Oh, my little Emily (4 yrs) old.....

[Lisa Carroll]

My daughter likes to hold the front door open while she's calling her sister, and what do you think Dunkachino see's?  An opportunity to take-off.

 

He runs in the neighbor's yard and doesn't come when I call him?  Any ideals from keeping him from running?  He doens't run far and we live on a cul-de-sac, but there's always the first for an accident and I don't want anything to happen to him. I ususally tell my girls to run the opporsite direction and than he follows them.  But, I want him to come when I call him!

 

Thanks!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh - just posted and it is gone!  What I said was that recall is a hard-won skill that many of us continue to work on - especially when "more fun things are around."  To begin recall, I would leash the dog and call his name and gently pull him toward you - then praise.  For  "get out the door" emergencies, I would keep a favorite treat by the door so I could grab it as I ran after the dog.  I would call him and treat.  Never scold the dog because they will NOT come when you call.

[Adina P]

There's two things that need to be trained in your dog:

1) NEVER going out the front door without permission

2) Coming when called.

Neither one of these has a quick fix but requires a concerted, systematic training plan.   I would sign up for obedience classes because obedience rarely is a quick fix or spot-fix kind of thing.  You need to train the whole dog in overall obedience rather than just one or two commands.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

One of my breeder's gaurdian dogs - just the most beautiful doodle ever - was killed just this way.  A family member opened the front door upon seeing the rest of the family pull up in their car, parked on the street after being gone.  The beloved pet ran into the road to greet them and was hit and killed.  I would put an instant STOP to the front door being opened by your daughter.  Work on training your doodle but no matter what - safety comes first - before there is a horrid accident. 

[Lauren, Scooby and Bella]

Lisa, I hope you don't take offense to this, but my first suggestion is to make some new house rules now that you have a dog.   Even a 4 year old can understand new rules to protect her puppy from harm.  Holding the door open to call her sister and having your dog escape and go running thru the neighborhood could end in disaster for the dog.  I'm sure your sweet Emily would also be devistated if the dog got out and was hurt or lost (or worse) because she was holding the door open to call her syster.  I would consider making a list of new, very important rules for the children and adults in your home to follow to make sure no harm comes to your puppy.  It's never too young to teach children about safety and responsibility to protect the things we love.  The second suggestions would be obediance training for the dog so he learns to come when he is called.  That is one of the most important things you can teach your dog  The whole obediance class experience is a very good way not only to teach your dogs the basic commands, but to socialize the dog as well.  It can also be a great bonding experience between you and your dog.  Hope this helps with your situation.  Good luck to you!