Runaway Yorkie..

[msiodine]

HI. I need advice on Megan. I've had her for almost 4 weeks. she's 7 months old. she always stays right by my feet But I've had to start putting her on a leash when we go outside (we live in the country) B/c she will start for the road and I call her & she ignores me. I go for her and she runs. (Fast) Man I didn't know I could still run like that, when she picks up something in the house she knows she
s not supposed to have. She runs. HOW DO YOU TEACH A DOG NOT TO RUN FROM YOU?? HELP.

[ladybugg74]

I don't know, but would like to know. Ours takes off too. They never ever leave the house without a harness. Taking no chances here.

[Superstarkba]

You have to let them know that you are in charge, and when they run away yell at them in your mad tone. A good way to do this, is go to a pet training class and you will learn "come when called".

[msiodine]

I did.get on her in my MAD voice & also put her in the playpin for 10 Min. But I'm affraid to take her out now without a leash.

[Hokule'a]

I wouldn't let her out without a leash from now on because for her it's all become a FUN game - let's see how fast mommy can run - LOL!

Also, in the house do not chase her. You need to teach her to come to you (bribe her with a treat at first) for only good things. I never call my two to come when it's something they don't like doing (tooth brushing, grooming, etc.) - I walk by them and nonchalantly scoop them up for those times. They've learned that when I say 'come' that it's only for good things and they come all the time

[Yorkiekids]

There was a thread about hand training, and it teaches your dog to come to your hand whenever you show it. There were a lot more things you could teach your dog, but I don't remember everything it said. Also, try teaching the stay command.

[Superstarkba]

Originally Posted by msiodine

I did.get on her in my MAD voice & also put her in the playpin for 10 Min. But I'm affraid to take her out now without a leash.

Yeah, I would use a leash. I wouldn't want to take any chances!

[yorkiegirl83]

You need to train her to do a reliable recall. This takes a lot of time, IMO because you need to know they will do it 100% of the time. Training classes can help you with that.

I know Mckenzie was allowed to go in the front yard off leash up until a few weeks ago.. but now she gets the zoomies and attempts to go into the neighbors yard so it's only harness outings for her

[yorkiegirl83]

Oh and another thing in case she happens to get away from you again .

I run AWAY from them and yell for them in a happy voice so it turns into chase mommy instead of lets RUN from mommy LOL.

[yorkieusa]

Train her. Yes. But I'm going to give you some good advice. Never, ever take her out without a leash. They are terriers, or is it terrorists? Anyway, all they need to see is a rabbit, a squirrel, or anything else of that ilk, and they are gone. Lots of people have learned the hard way and lost their little yorkies forever. I'll always say to train them, but it isn't worth the risk to take them out without a leash.

[For My Coby]

Originally Posted by Hokule'a

I wouldn't let her out without a leash from now on because for her it's all become a FUN game - let's see how fast mommy can run - LOL!

Also, in the house do not chase her. You need to teach her to come to you (bribe her with a treat at first) for only good things. I never call my two to come when it's something they don't like doing (tooth brushing, grooming, etc.) - I walk by them and nonchalantly scoop them up for those times. They've learned that when I say 'come' that it's only for good things and they come all the time

I agree. AND I'll share what worked for me in a panic once. I had a wild female run out of my house and started down the middle of the road like there was no tomorrow. I knew I could NOT chase her or she'd just take off. I went out by the street and then called her with the excited of a kid at the carnival and then ran as fast as I could back towards the house. She ran right after me to see what was so great. I was so relieved.

But NEVER chase in the house, and ALWAYS treat when they come no matter what - as I say - even if they ate your checkbook - if they come, the get a treat!

[FrannieQ]

our takes off after cats bunnies, squirels.....even birds.r'nt they natural hunters?

[alaskayorkie]

My .02:
* An obedience class would be best, but in the short term, teach a good sit, stay and come.
* We played a fun "come" game when Eddie was young. I would have someone hold him and I would walk several steps away. I'd call him in an animated voice while my assistant was letting him go. He would race to me, and I'd praise, praise, praise and treat. Gradually increase the distance. Eventually, start hiding and make your pup find you.

Eddie is very good, but to be honest he's not perfect. I find that his "stay" is his best command. When he runs away and doesn't come, I can always get him to stay. He learned that well through obedience classes that taught long, extended stays. He had to wait 4 minutes in a sit-stay before I called him.

I know others feel differently, but I would discourage you to scold him when he runs away. My feeling is that's just going to make them not want to come even more. Say come once or twice. If he doesn't come, walk as calmly as possible and pick him up or leash him. That's where the look-who's-boss comes into play. You always win. Then work harder on the sit-stay-come commands.

Good luck.

[Amy81]

i have the problem with cody to "come" on command. when he has gotten something he isnt suppose to or he has been chewing on things when he isnt suppose to. I tell him NO. but he keeps on and when i try to divert him with a toy it doesnt work. i tell him to come and he wont and i try to get him to put him in the pen he starts the chase me game.

[kelkiss5]

Just keep saying the word come, and when he comes to you give him a treat. That way he will learn that the word come, also comes with a treat. It does take a while, but he will learn in time. Good luck, I thnk you need it. LOL.