She just ran and ran...

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Hi everyone..Scary time for my husband. Last night whilst he was walking our 9 month old, usually very obedient girl, the links came out of her pinch collar (she is over 80lb and very strong) and she just bolted. She ran across a busy road and headed home. He was calling and calling and she just kept running. Apparently, her tail was between her legs so she was scared but she kept on going. About a mile later he eventually caught up with her. Now my question is how on earth does one train them not to bolt..Frankie is a really smart puppy (as are all these doodles) and knows most commands but I am at a loss where to begin with this. We did take the puppy training classes but do you think we should do the more advanced?? I already was questioned a shock collar when taking her over the park as she gets distracted and wont return but after reading all the advice, decided 1) no shock collar and 2) no more off leash over the park, but I never anticipated her doing a Houdini on us whilst out walking...Please, please advice needed as to lose our girl would be to lose our heart's desire as we both adore her. She does not bolt out of the front door...she just greets the person, goes onto the front lawn, sniffs then returns very easily, so I know there is hope yet...Thank you for your much needed help in this matter.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It sounds like she needs a lot more training on the recall. I think it will take time and a lot of work, but it can be done. Unless you feel really confident in your training skills, I would get a good trainer and go through the next level of obedience with recall being your main focus. Also, I believe this is one skill that you can never stop training, even after they've mastered it in class. We started out with a 30 foot cotton lead and worked in the park on recall. We did it over and over for a couple of months...with treats as the reward for quick compliance. I still do it with Guinness as part of every walk we take in the park (a few times a week). I also do it around the house a couple times every day. I let him get really involved in something (e.g. chew toy) and I leave the room and call him. I think it creates a "habit" that eventually becomes almost "instinctive". In my mind recall and "drop it" are two key safety commands that must be constantly reinforced. Good luck, I can imagine how frightening this must have been.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't use a pinch collar and I'm not familiar with the ways in which they attach, or how links could come out, but perhaps you could try a Gentle Leader EZ walk harness, a Halti, or a Martingale collar instead; all of these are used to give you more control over the dog and help prevent pulling or the dog getting loose. You should certainly continue to work on Frankie's recall, but it takes a really long time and a lot of work to get a 100% recall, and in the meantime, you want to keep this from happening again.
There is other training you can practice that helps in a situation like the one last night as well...responding to sit, down, stay, "no street", automatic sits every single time you approach a street, etc. But again, it is the rare 9 month old dog (or 2 year old dog, for that matter) who could be reliably trusted off leash in an urban setting. Jack is 5 years old and has never bolted or refused to come when called, even at a 300 acre dog park; he stops on command and sits before crossing any street. But I still am not 100% certain that off-leash near a street, he would not run under certain circumstances.
Try using an Easy Walk harness or one of the other types of restraints I mentioned; I have yet to hear of any dog getting away from their owners while wearing one.
I'm glad things turned out all right last night.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I know that continued training will be the long term answer, but you need a short term solution. If I'm not sure how this would have worked, but we were told/taught in class that in a case like this if you drop to the ground and start screaming (loudly) like you are hurt that the dog will always come back to you to see if you are ok! We have tested that theory in the yard, but never in a situation like yours. Not sure if it would have worked, but might be worth a try if it were to ever happen again.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Another short term solution is similar to as Lucy and Sophie's mom suggests. Our trainer says to never run after your dog if they bolt - she claims they think it is a game of chase, so they bolt the other way. In your case, it sounds like your Frankie was spooked; however, it could still work. You turn and run the opposite direction and act like you find something really cool and say "oh my goodness Frankie, look at what I found" in a really high-pitched, excited voice. Peri actually bolted across our parking lot (near a main street) around 5 months old. I did that and she came to me.
We practice recall all the time and she is good in our house, in the backyard, even the dogpark. But random situations, I am just not so sure. So we always walk her with a harness to keep her secure. Peri is 10 months, so they are similar in age. We continue to work on training, but I think it is really, really tough to get a dog to come 100% of the time. Of course that is our goal, but we have to think practically here.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My trainer told me the same thing. She recommended this in an "emergency situation" where the dog is not responding to the recall. The key is reacting and getting their attention before they get too far away.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Exactly - emergency situation and you have to get the attention fast (before they run across a street or approach a dangerous situation).

[laurie lehr]

It sounds like the pinch collar was not put on correctly, I would contact a trainer to make sure your using it correctly.Also your RECALL is very important don't ever think that you've mastered this , keep treats with you at all times and practice every where also praticing BY ME witch keeps the dog close to you when needed .

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This link might be helpful....

http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/dog-training-come.html

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I guess I should point out I'm definitely not recommending the training program they are selling on this site...I just thought the write up on training the recall was pretty good and actually very close to the direction I received from my trainer.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I would recommend more training. How good is Frankie on the DOWN & RECALL commands? You can combine these commands for Frankie to learn "Drop on Recall". It is basically teaching your dog to immediately go to a Down position no matter what they are doing. Years ago it literally saved the life of one of my dogs. She was spooked by a neighbors clanging garbage can. I shouted DOWN and she dropped to the ground before running into a street full of traffic.

Here is a good article that explains the Drop on Recall command.

[BG and Gavin]

Re: the pinch collar - it may be too loose if it came apart. Also you should always wear a back up collar when using a pinch collar. One way to do this is to buy a choke collar that is larger than the pinch collar and attach the leash to both. The choke collar won't "engage" because it is larger, unless the pinch collar comes apart. Another way to do it is to leave a flat collar on her and use a carabiner to attach the ring of the pinch collar to the ring of the flat collar. Attach the leash only to the pinch collar and if it comes apart it will be linked to the flat collar. Hope this explanation makes sense. If not I will try an post a picture of our "set up" later.

[Adina P]

Hi Frances,

When I use the pinch collar I typically put on a chain slip collar (aka "choke chain) as well for safety and hook the leash to each of them. I don't have a photo to share with you, but just imagine the pinch high on the neck, the choke chain below that and the leash attached to the link in both. I do that wholly for safety and not because the choke chain adds anything.

I agree with everyone else who said more training is important. You said: "Frankie is a really smart puppy (as are all these doodles) and knows most commands" The difference between 'knowing' a command and obeying a command is an enormous amount of training. The recall is a very tough one to master to the point where your dog would obey in such a situation, but worth training for. Other things like "sit" "stay" etc are also useful. But the training will have to go beyond just practicing around the house and other 'easy' areas. I would sign up for advanced classes for sure if you are able.