[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.