she's a runner.... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

My Maddie Girl · 10-18-2006, 03:59 AM

We recently purchased a home and moved from our apartment. In our apartment we had developed a problem. Maddie was no longer afraid of the stairs and began going up and down. Of course, with this, comes Maddie running down whenever someone opens the door and then sneaking OUT- and she's GONE. I would have anxiety attacks chasing her through the complex and the only thing that would get her was the word "cheese". Just a tiny little slivver would do.

So, i couldnt wait to get our house so she could run around in the yard. That was truley one of the biggest things i looked for as we searched for one. And we found a nice sized yard- fenced in-i was happy. So Maddie LOVESSSSS to run around in the yard- but of course we had her "cousin dogs" over for her birthday and my bro-in-law's lab decided to DESTROY the fence. Needless to say, we found three dogs sitting on my FRONT stoop- all the dogs- but mine. she was a gonner- she runs and runs and runs and runs. As i run around my "new" neighborhood yelling "CHEESE" "CHEESE" down the streets- they all think Im crazy! It took about 10 people to trap her down. It is SO frustrating. She has given up on cheese- it doesnt work anymore. ( Also i dont want her to think she gets a treat for running away) She got out of her harness once before and another time ran out the front door- both times requiring a neighborhood "dog search" it is so frustraing and embarassing that she always just DARTS- and she is just SO DARN FAST! The ears go to the back of her head and she is like a darn fox.

any suggestions to getting her to "come" to us or not bolt out the door???

She NEVER does this for my husband! Every morning she walks with him to the door and sits at it as he leaves or if i am home first and she is out with me, she will sit at the door when she sees his car pull up. But if i open the door- GONE!

Any suggestions??

shecass · 10-18-2006, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Maddie Girl

We recently purchased a home and moved from our apartment. In our apartment we had developed a problem. Maddie was no longer afraid of the stairs and began going up and down. Of course, with this, comes Maddie running down whenever someone opens the door and then sneaking OUT- and she's GONE. I would have anxiety attacks chasing her through the complex and the only thing that would get her was the word "cheese". Just a tiny little slivver would do.

So, i couldnt wait to get our house so she could run around in the yard. That was truley one of the biggest things i looked for as we searched for one. And we found a nice sized yard- fenced in-i was happy. So Maddie LOVESSSSS to run around in the yard- but of course we had her "cousin dogs" over for her birthday and my bro-in-law's lab decided to DESTROY the fence. Needless to say, we found three dogs sitting on my FRONT stoop- all the dogs- but mine. she was a gonner- she runs and runs and runs and runs. As i run around my "new" neighborhood yelling "CHEESE" "CHEESE" down the streets- they all think Im crazy! It took about 10 people to trap her down. It is SO frustrating. She has given up on cheese- it doesnt work anymore. ( Also i dont want her to think she gets a treat for running away) She got out of her harness once before and another time ran out the front door- both times requiring a neighborhood "dog search" it is so frustraing and embarassing that she always just DARTS- and she is just SO DARN FAST! The ears go to the back of her head and she is like a darn fox.

any suggestions to getting her to "come" to us or not bolt out the door???

She NEVER does this for my husband! Every morning she walks with him to the door and sits at it as he leaves or if i am home first and she is out with me, she will sit at the door when she sees his car pull up. But if i open the door- GONE!

Any suggestions??

Gosh, I'm sorry you are having problems. I got my two use to the command stay so, whenever I open the door (unless they are just really excited) they know they are not to go out. This works for us I would say 99% of the time but, if I have my keys and forget to say stay before I open the door then they think they are going for a ride and out they go. They only go to the car. I haven't had to chase one of them in a long time.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

RLC12345678 · 10-18-2006, 08:22 AM

My parents' dog definately used to do this. The only way they were able to break her of it was to open the front door and let KoKo run out and don't chase her. KoKo used to sprint out the door and sprint down the street and, like you, we would always chase after her with a treat and have to trap her. But now, we just open the front door, let her go out and explore, and she always comes back. And when she comes back, she gets a treat. The only reason your girl wants to run away is because it is something new that is exciting and she never gets to do. If you let her run and act like you don't care, let her come back on her own and give her a treat, I bet this will correct the problem

shopstump · 10-18-2006, 09:23 AM

Stump used to do this soo much! And I know how scary it is, I was so scared one day he was going to run out and there be a car in the street!! But someone on here told me to start making him sit before we open then door. Anytime someone knocks, or we leave, or someone comes home before I open the door I say "Sit" and he will sit and he gets a treat for staying until the door is shut. It took a while to get it to work but it finally does! Every so often he will run out but not everytime like it used to be.

Last time he ran out was like a week ago. We have a glass door and a normal door and he was laying there watching the neighborhood looking at the door and there was a moth on the door and as soon as my dad opened the front door Stump was off after the moth! Lol, but thankfully my dad thought fast dropped the box of drinks in his hand and went and got Stump!

FirstYorkie · 10-19-2006, 01:25 AM

Teach her to sit/stay every time the door is opened. Never let her run out ahead of you. Make her wait for your "okay" before she goes out.

In the meantime, maybe you could baby gate the door?

SnowWa · 10-19-2006, 04:36 AM

I have very easily trained both my dogs to stay back and sit whenever I go to the door.

BUT - there are still times when they get outside for a number of reasons...

And - when they get out - they are both like yours - there is nothing I can do to get them to even turn around and look at me.

It's futile for me to even try and catch them - and, in fact, I they are less likely to come back if they know I'm after them.

