No leash? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AJohnson · 03-11-2008, 03:55 PM

Toby will be turning a year old on the 15th. Is he getting too old to learn to not be on a leash? He has always had a leash on (I lived in an apt. on a busy road and didn't want him going into the street). But now I've moved to a new apt. with a huge yard in the back and want to be able to let him run around off his leash. Problem is, he will not come to me outside. Once, his retractable lease snapped and he ran off and I had to chase him for 15 minutes (Thankfully he needed to go to the bathroom, or I never would have caught him). It's like he thinks it is a game if he gets loose, he will stop, look at me and wag his tail and when I get close enough to grab him, he takes off. Is this a lost cause? Will he ever be able to walk without a leash?

Any tips would be great!! This is my first yorkie, he is a stubborn little thing!

Jeri Cunningham · 03-11-2008, 04:01 PM

I don't think it is to late. If you new yard is fully fenced and you are confident he cannot get out. Try retraining him by using treats. Make it something he loves. When he is outside say come and show him the treat. Eventually he will learn come is a good thing.

My little one Kayla would go in the yard and never come when called, I didn't chase her but let her take her time. The other 6 always came and Kayla had to be bribed. Now at 11 months she comes when called.

93kathy10 · 03-11-2008, 04:21 PM

Moll was older when I got her and didn't come. I showed her there were wonderful treats inside a litle jar. Whenever I shook the jar, she came and got a treat. I did this before I took her outside for a whole while. She learned to come very fast - of course for the treat. Then we went outside and we did the same, only I didn't always make her go in after getting the treat. It wasn't long before shaking the jar meant come, then it wasn't long before "come" meant a treat, then she came without the treat, but she still gets one once in a while for coming.
Hopoe this helps - Kathy

AJohnson · 03-11-2008, 06:25 PM

Thanks for the great ideas. The jar thing is genius! I can't wait to try out the suggestions.

Karrie · 03-11-2008, 06:55 PM

I believe that after a command has been taught that treats should be weaned - except for the "come" command. That is THE most important command. We treat command for come. In addition to "come' I also taught Bailey to "stop". I use it inside and outside.

I know this is controversial - but we do not use a leash with Bailey. Its the only way to enjoy her outside. That said, she is never unattended when we are outside.

Dogs love to chase - so we also taught Baileya game "tag you're it". Touch the dog, say "tag you're it" and run the other direction. They catch on real fast! If for some reason "come" doesn't work - then yell "tag you're it" and run the other direction - they will come running!!! Its hilarious!

kwaymon · 03-11-2008, 07:58 PM

Maybe you could really tire him out with a long walk on the leash and then when you let him off leash it won't be so tempting to run and explore. I also agree with the previous poster that treats everytime for the word come is a great idea. Also, my pup has invisible boundaries in my front yard, if his disobeys those boundaries and does not come back when called, playtime out- side is immediately over and we go back in. I think that is starting to sink in because he hasn't even attempted to leave the boundaries lately.

momof4CA · 03-11-2008, 09:29 PM

First, it is very important for them to understand that getting a treat is a big deal. In my house I have a cookie jar on the counter (in the kitchen) that we have treats in. Once a day I will say "want a treat" and go over to the jar. If he comes he gets a treat.

Second, never ever chase them for any reason. They think you are playing. If he runs in the direction you don't want him to go. You need to run in the direction you want him to run in. He will think it is a fun game.

Our little guy is 7 months and we are working on being allowed outside off leash from the car in the drive way, into the house. I tell him "lets go in the house" and I start walking. If he starts following... I tell him in my happy voice "good boy". If he doesn't follow...I say "want a treat" and I go into the house. So far, he has come every time.

pepe mint · 03-11-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJohnson

Any tips would be great!! This is my first yorkie, he is a stubborn little thing!

You have been given some great advice so far...I just had to laugh at this statement!

welcome to the amazing world of yorkies LOL stubborn, persistent, demanding....but they give the best love ever

There's just nothing like a yorkie. period.

Ellie May · 03-14-2008, 01:17 PM

Do you have a fenced in yard or not?

patty58 · 03-14-2008, 01:36 PM

I don't really have any advice. Seems like you have already gotten good advice. Just wanted to say welcome to YT and good luck.

lulababy · 03-14-2008, 04:55 PM

i really like the idea of shaking the cookie jar. im going to try that

Yorkie Luv of 3 · 03-14-2008, 05:05 PM

Welcome to YT!!! i see you've been given plenty of good advice,,so,, Welcome!

03-11-2008, 03:55 PM	#1
AJohnson Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 15	No leash? Toby will be turning a year old on the 15th. Is he getting too old to learn to not be on a leash? He has always had a leash on (I lived in an apt. on a busy road and didn't want him going into the street). But now I've moved to a new apt. with a huge yard in the back and want to be able to let him run around off his leash. Problem is, he will not come to me outside. Once, his retractable lease snapped and he ran off and I had to chase him for 15 minutes (Thankfully he needed to go to the bathroom, or I never would have caught him). It's like he thinks it is a game if he gets loose, he will stop, look at me and wag his tail and when I get close enough to grab him, he takes off. Is this a lost cause? Will he ever be able to walk without a leash? Any tips would be great!! This is my first yorkie, he is a stubborn little thing!

