training off leash
 

I was watching It's Me or the Dog the other day and I'm glad I did! It was dealing with an issue that I needed help on... hopefully it's a sign. See, Smokey LOVES to run... he would run all day if he could and I'd love to watch him run, but it's hard to give him any freedom because he doesn't listen pretty much at all when he's off leash. Well, I think her technique might work with him... of course, it's gonna take me a couple months I think. She said to get a long training leash, so it's almost like he's off leash, but not really, and get a whistle, and a squeaky toy or something he'd be really interested in getting. Let him run where ever he wants but whistle, say his name and the command, then reward him when he comes and repeat the process. That way he learns that he can still have fun, but will be rewarded when he listens. What do you think? Anyone use this?

i am also interested to see what people think...

I know! I'd love to be able to trust him off leash like we can trust Chip. I know how much he loves to run and be free, but he just likes to run and not stop.

That method sure does work. I used to carry treats when I was first walking my guys off lead. Make sure your dogs know you have the treats - be prepared to be ignored for the first 10mins - the smells are just tooooo exciting. Then you'll find they listen.

I saw that episode - that was a serious running away problem - that dog would be gone for HOURS! I would just relax and let your dog just run. Carry the treats (or toy or whatever motivates your dog).

If your dog isn't listening. Try running away and make exciting noises - say "bye bye". You'll find your dog will come running to check out what exciting thing mum's doing.

When I get to the park. I make the dogs wait before removing their leads, treat, then release. Then I just start walking. They wind up following me sooner or later - I just keep an eye out that they're not rolling in anything gross!

I never used a long lead. But if you do be prepared for when you do stop using the long lead your dog will know he's no longer on a lead. Dougal acts very differently when he's got his collar on and when I take it off to run an agility course. I didn't think it made a difference but now I've started training without a collar as well.

See Smokey's running problem is worse than that dog. If he sees any opportunity to get away, he will and he's REALLY fast. Honestly, I've never seen a dog so fast. We took him and Chip to a dog carnival a few months ago and he was just running and running so fast... all the dogs were trying to chase him, but they gave up after about 10 feet cause they couldn't keep up.

Oh and the bye bye thing does not work for him. It works for Chip, but not him. He could care less.

Maybe if I take him for a long run first to tire him out, then go take him to a park to train, he'd listen better and I would get better results?

I think one of Smokey's big problems is dealing with his history. See, Chip is VERY attached to us, but we also brought him home at 7 weeks and he was with us 100% of the time. If we let him off leash, he just runs about 15 feet and comes back. Smokey we didn't get until he was 6 months old and we were his fifth home.... so I think it might be an attachment issue as well as his care free, laid back attitude. He loves us, I know he does, and I think it's just now starting to sink in that he's actually got a permenant home that loves him and would never leave him - I've seen some big improvements in his behavior and listening these past couple months, but I'm so afraid to let him off leash... that's why I want to teach him to come when I call him. I wish I could let him off leash more often... I love watching him run... he's so happy and I'd do anything to make him happy, BUT his safety comes before that even. As soon as I get the money when my husband gets a job, I'm going to get Smokey in obedience classes. He knows the basic commands, but he does have some other behavior issues to deal with and I need the help of a trainer.

Both Training methods (lead and treats) sound excellent. Our Biggie sometimes does not come when off leash. He too loves to run...esp. after the rabbits we have around the neighborhood. But if we have treats or we say, Biggie do you want a treat?...98% of the time he comes running back to us. We continue to practice with him each week just so he doesn't forget what he is supposed to do. It takes time..but I bet with persistence both training methods will work wonders for Smokey.

Lexi used to be horrible at coming offleash, especially when there was another dog to sniff!
Not only would I treat her every time she came back when I called, but I'd also treat her if she came back without being called. Now she stays close, checks in often and comes when I call her. I barely use treats anymore on walks. Good luck with your little runner! :)

That's a good idea to reward him when he comes without being called too. Thanks!!

This is why I love to post ideas, because someone always has another good idea to expand the original idea.

it sounds to me like your little guy doesnt really respect you as his leader you need to let him know that you are the boss not him. also that you will allow him to have fun it just has to be within your rules. everyone says to give these dogs nothing but praise. that is great to teach them that way but when you are trying to teach them you need to let them know what is unacceptabel too weather you have to put them in the kennel for a five minute time out or something. i dont recomend physically disiplining them but they need to comprehend what is wrong. you need to let him know that even thought he thinks he is the boss he isnt. once you have fully taken the roll of leader he will come back when you want him to come and call his name.

