 Still working on this -
Sargie is 11 months old...he has gotten much better via a vis obedience training, with some help from Bark Busters - although he is one tough customer (we started with the vocal discouragement, moved to training aids, then had to move to the dreaded spray bottle). He used to bolt out the door constantly and yes, it's the whole alpha dog thing...now if he sees I have keys he sits and lets me leave - seems to have outgrown always trying to get out with me -, but if he is in a playful mood and I open the door to get the mail or such he will still bolt. It's dangerous because he runs like the wind, normally toward a busy road, and I can't catch him. The last time this happened I turned and instead of running after him and calling "come" (which he had had some training in - but let's face it, he didn't see the point in obeying) I called him, turned and ran back to my house. He ran right after me right up the steps and inside...probably won't work for every pup, but I never would have caught him - it's worth a try if you're in a position like I was at the time. But it's true, you have to do the diligent training with the door, till he gets it. I haven't gotten there yet.
Sargie and CS |