03-11-2008, 04:01 PM	#2
Jeri Cunningham The Little Rascals Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hercules,CA Posts: 1,556 Blog Entries: 1	I don't think it is to late. If you new yard is fully fenced and you are confident he cannot get out. Try retraining him by using treats. Make it something he loves. When he is outside say come and show him the treat. Eventually he will learn come is a good thing. My little one Kayla would go in the yard and never come when called, I didn't chase her but let her take her time. The other 6 always came and Kayla had to be bribed. Now at 11 months she comes when called. __________________ Mandy & Krissy & Teddy & Chelsey & Kayla Non-Yorkies: Rusty & Spicy & Biewers: Darla & Spanky The Little Rascals

03-11-2008, 06:55 PM	#5
Karrie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 196	I believe that after a command has been taught that treats should be weaned - except for the "come" command. That is THE most important command. We treat command for come. In addition to "come' I also taught Bailey to "stop". I use it inside and outside. I know this is controversial - but we do not use a leash with Bailey. Its the only way to enjoy her outside. That said, she is never unattended when we are outside. Dogs love to chase - so we also taught Baileya game "tag you're it". Touch the dog, say "tag you're it" and run the other direction. They catch on real fast! If for some reason "come" doesn't work - then yell "tag you're it" and run the other direction - they will come running!!! Its hilarious! __________________ This is Bailey's world and we just live in it!

03-14-2008, 01:17 PM	#9
Ellie May YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,630	Do you have a fenced in yard or not? __________________ Crystal and Ellie May

03-14-2008, 01:36 PM	#10
patty58 Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: texas Posts: 4,834	I don't really have any advice. Seems like you have already gotten good advice. Just wanted to say welcome to YT and good luck. __________________ Patty, Murfee's Mommy Believe Everything Happens For A Reason

03-11-2008, 04:21 PM	#3
93kathy10 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 92	Moll was older when I got her and didn't come. I showed her there were wonderful treats inside a litle jar. Whenever I shook the jar, she came and got a treat. I did this before I took her outside for a whole while. She learned to come very fast - of course for the treat. Then we went outside and we did the same, only I didn't always make her go in after getting the treat. It wasn't long before shaking the jar meant come, then it wasn't long before "come" meant a treat, then she came without the treat, but she still gets one once in a while for coming. Hopoe this helps - Kathy

03-11-2008, 06:25 PM	#4
AJohnson Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 15	Thanks for the great ideas. The jar thing is genius! I can't wait to try out the suggestions.

03-11-2008, 07:58 PM	#6
kwaymon YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 493	Maybe you could really tire him out with a long walk on the leash and then when you let him off leash it won't be so tempting to run and explore. I also agree with the previous poster that treats everytime for the word come is a great idea. Also, my pup has invisible boundaries in my front yard, if his disobeys those boundaries and does not come back when called, playtime out- side is immediately over and we go back in. I think that is starting to sink in because he hasn't even attempted to leave the boundaries lately.

03-11-2008, 09:29 PM	#7
momof4CA YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bay area, CA Posts: 302	First, it is very important for them to understand that getting a treat is a big deal. In my house I have a cookie jar on the counter (in the kitchen) that we have treats in. Once a day I will say "want a treat" and go over to the jar. If he comes he gets a treat. Second, never ever chase them for any reason. They think you are playing. If he runs in the direction you don't want him to go. You need to run in the direction you want him to run in. He will think it is a fun game. Our little guy is 7 months and we are working on being allowed outside off leash from the car in the drive way, into the house. I tell him "lets go in the house" and I start walking. If he starts following... I tell him in my happy voice "good boy". If he doesn't follow...I say "want a treat" and I go into the house. So far, he has come every time.

03-14-2008, 04:55 PM	#11
lulababy bam and pebbles mommy Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 1,603	i really like the idea of shaking the cookie jar. im going to try that __________________ P E B B L E S Member of PPU, The PiNk Club, The Crazy Club, & SRC Add my puppy on Myspace & Dogster! BAM BAM Soon to be member of PPU, Little Gentlemans Club, Crazy Club & SRC

03-14-2008, 05:05 PM	#12
Yorkie Luv of 3 Ayla now makes it 4!!! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana(home) & Texas(work) Posts: 1,707	Welcome to YT!!! i see you've been given plenty of good advice,,so,, Welcome! __________________ Cricket~Proud Petite Pup! Daisy~Proud TeaPot!! & Trixie ~Texas Girl & Ayla~Cherokee Baby! Yorkies!!! What's Not to Love!