I think you are partly right. He KNOWS I'm the leader IN the house, but as soon as we are outside... he rules. He listens wonderfully inside. All I have to say is "Smoookey" in that certain tone and he knows to stop doing whatever it is that he's doing and if he's REALLY in trouble, he rolls over and submits. He has gotten better about listening outside in our fenced in yard and he's done a lot better too since we've gotten the gentle leader.

ive been very interested in the gentle leader i would be curious to know how it works out for you

The gentle leader is great! I'm not too stuck on the easy walk one though. Smokey has a problem going into stores where there are other dogs. He barks out of control and NOTHING can get his attention. Now with the gentle leader, we can walk in a store and you can see him getting excited, but he doesn't bark (as much) and it's more muffled cause he isn't opening his mouth all the way. The only time he barks is if the other dog starts it... THEN he goes nuts. By himself, he also walks a lot better too, but Chip is so horrible with his walking that it throws Smokey off. Chip won't walk with the gentle leader. He just lays down and puts his head down. He refuses to move.

we too have this problem off lead, but not everytime. some days sophie will just leg it and come back when she s ready and other days she s pretty good.and not wander too far, although if she sees anyone in the distance she races off to say hi despite me shouting running off in another direction or showing her the ball She loves the ballat tims ) treats do nothing for her buti may try cheese in my pocket next . I think its a case of if they get distracted (other dogs, joggers ,cyclists, well anyone lets face it ) she s off !! any new ideas would be welcome !!

I watched that show to. Trust me it works. I love her show and Ceasar's.
These little yorkies are very smart. I tried the same thing. Now my boy knows come here but he doesn't always listens. He will come half way and turn around. We'll i had a treat in my hand and he knew it. Everytime I said come here he came a running..lol
I have also taught him how to shake in 2 days. They will do whatever you want if you are feeding them treats. :p

I used this method with my yorkie and it was 100% successful. Now, my yorkie is a bit timid -- I recall trained him so that I could call him back if he started eating something off the ground. His leash broke today and it took me quite a while to notice because he was sticking so close to me. It might be more difficult with a dog that loves to roam. Also, you need to keep the training up regularly, or the dog will mind you less.

Anyway, I took my guy into a park with bacon. He'd wander off a bit, and then when he came back, I would give him a piece of bacon. Pretty soon he was sprinting back to me, to the point where he'd hit himself in the face with the bacon treat. I also gave him a bigger treat if I specifically called for him, rather than him just returning on his own.

I'm definitely going to be training regularly, weather allowing of course. I'm going out everyday with him to a nearby park and going to work with him as soon as this rain lets up some. I'm hoping to have him completely trustworthy off leash by summer, so he can enjoy running free in the warm weather. :-)

I'm doing this for many reasons
a) we've had too many close calls with him running out of the door
b) he's an escape artist
c) running free makes him happy
d) I want him safe
e) I want him to be better trained and to see me as the "leader"

working so far !!
 

we took sophie out last night for her walk along the beach armed this time with tiny pieces of cheese. well i called her to come showing i had cheese and every time she started to get distracted i called and rewarded her and it worked !!! she even ignored a jogger running past (previously chasing them ) for a piece of cheese !! im very pleased , i will do it again tonight and every night till she comes to call , let u all know how progress goes.

I use a long line all the time alway to work recall on new puppies as well as when we go out with my dog at night.

I started my dog on a long line and taught recall.
Now she free to run during the day off line out of a fenced yard as long as she at the first call redirects to me and or comes to me.

I work several ways a whislte is redirect and come into view. I can not see you.
Her name and Come is you had better come a running and now.
Her name is simple a get closer and or make contact as soon as you can after you finish the sniff or pee.
Now on a name and a come if she blows me off and it happens she gets long lined for a few trips and a retry on cleaning up the come when called rule.
It is very possible to train these guys to be off leash and safe in a safe area and still come.

JL

coming when called
 

Secondary to potty training (95% good) coming when called is a HUGE problem. I am a psychologist and Lily is in the office with me. She will fetch forever and come back for a treat, sit, lay down, shake but COME - she often goes the other way and I have to chase her. REALLY frustrating and dangerous. She has gone out the front door with clients while I'm calling her. Any ideas for inside a building???? I will work on treating every time she comes but I need her to come on command. Outside I wouldn't dare let her off leash - she just bolts (and has a couple times getting out of the car). I tried tying her to my belt for a week but then she just whined which is not acceptable when I'm working. Any quick solutions for whining???? Coming when called inside????

For coming inside, I would train her to come using the same method but do the recalls inside and outside. Once she learns to come, she will know to do it whether inside or out. For whining/barking, I would tell her "quiet" or "shhh" and reward her the instant she gets quiet. Eventually she'll learn "quiet" means... be quiet.

My dog is actually better at COME when we are outside off-leash than she is in the house. We go to the dog park pretty often, and she'll listen to COME just fine there, but at home it is another story.

We used the long lead method to train her to come outside when we decided we wanted to be able to go off-lead at the dog park. We worked at it for several sessions, starting with a leash and increasing to a long length of rope. It really works well.