Usually I just leave my back door open and pray. And, fortunately, after 10 minutes, 15 minutes or 20 minutes --- they usually both coming running back into the house.

My yard isn't fenced. I don't worry about my Bichon much - he sticks around the house very well if he's loose - but I do tie my Yorkie up everytime he's outside.....because he just wanders off and goes wherever he wants.

A lot of worry - right!

I'm sure you're going to get your fenced fixed. I think that's your best solution.

Carol Jean

olgap · 10-19-2006, 09:48 PM

A trainer suggested keeping a leash right by the door to put on him before you open the door. But the best thing to work on is to have a specific place you send him to whenever the doorbell rings. Have him sit/stay there and reward with treats. Practice having him stay longer and longer while you open and close the door, step outside, etc. Chico was bad about charging at the door barking his head off. We've been doing this and he is getting better. Good luck.

10-18-2006, 03:59 AM	#1
My Maddie Girl Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Patchogue, NY Posts: 99	she's a runner.... We recently purchased a home and moved from our apartment. In our apartment we had developed a problem. Maddie was no longer afraid of the stairs and began going up and down. Of course, with this, comes Maddie running down whenever someone opens the door and then sneaking OUT- and she's GONE. I would have anxiety attacks chasing her through the complex and the only thing that would get her was the word "cheese". Just a tiny little slivver would do. So, i couldnt wait to get our house so she could run around in the yard. That was truley one of the biggest things i looked for as we searched for one. And we found a nice sized yard- fenced in-i was happy. So Maddie LOVESSSSS to run around in the yard- but of course we had her "cousin dogs" over for her birthday and my bro-in-law's lab decided to DESTROY the fence. Needless to say, we found three dogs sitting on my FRONT stoop- all the dogs- but mine. she was a gonner- she runs and runs and runs and runs. As i run around my "new" neighborhood yelling "CHEESE" "CHEESE" down the streets- they all think Im crazy! It took about 10 people to trap her down. It is SO frustrating. She has given up on cheese- it doesnt work anymore. ( Also i dont want her to think she gets a treat for running away) She got out of her harness once before and another time ran out the front door- both times requiring a neighborhood "dog search" it is so frustraing and embarassing that she always just DARTS- and she is just SO DARN FAST! The ears go to the back of her head and she is like a darn fox. any suggestions to getting her to "come" to us or not bolt out the door??? She NEVER does this for my husband! Every morning she walks with him to the door and sits at it as he leaves or if i am home first and she is out with me, she will sit at the door when she sees his car pull up. But if i open the door- GONE! Any suggestions?? __________________ * Nicole * AKA Maddie's mom

10-18-2006, 08:22 AM	#3
RLC12345678 I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 7,062	My parents' dog definately used to do this. The only way they were able to break her of it was to open the front door and let KoKo run out and don't chase her. KoKo used to sprint out the door and sprint down the street and, like you, we would always chase after her with a treat and have to trap her. But now, we just open the front door, let her go out and explore, and she always comes back. And when she comes back, she gets a treat. The only reason your girl wants to run away is because it is something new that is exciting and she never gets to do. If you let her run and act like you don't care, let her come back on her own and give her a treat, I bet this will correct the problem __________________ Hobbs on Dogster Lamar on Dogster Belle on Dogster Hootie on Dogster

10-18-2006, 09:23 AM	#4
shopstump Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 344	Stump used to do this soo much! And I know how scary it is, I was so scared one day he was going to run out and there be a car in the street!! But someone on here told me to start making him sit before we open then door. Anytime someone knocks, or we leave, or someone comes home before I open the door I say "Sit" and he will sit and he gets a treat for staying until the door is shut. It took a while to get it to work but it finally does! Every so often he will run out but not everytime like it used to be. Last time he ran out was like a week ago. We have a glass door and a normal door and he was laying there watching the neighborhood looking at the door and there was a moth on the door and as soon as my dad opened the front door Stump was off after the moth! Lol, but thankfully my dad thought fast dropped the box of drinks in his hand and went and got Stump! __________________ Kimberly & Stump www.shopstump.com 10% Off for YorkieTalk Members! Voucher Code: yorkietalk

10-19-2006, 01:25 AM	#5
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Teach her to sit/stay every time the door is opened. Never let her run out ahead of you. Make her wait for your "okay" before she goes out. In the meantime, maybe you could baby gate the door? __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

10-19-2006, 04:36 AM	#6
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,991	I have very easily trained both my dogs to stay back and sit whenever I go to the door. BUT - there are still times when they get outside for a number of reasons... And - when they get out - they are both like yours - there is nothing I can do to get them to even turn around and look at me. It's futile for me to even try and catch them - and, in fact, I they are less likely to come back if they know I'm after them. Usually I just leave my back door open and pray. And, fortunately, after 10 minutes, 15 minutes or 20 minutes --- they usually both coming running back into the house. My yard isn't fenced. I don't worry about my Bichon much - he sticks around the house very well if he's loose - but I do tie my Yorkie up everytime he's outside.....because he just wanders off and goes wherever he wants. A lot of worry - right! I'm sure you're going to get your fenced fixed. I think that's your best solution. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.

10-19-2006, 09:48 PM	#7
olgap Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 131	A trainer suggested keeping a leash right by the door to put on him before you open the door. But the best thing to work on is to have a specific place you send him to whenever the doorbell rings. Have him sit/stay there and reward with treats. Practice having him stay longer and longer while you open and close the door, step outside, etc. Chico was bad about charging at the door barking his head off. We've been doing this and he is getting better. Good luck.