Help with my little escape artist, PLEASE!
 

Hello there. I have a 10 month old YT and he is a real handful when it comes to keeping him inside the house. We have a large backyard where he can play, but the second the front door is left slightly open, out he goes. He is so super quick that he is too fast for us to catch. We are super aware of making sure to pick him up before we open the door but, sometimes, he just sees that oppertunity and makes a break for it. We live in a neighborhood and there is a street right out front. The main problem is that we he does get out the front door, he runs aware and WILL NOT COME BACK. He runs in the opposite direction and acts as if he cannot hear us calling his name. It is getting to be a big problem. Any ideas? Thanks and happy holidays.

I highly suggest teaching him commands like come and wait and yield or halt or whatever words you want to use if he doesn't already know so. Ours does not leap out the door b/c every time before she leaves, we make her 'sit' until we release her when the door opens. When she plays off leash in our cul-de-sac (no cars around), if she takes off and is in front of us, I say Zoe wait! and she stops and waits for me to catch up. These commands are HIGHLY necessary. During training, while you're walking to the door, leash him and teach him these commands, if he does what you ask, give him a treat and say good boy.

Id say more training on his commands too :)

Maybe he wants to explore. Dogs have a need to roam and explore new things. Smart breeds like YT get bored quickly. He is in the fenced back yard every day, it is not mentally stimulating for him any more. I think that maybe you should take him for a long walk every day, and let him see what is out there. Get a leash and have him sit by the front door before you put it on him and take him for a walk. I think that once he knows that he will have an opportinity to go out then he may not feel the need to flee from the front door. He is very smart and does not come when you call him because he knows that he is just going back inside. I hope that this helps I know you must be concerned for his saftey when he runs, and must be tired of chasing him.

Tia has/had (it's winter now so the cold air helps!) this problem. We have to pick her up everytime the doorbell rings until we finish solving this problem.

For now what we did was teach her targeting. Start by holding a treat in your hand and let her sniff your closed hand. When her nose touches your hand, click and treat. Eventually point your finger to the ground and c&t if her nose touches your hand. Work towards standing up and having her sit where you point (instead of touching) and then c&t. Then choose a place near your door and target it as a place for her to sit and stay, increasing the amount of time before you c&t. Gradually add rattling the door handle, or having someone ring the door bell for you (we didn't get this far yet!). If you are going to get to teh point where you are opening your door, keep a leash on her so in cse she makes a break for it you can step on the leash.

I also saw an episode of Dog Whisperer where the following advice was given. Show the dog that YOU own the door (it doesn't belong to your dog). So anytime she approaches the door, to "shush" her and make her sit beside you. Eventually have someone ring the doorbell for you and make sure she is sitting quietly several feet away from the door and to maintain that position while you open the door. He also had the family make the dog sit (with a leash) on the front step of the door, without holding the leash and not allow her to stand or walk away (by using the "shushing" sound). Also the dog was not allowed to enter without looking to the owner first (like for permission). Eventually this dog would not step beyond they doorway.

Hope this helps!

Check out this product, it's called Four Paws walk thru metal gate. I found it on www.terrificpets.com in the gates and doors section. They had a few that I will be checking into getting for our house to keep Jeter safe.

first things first

:yorkietal Welcome to YorkieTalk :yorkietal

I would strongly recommend starting with some basic obedience. It could save his life.

This is the first time I have mentioned this on YT, but about 2 months after my beloved Howard went to his forever home, his new mommy called me hysterical -- it seems that Howard dashed out the door and into a busy road where he was killed by a car. The driver was so crushed -- he couldn't stop. I was devestated. I loved Howard

A little training and a few basic commands like SIT and STAY would have saved this precious life. PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

Yes, welcome to YT!!! :) Mine used to be terrible with going out the door but I have been working with them and telling them to "wait" at the door. That meaning they have to sit before I open the door and then THEY do not go in or out first... I do. We don't have it perfected yet, but they are much better than they used to be.

It sounds like he does need to learn the basic commands so he will come to you when you call instead of running away. That can be SO frustrating and dangerous.


Cindy... I'm so sorry to hear about Howard. :( How awful. I can imagine all the things running through your head. (and heart) That is so sad. How long ago was that?

I had the exact same problem with all my yorkies at about that age! The only thing I figured to do is put them in a gated area if I needed to open the door first. Fortunately mine outgrew this phase and they are fine now (95% of the time anyways! haha) It was very scarey though EVERY time they got out!! Good Luck!