How to Keep a Dog from Running Away
Working on the Recall Problem with the Stubborn Canine
Most communities have reasonable leash laws, yet there are times when even the most well behaved dog chooses the distraction over its owner. Why? This is principally a matter of the owner failing to set the tone for the relationship.
Teaching the Dog the Come Command
As obvious as it sounds, some dogs actually don't know what the word "come" means. On any given day in almost any park in the world, someone can be heard shouting, "Fido, come. Fido, come on. FIDO, get back here!" It is likely the dog has never been drilled on the recall ("come" command), and the owner has probably not thought through the idea of teaching it.
Dogs learn best as puppies, but they can be taught how to come on command at any age. An ideal time to teach the recall is between eight and twelve weeks.
Make it a game. It should be fun for dogs to come, especially in the early stages. Hide and seek works well. This can be done from room to room in the house or apartment. When the dog finds his owner, he should be praised heavily.
Begin with an exceptional liver reward. They do exist, but it is the rare canine that will not respond to boiled beef or chicken liver (cut into small, thumbnail-sized pieces). With the dog in a sit-stay facing the owner (handler), begin with a six foot recall (the length of a good leash, which the dog should be wearing.)
Using the dog's name first, bend from the waist and hold the liver at the dog's eye level. Say, "[Spot], come." When the dog arrives, the handler says, "Sit." The instant the dog sits it receives the liver. Alternating the exercises using no liver and just a hand signal (arm outstretched with palm down, quickly brought toward chest) is a good idea. It teaches teaches the animal that it is okay to come to come even without food.
Reinforcing the Come Command with the Dog
Once the dog understands what "come" means, consistent practice with high repetition is in order. Most dogs do better with a minimum of six weeks of daily exercises on the recall. Gradually, the dog is given more and more distance to complete his task.
The liver rewards become less frequent and are eventually eliminated and replaced by the handler's sincere praise. These distance sessions are best conducted in a safe area to eliminate the possibility of injury to the dog. After the animal has mastered the recall, weekly sessions of five or ten minutes to maintain results are helpful. It can also prevent the dog from running into traffic.
The Come Command as Part of an Obedience Program
Obedience provides structure. Dogs need structure in order to comprehend their role in the pack. Packs have leaders: alpha, beta, and so on. Owners that utilize other basic commands (heel, sit, stay, down, place, etc.) are in a better position to obtain and maintain their alpha status in the pack. This ensures leadership and can possibly save the dog's life.
How the owner defines himself or herself to the dog will determine the relationship. It will in turn decide whether the dog obeys or disobeys when it hears the command to “come.”
Come Command: Pup's Basics
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