I just got a dog 3 days- we keep it outside chained up, and let it run when we get home for a little while. When we let him off the chain, he stays close to us. My question is - I'd like to eventually get to the point when I don't have to chain him up at all. About how long should I wait before decide to let him off of his chain all the time? We live out in the country and off the highway so I"m not worried about that. I just don't want him to run away, yet I don't want him chained up all day. I feel bad for him.
2006-07-28 04:39:03 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
http://www.invisiblefence.com/
he'll need a small shock collar but he can run free. after a few small zaps he'll learn where the fence is and not go near it
2006-07-28 04:44:46 · answer #1 · answered by darkenbinary 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first, i don't think he is ready for that yet, nor anytime in the near future.
dog training is a process that takes a really long time. just b/c your dog knows how to sit doesn't mean he won't forget the command if you don't use it regularly...make sense??
so, i would recommend getting an invisible fence for him. this way he won't need to be chained up at all. he can run free in the area you designate with the underground fence.
most likely, if you make the area large enough he will not even notice his boundaries. but, be sure he understands where they are by taking him to the fence line and training him on the boundaries.
also, leash commands can help, too.
if you work with him on the "come" command, that will help if he does run off.
so, get a long leash, about 20 feet. then let him roam on the leash and then call him "come, (name). come here (name). Come here boy)." and make it the nicest happiest voice in the world. even if you are mad at your dog, the "come" command should always sound happy, b/c your dog isn't going to come if he thinks he's in trouble.
as soon as he comes tell him "good come (name). good come." and give him a treat. a small smelly chewy treat that he can eat quickly is best.
then, let him out on the leash again and call him again. each time he will start to understand more, that if i come, i will get a treat. after time he won't need a treat, he will just know to come when called....but that's after a long time.
i've noticed some dogs will not run off, but it's usually after many years of having some sort of boundary.
my dog still runs off on occasion and he hates being anywhere without us, but if he's running after something he wants...well, then he just plain doesn't care!
good luck!
2006-07-28 05:15:57 · answer #2 · answered by joey322 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to live on some type of road, so it is possible for him to get hit if he gets in the road. Just because you own a dog doesn't mean that he is going to know what the boundaries are unless you teach him. Lets say that you are at work and he sees a bunny go across the road and gets smacks by a car. How bad are you going to feel when you come home and find your dog laying dead in the middle of the road. Fence in the yard, or get invisible fencing, just check the batteries often.
2006-07-28 04:45:42 · answer #3 · answered by venus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fence an area for your dog.
Depending on what breed will make him more or less likely to roam but if he is a hunting breed he will follow his nose and could be gone.
It is best to fence them in as you never know what will come by that they will chase after.
Better safe than sorry.
I live in the country and I have a yard fenced for the dogs.
We turn them loose all the time when we are out with them but if I can not watch them they go into the fenced area.
2006-07-28 05:14:47 · answer #4 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on which breed he is, some breeds will not run away, as they are uncomfortalbe when not near their home. Other breeds are prey driven, and will give chase to any thing they see moving, or hunters, that will follow scent.
If your dog is a working/herding breed, he is not likely to run away unless frightened.. or running another dog off..and that is still a big chance to take...All male dogs will run away if they catch scent of a female in 'heat'...and most will go looking for a female when they reach adulthood.
Otherwise, he is likely as realiable as he will ever be, when you have had him about a week..... if he gets plenty of attention, acts as if he loves you, and dry kibble is left out for him.
so, your dog is MUCH more likely to say home and safe if he is neutered.
2006-07-28 04:56:42 · answer #5 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live out in the country too - I put up a 6' fence around a very large area in my yard - just because you live in the country, doesn't mean you shouldn't fence a portion of your yard. As you know, in the country, dogs and cats are killed regularly, don't let yours be one
2006-07-28 04:50:35 · answer #6 · answered by Sal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we had the same problem, our dogs (most of them) we rescued or found on our property, (we live in the country too!) if you want the dog to stay feed him your table scraps! some people say it is bad for them but our dogs never run away, so i'd say that works!
2006-07-28 05:34:57 · answer #7 · answered by smart_blonde92 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should probably wait about a year or so, enough to get him familiar to his surroundings. And also remember, if you take good care of your dog and love him, he's alot less likely to runaway.
2006-07-28 04:46:04 · answer #8 · answered by animalluver_101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogs will run and explore some for a long time. one thing is never punish a dog when it comes back to you no matter if your mad or not always reward w/food and praise
2006-07-28 04:47:07 · answer #9 · answered by fex2112 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put up a fence - there is no way to train a dog to be 100% trustwothy not to leave while you are not home
2006-07-28 04:44:36 · answer #10 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