I could have killed Teddy today!

[mizzwanned]

I really could have! I was at the park walking him, Livie and London and I was sitting on the grass when all of a sudden I saw something on London's face. I thought she had a tick on her and I tried taking it off(it wasnt a tick) but anyway when i turned around Teddy was GONE and at the other side of the park going after this little white dog. He just wanted to play with it, i assume it was a girl. I could have died because it is a park surrounded by cars everywhere and Teddy doesn't listen. I asked the owner if he could step on his leash and luckily he did and I went to get him. 2 minutes after while I was trying to gather all the dogs leashes and untangle them and catch my breath and settle my heart rate lol Teddy ran after the dog again! This time he actually got OUT of his harness somehow, it was a little loose I guess cause I shaved all his body hair. And off he went after the dog again. OMG I could have DIED!!! The owner picked up his dog and Teddy was jumping up and down, good thing he kept his attention and he didn't go off wandering. I was able to grab him but I had to sit down and take a breather cause i almost lost my mind. I will NEVER walk the 3 dogs together again!!! This is why I usually walk the girls together and Teddy on his own!!! Geesh!!

[tjdmom]

The most important thing you can teach your dogs is the "here" command. Only use it for things like this. Don't use it to put them in their crate or give them a bath. But practice outside and wherever and whenever you can. I use my 2 fingers and I say here and they get a treat when they come running and touch my fingers and believe me, they do come running. I highly recommend doing this. I do have to say though that even mine might not come "here" if they were chasing after another dog.... I have to keep practicing this....

[Doodlebug]

OMG I know how you feel. Daisy got out of her harness when we were walking on the street when she was a puppy. She was a runner and luckily she didn't realize that the harness was off and I came up behind her and got it back on before she knew what was happening. Now I dont think she would run if she got loose because she responds to the command "stop". I'm so happy this turned out good for you. It can be a heart stopper for sure.

[BanditSocks2]

That's our goal to master for the summer... for both pups. Bandit does it great on the 30 foot lead, but is pretty bad off leash and Nala is awful. I want to do it at the dog park but have to go when there aren't many dogs there so I can bring treats in.

[BellarousasMom]

I've been working with Bella with the "come" command. She does good when on the 20 foot lead and she is getting better off of it till that little nose of hers catches the scent of a rabbit. Yesterday I bought a treat bag to wear. So when I go out I will take it. Usually I have her undivided attention with the treats. Do keep working with Teddy, surely he'll "come" around. :-)

[LDandPasquale]

It's the weirdest thing..but Pasquale knows the "Stop" command. I NEVER taught him this..i dont know how he learned it lol If he goes off running...all i have to do is yell STOP! and he freezes and slinks to the ground. It's the strangest thing..but thank god it works!

[stingraylady]

Scary for sure, glad everyone is safe.

[diane boden]

Glad it turned out alright, with a little wanderer of my own I know just how you feel.

[Roccosmommy]

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale

It's the weirdest thing..but Pasquale knows the "Stop" command. I NEVER taught him this..i dont know how he learned it lol If he goes off running...all i have to do is yell STOP! and he freezes and slinks to the ground. It's the strangest thing..but thank god it works!

That is so strange, because Rocco also responds to STOP, yet he was never trained on it. He's not 100%, but he sure listens to that better than "come", which we've worked on for months now . Maybe it's less about the word and more about the sound/tone that goes with it?

[LDandPasquale]

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

That is so strange, because Rocco also responds to STOP, yet he was never trained on it. He's not 100%, but he sure listens to that better than "come", which we've worked on for months now . Maybe it's less about the word and more about the sound/tone that goes with it?

Funny you say that...cause Pasquale does NOT respond to come...he sorta just stares at me like "what the hek are you talking about lady?" But Stop works every time lol

[MaddieBoo]

That must have been so scary!

For Lucas we have an "emergency recall" command. Basically you choose a distinct word that you do not use in everyday life. Ours is BOOMERANG.

For the first week or so of training with it, you train 3 times a day. For the actual practice you YELL the word several times (BOOMERANG BOOMERANG BOOMERANG) when the dog is in another room. When the dog comes, you give 12-15 treats over 30 seconds while praising verbally as well. This is important because this command and praise needs to be distinct from everything else you train your dog to do. This has to be special.

So you do that 3 times a day for the first week, once a day for the next week or 2 depending on how solid you feel they've got it. Then, you practice it once a week forever, so that the dog never forgets.

This has worked marvelously for Lucas, and although we have never had to use it in a real emergency, it gives me such comfort to know that if I ever needed to I would be able to call him at the drop of a hat (and knowing 12 treats are coming up, boy does he run!). I would definitely recommend this for ensuring Teddy comes back quickly if you ever really need him to

[LuvmyYorkies2]

My girls will kind of freeze when they hear me yell to them to do so but there's nothing like when they frist see a stray cat, rabbit, deer or whatever. It's like they turn into the incredible hulk, extra strength, pop out of the harness, etc. LOL I usually try to look ahead so that if I do see a dog, cat, rabbit from a distance, I can be proactive at getting & holding their attention.

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

That is so strange, because Rocco also responds to STOP, yet he was never trained on it. He's not 100%, but he sure listens to that better than "come", which we've worked on for months now . Maybe it's less about the word and more about the sound/tone that goes with it?

I think there is something to what you are saying. In our training class we learned the words "halt" and "heel". Mine wouldn't respond when I said these words. I saw my friend using STOP and STAY CLOSE instead so I tried it. They both responded to stop and stay close, words beginning with "S" and not "H". I think the "H" was too soft or something and it just didn't get their attention.

[mscat]

so glad everything turned out well. my gosh how scary that must of been !

[LunasMomma]

Is he TRYING to prematurely gray your hair?!?! Thank goodness all is well, I know I would've needed a cocktail or something after all that

Scary!