Daisy ran off in the park for the first time! :(

[Jordan & Daisy]

I just posted this in the training group but then realized puppy madness might be more appropriate-

We finished puppy training classes with Daisy and she listens GREAT when she wants to, but the problem is when she doesn't want to!!

We take her to a local park and let her run around off leash (leash still attached but we aren't holding it) a few times a week. Normally she runs circles around us or very close to us and never goes far but yesterday she TOOK OFF! My husband had to go running after her and found her right next to the parking lot which terrified me.

She didn't listen to "stay" or "come", and she didn't care that I had treats. All the training she's had pretty much gets thrown out the window when we are in the park. She also pulls us tremendously on the leash when we go for walks.

I am at a loss, what are we doing wrong? Is this a puppy thing? She's only 4.5 months, will this just get worse?

[Jordan & Daisy]

Thank you!!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Sounds like your pup is the pack leader, lol! I read The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell and she mentions a dog running away situation. She saw kids chasing their dog who was headed for traffic and had to stop the kids from giving chase, as that only spurred on the dog more. She explains dogs want to be with their pack and ultimately will choose this. If they are in front when you enter or exit, walk, etc. then they are taking on responsibility as pack leader - but we need to be the calm pack leader, which is best for us and dog. Lots of ways to establish this. I would recc the book. Good luck!

[Jordan & Daisy]

I will, thank you!

[Jordan & Daisy]

This is all such great advice guys, thank you. I feel silly now for letting her off leash but every dog there isn't on a leash- HOWEVER I now am realizing that they aren't puppies!!! She is always the only puppy, stupid me.

[Jordan & Daisy]

Lol so true!

[Tracey & Spike]

Don't feel bad at all. I had Spike lose last night on his training line in our back yard. Once again the little hoover got into something and do you think he'd come?! heck no! Well he did.. after I chased after him trying to stomp on his line and slipped on ice and landed on my rear. JUST missing a poop pile. Then I became fun again. Puppies! OY!

He too will listen in class. Once we are in a real world setting? Nope!

[Gem's Jewel]

My goodness don't feel bad at all :/ She had gained your trust, but like children who make poor choices, will need to earn it back! She is lucky to have a family who cares so much about her.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

You have no idea how common it is for pups/dogs, to listen at class, and then, all training goes out the window once they are out in the real world. Time to start training at the park! She should never be off leash until she has total recall.
At the park, with a leash attached, put her in a sit-stay and/or down stay..(.change it up, so she doesn't get bored or anticipate what you are going to ask of her). Start by walking backing up from her....and call her to you. PRAISE! Lots of reps! You can shorten the distance occasionally, but back up further and further...each time praising the heck out of her. She is still very young and will have the attention span of a flea. If she breaks towards you or to go elsewhere, correct her by bringing her back to the original sit spot. Patience and consistency are key!

[Marie and Hoka]

Oh no!!!  I must say I would never trust Hoka, because he makes it clear at home he only listens when he feels like it!! LOL

As soon as the foster dogs are adopted, I'm getting a trainer to come to our home to work with us.  He is excellent in class, terrible around the house.  (Lil Stinker!!!)

[Jordan & Daisy]

Thank you all much for your thoughtful input. I did what Adina P suggested and took Daisy back to the park today ON LEASH and practiced her obedience commands there with some tasty treats. It was really great, she listened well and I specifically practiced her commands when people were around, riding by on bikes, etc. She was reluctant at first but figured out that I wasn't messing around and she listened!

I learned my lesson!!! I'm gonna keep practicing with her. Thank you all. :)

[Crystal about Murphy Bach]

This is a hard one for me, because Murphy will try that with me, he is 7 mo old, and we do the same thing, let him run off leash in the cul-de-sac, pocket park near our house and at the dog park(which is slightly different) , he will run in circles, then he will bolt off in one directions but no more then 50 feet or so, he will stop and look at me... I tried in the past to walk up to him and he just runs further, so I started a new pattern... Before he even has time to stop and turn around to look at me, I start running/ walking away from him and saying" Come on let's go"... This has worked everytime since.. I just don't go to him anymore, I make him come to me. I feel like when I try and get towards him he thinks I am playing. 

But then again, I have never had him run so far I can't see him that would scare me. 

[Jordan & Daisy]

Crystal what you are describing is exactly what we normally do! We have never chased her, if she sees us turning our backs she immediately starts running towards us. But yesterday it was so bizarre because she just took off and didn't even look back, we stood there dumbfounded for a minute, thinking she would return but she didn't. I am glad I didn't have to learn the hard way and that she is okay. I do not think we will be letting her off leash for a very long time now.