bolt and run

[Sandra]

Ozzie ran for the umpteenth time this year. My hubbie thought I had him on the leash and I didn't. He came in using his wheelchair and Ozzie bolted. Thank God we have great neighbors. Even the ones we never met before. People drive slow by our house to see if Ozzie is in the driveway and yell "Ozzie".
I just saw on Its the Dog or Me that you have to teach him the space around the door is my space, face him and keep your hand out like a stop sign. Any other ideas??? I know he needs exercise and don't walk him every day. I work and then had four operations in the last year on my feet. Our dog walker moved. Any other ideas?

[Sandra]

Thanks for all the good advice and I will try them. We dont' have a fence. We use a tie out because we are in a trailer park. I don't think the shorter fences would keep him in because of how high he can jump. We have a 20ft tie out but I will check at Walmart. I would like to get one of thinner ones but am afraid to use on him because the weight is for a smaller dog. Does this make a difference?
We do have a scooter but our shed is way in the back and I have started to put in a path with patio blocks but have not finished it. I make Ozzie sit and wait while I come in the door but my husband forgot about it.
What kind of leash do you use when you are on scooter so he does not get wrapped around the scooter? I saw someone with a flexi leash but it was used on a little beagle.
He is a sweetie, both the dog and hubbie. Ozzie likes to lay on two floor pillows and then kneads the pillows with his front paws with a pooh bear in his mouth. Does any one else have a dog that does this? Thanks for all of the comments! I love this site.

[Lorraine Bromley]

ontop of the training we installed an electrical fence system. atleast then the danger is limited for him. i use a scooter when i am bad. he runs full speed beside me really good excercise, maybe sttart training him with pulling carts or something high work load and less time needed to tire him out

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Wow sorry to hear this about Ozzie, these are the best two methods for training you can do with Ozzie that I have taught my dogs, I learned this years ago and they are the same commands Victoria uses on It's Me or the Dog...Using the Wait command, but you must work with Ozzie everyday with this for a few times a day till he gets it and have friends come over and work with you...1st give him a wait spot..once you tell him to wait..he is not allowed to move from that spot if he gets up you need to either body block him into siting again or have a short leash on him where you can put him back in the wait spot and tell him to sit and wait, you don't open for anyone if he is moving from that spot, only time he can move to greet anyone is after that door is closed. For a great strong recall that is really effective (Dogs love to chase, why they take off on us and have this high drive to chase other things...so get his attention to chase you) is have Ozzie on a tie out leash (you can get 20 to 30ft ones at walmarts for $8.00), let him wonder from you...when he thinks he is in control...Call his name and a quick tug on the leash...run backwards towards your house or where you want him..if you want him to come into you..you only need to take a few steps backwards (or if you have to be stationary..ok..but be sure to always use the high pitch voice) and gather the leash up as he is runing into you...also make a loud funny noise like upupupupupup in a high pitched voice right after you call Ozzie and start to go backwards..make it exciting..he wants to run to only you....that noise will make him stop and look at you and want to follow you...also when your working with him...give him high praise treats like hot dog or chicken..my two love bacon and zukes.

[Adina P]

I'm sorry...that's scary when dogs get loose.

I would definitely start by practicing around the doorway...but have someone hold a long leash or hook a leash to the leg of a heavy couch so he can't actually sneak past you. Practice daily and in your mind pretend you are the QUEEN and NOBODY can get past you. Really have an attitude of "heck no, Ozzie..you don't even want to CONSIDER walking out this door until I say so!" No need to actually say that...just think it in your mind =)

But otherwise...he needs to learn a SOLID sit and STAY and that's worth practicing too. As well as the 'COME' command but I would hire a trainer to help you IF possible. As there are a lot of details that are hard to convey in writing alone. However, if nothing else go to the library and check out some books on training ... read how each one teaches the recall and pick one that you think makes sense and that you can DO. Then practice and practice LOTS.

[Phoebe's Mom]

I am sorry to hear you are in such a tough spot with Ozzie. I know that my Phoebe LOVES to play fetch with her Wubba indoors when it is raining. I also try to work on her commands when we do not have enough outdoor time. That seems to tire her mind a little. I hope that helps!