured area-he comes on command now, but I can't risk his scent response and immediate bolting before he thinks and comes back to me.

[memphis10]

My 5th month old and I have been in obedience class for 8 weeks now already. Thankfully Memphis is not a bolter, he's a fairly careful kind of dog however my advice is to be careful in which obedience class you pick. Most puppy classes focus on socialization and very basic skills and you will not get much one on one for this type of issue you are having a problem with. I would pay a bit extra to get a one on one hour with a trainer to address your issue directly otherwise if you won't have much time to address with very important problem.

[salazark]

Originally Posted by TeacupLove

I have had my Yorkie (parker) for three months now. I love him to death he is my baby!! He is 5 months old and the biggest lovebug ever!! I am planning on taking him to obedience class starting next month, but until then I need some help. He doesn't listen one bit. My biggest problem is I cant get him to come when I need him to! Today was the last straw for me.

My parents usually babysit Parker when I go to work, but on Sundays I take him to work with me while they go to church and then they come get him. I decided to stop at Dunkin's on my way to work. When I pulled up to the drive through and started rolling down my window he waited until it was half way down, and then jumped out of the car!! he ran all over the parking lot of the GoGo Gas station in front of all the cars. I was frantic of course, but he thought it was just a game and kept running away!! I had no clue what to do so I just got back into my car and he came running because he thought I was going to leave him. We live out in the middle of nowhere so I let him run around our driveway when I leave for work and he always runs to me when I get in the car. Well, I placed my order and drove up and when the girl at the window asked me if I was ok I just broke down crying. It's frustrating enough that my baby doesn't ever listen (even though he gets punished) but it's the fact that he has put himself in harms way (more than once) that is so stressful. I just don't know what to do with him.

Obviously, in the car I'm either getting him a doggy seatbelt or putting him in his carrier but for other instances just at the house I need him to start obeying.

Anyone have any advice for me it would be awesome.

Oh and please ignore my username I know there is no such thing as a "teacup" puppy, I just think little dogs are cute. I know how people are very litteral around this forum lol.

I noticed one thing in your original post. Recall training is perhaps the single most important behavior that requires positive reinforcement. Whatever you do and no matter how frustrated you are don't punish him or even scold him when you do finally get him. Use a very happy voice when you call him. As others have said, use a long tether for safety and wait for him to come to you. Whenever he does make it very positive. Have a little party with treats. If it isn't rewarding to come to you (even if he's been running around like a little monster) he's not going to do it. Also, a trick that I use that works (most of the time) is call his name in a very happy voice and then run away from him. He will likely come running to see where you are going. When he does, give him a treat and happy, happy praise.

Also, I never have mine in the car unrestrained - usually in their crate buckled in with a seat belt. It lets me focus on driving.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by TeacupLove

Thank you for all your advice!!! I will definitely try the dog whistle and the lead that sounds like a great idea! Mine is definitely a bolter he takes off barking at everything as soon as I open the door to my house..I don't normally care because we live out in the middle of nowhere so he isnt in any danger...but in a parking lot...not so much thanks

No matter where a person lives, a pup should not be left to run off leash unless there is a fence and/or he is very, very well trained.
Another animal could come along and your pup might chase it ... and end up attacked and injured or killed.
I have seen things like this happen.