Training your dog that running away isn't a game...

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

No it was a huge dog that if excited could have hurt someone even playfully. This dog had a neck the size of my waist and a dog can only achieve pull in relation to their suez and weight so no harm was done.

The clue here is learning to deal with distraction when excited. That was my main job when I trained dogs for the police. Dogs of all sizes need to learn about distraction. My little dog now looks for me when anything exciting is going on to get her cue. That has taken a lot of training and most obedience clubs now teach a distraction class. Makes like much safer for any size dog.

Police and military dogs are usually trained to be used as one of a plethora of tools and their training is usually quite different from training a pet, especially training a toy dog. The pet dog, be he large or tiny, can be trained to "stop" on command in a variety of ways that don't involve aversives or learning "the hard way" but they learn the lesson just the same.

[windwalker]

On leash "Come", "Stay" and such till 100%+, no yanking needed, just a "No" command and maybe a rattle can, distraction tests as obedience increases. Then off leash in a small confined area till perfect and again distraction tests. Then on leash again with distraction in larger confined area like fenced back yard and off leash then in a strange confined area like park ball field that completely fenced.


Always stop on winning note and lengthen sessions slowly, stop before you lose dogs attention. I used to train Protection animals, you have to have 110% obedience before you go to protection phase. Clients would get frustrated that I would not start till dog was at least a year old and client could demonstrate 110% control of dog.


Training a service dog can take 18 months, so training a pet is cake.

[yorkietalkjilly]

It's true - training the dog first and having him under the trainer's total control is the essential key. The body follows the brain when training a dog for sure but just because a dog learned he can't run off when he reaches the end of the lead through jerking himself down or told "uh oh" or petted on the head or whatever, it sure doesn't mean he's going to reliably stop every time when off lead unless he's been trained to stop off lead and under all different circumstances. But as far as I've observed, anyone with patience and persistence and the dog's respect can humanely train a dog to reliably stop in place and stay there until he's approached and picked up or released. Heck, even I have done it over and over and I haven't a single credential in training, protection or otherwise!

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

It's true - training the dog first and having him under the trainer's total control is the essential key. The body follows the brain when training a dog for sure but just because a dog learned he can't run off when he reaches the end of the lead through jerking himself down or told "uh oh" or petted on the head or whatever, it sure doesn't mean he's going to reliably stop every time when off lead unless he's been trained to stop off lead and under all different circumstances. But as far as I've observed, anyone with patience and persistence and the dog's respect can humanely train a dog to reliably stop in place and stay there until he's approached and picked up or released. Heck, even I have done it over and over and I haven't a single credential in training, protection or otherwise!

It is doable but must be done in a way where you are certain that before going off leash that you have total confidence in your training and that you have full control of your pup, but as you can see by my previous post even a well trained dog can run off. In my own defense though if I has seen her headed toward the road to follow the neighbor boy it would have only taken one vocal command to call her back to me. I use their name and "HERE NOW" or "that's far Enough" . .

[sandy simpson]

I would never let my yorkies off leash. Dogs are unpredictable and even well trained dogs if they see something and want it they are gone. Or another dog attacks them. No protection. I would never forgive myself if my yorkie was off leash got hurt or ran off. Please consider the. Reasons and keep your dog safe. I am very protective but you have to be.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by sandy simpson

I would never let my yorkies off leash. Dogs are unpredictable and even well trained dogs if they see something and want it they are gone. Or another dog attacks them. No protection. I would never forgive myself if my yorkie was off leash got hurt or ran off. Please consider the. Reasons and keep your dog safe. I am very protective but you have to be.

In life it happens that when you are away in the hospital or just living daily life, dogs can get out on their own and begin to run. If they are not ever trusted enough to train them to stop outside off lead, many of them usually just run in total, wild excitement until they are gone and then they are totally at the mercy of whatever happens to them - big dog, cars, you name it. But I totally understand that not everyone wants to get into that level of training where your dog actually wants to stop when you tell it to outside. Takes a good bit of work and a time. Yes, you take a chance but some say you take just as big or bigger a chance by never training them what to do if they are ever out on their own off lead and you yell "stop!". Many an untrained dog would just keep running.

[windwalker]

Now first I agree 100% that off leash in town is wrong, against the law in most places and annoying to people like me. I always walk my dogs on leash in town because its the law and because you never know when a stray dog will pop up or a off leash dog with idiot owner. How many Dog owners walk their dogs off leash and can't even call them for supper, let alone get them under control as you approach?


If you develop a trusting bond and work your dog regular, you can get your dog to obey no matter what the distraction. Now when we go out away from people and the area is clear enough to check for snakes, we always let the dogs run free but under control. But I have always trained them to obey instantly all commands and run them at random when ever playing with them so its constantly reinforced. You need to get them to a point that they love to work, even doing tricks is work. Your dog will be happier, more secure and so will you.

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

In life it happens that when you are away in the hospital or just living daily life, dogs can get out on their own and begin to run. If they are not ever trusted enough to train them to stop outside off lead, many of them usually just run in total, wild excitement until they are gone and then they are totally at the mercy of whatever happens to them - big dog, cars, you name it. But I totally understand that not everyone wants to get into that level of training where your dog actually wants to stop when you tell it to outside. Takes a good bit of work and a time. Yes, you take a chance but some say you take just as big or bigger a chance by never training them what to do if they are ever out on their own off lead and you yell "stop!". Many an untrained dog would just keep running.

Totally agree with this statement !


On the other hand even as well trained as my pups are with the addition of 2 new dogs close to our home who run free all the time, they are never on a leash and clearly are not as well trained as their owners would believe. I need to consider the consequences of what might happen if I take my babies outside our fenced in yard off leash. I must admit that little insolent a few weeks ago with Ruby really scared me... and before I will allow them off leash again, we need a refresher course. So, I'll be working with Ruby on her boundaries once again. Anyways I think that its always good to give them a refresher course as well as maybe introduce some new rules and commands just so that I know that they get it...


It is and has always has been my goal to keep them safe !!