dog running off!

[patchholder]

This probably sounds stupid to some of you guys but I need help with my dog he keeps running off. He is a 8 month old Australian sheopard. he is tied up probably 3-4 hours a day in the morning and then I am home I un hook him and as long as I am playing with him or spending time with him he's fine but If I don't watch him for 20 minutes or more he's runs off. I have tried everything, spanking, scolding, kennel time and even a push button shock collar. Just today he ran to my folks house through the woods wich is about 3/4 of a mile away. I don't know what to do I can't have him running.

[Doc E]

The dog needs a kennel run and strict Obedience. Scolding him, spanking etc does no good --- and is particularly bad if it occurs when he comes back.
Dogs must either be in a kennel run or under constant supervision.............Period.



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[HikeNHunter]

Doc is right, a kennel run is best if you can't be with him constantly, training gets my vote though. I live in a small town with a small (29' X 110' ) yard, while my dog is never left unattended we can soetimes be distracted by certain things. He has in these moments crossed property lines buthe has been trained to come immediately when I call. 4 years i'vehad him he has not run frumme.I have no fence, no underground fencing yet he has never roamed farther than the neighbor to either side of my property. This is due to the training he received when he came to live here. that traing used a small innoteck electrical collar, a very long peice of check cord, and a very firm " NO" from me. You might want to try an underground fence. Some people around here have them and they swear by them. Whatever you do be consistent in the training and all will be well

[Mite]

Dogs will be dogs. Leave a puppy alone and it will wander off looking for stimilation. If you have toanswer the phone or something, tie up the dog or put the dog in a kennel. In your situation, thepuppy takes off, 20 min. later you get him and scold him.He'll won't know what's it for. It's like you getting scolded for something you did on tuesdayoflast year.

Stop with shock collar. Don't use a shock collar unless you know what you're doing. A shock collar if for reinforcement. Your pup has to know what a shock is for. Indiscriminant shocking will make your pup funny. Put the collar down and start teaching your dog to come to you. If you need help teaching your dog to come, then ask.

[busyhunter56]

I have the same problem. I have an 8 month old chocolate lab and when he was younger he would stay in the yard without a problem, but now that hes older he'll run off everytime if he isnt chained up. We were considering an electric fence. What should i do?

[farmchick]

We had the same problem with a German Sherpherd. Once we turned our backs, gone thru the woods to the neighbors. He was getting lots of attention from them when I was gone to work. Trick is CATCHING them when they are going. If you whip them when they return, they will end up gone for good. I took my dog out and walked him on a leash around his boundaries every day. When he pulled toward his retreat, I would give him a sharp jerk, and a firm no. It took a while for me to release him for a test. (shock collar on him) but stayed in the yard, and just waited for him to attempt to leave. Once he hit the line, a low zap and a no, pretty much handled it. Hope any of this helps. Your question isn't stupid. Every dog is different. Hope you can find something that works soon.

[cmccauley1]

In your situation, thepuppy takes off, 20 min. later you get him and scold him.He'll won't know what's it for. It's like you getting scolded for something you did on tuesdayoflast year.

Well you are half right. If your dog runs away and then you scold him when he comes back or you retrieve him, you have just reinforced that coming back to you is a very very bad thing.

It may seem counter intuitive,but if your dog runs away you MUST praise him when he comes back....every single time...no matter how long or far he went. You even have to praise him if you had to get in the car and drive around for 2 hours to find him! In a matter of weeks he will begin to associate coming back to you with praise and he will be eager to do it.

My fox terrier used to run off all of the time, and boy is he fast. But, with consitent praise he now only wanders off 10 yards at the most and comes back to me immediately upon my call. It is really amazing how well this works.

Additionally, you need to teach him to STAY. Keep the sessions short at first, then lengthen the times he stays from seconds to minutes. Then have him stay while you turn your back. Then have him stay while you walk off a few yards. Then have him stay while you are completely out of sight.


This may take several weeks or even months for a dog with bad habits, but it can be done. Just be sure to work off of praise. Scolding, in my experience does not work nearly as fast as usingconsistant and abundant praise. Dogs have a high drive to please their masters. They have been bred this way for centuries. Use it to your advantage.


My brittany was excellent at STAY and would sit there all day if you wanted him to. Unfortunately the fox terrier is so hyperactive that he just can't make himself sit for very long. He actually starts shaking with excitement and keeps shaking harder and harder until he just can't stand it any more. Funny to watch! Since he comes when called it isn't really a big deal that he can't stay for more than 20 seconds.

[jake smith09]

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[patchholder]

Thanks for all the info guys I will take this to mind I thinks he starting to get better already.