how can i get my nutty dog to come back when he's off the lead?

Question

hes 2years old, a rescue dog, we got him a year ago, hes just overexcited and interested in everything but coming back - distraction is his problem, he's not stupid, just stubborn. what we need is a properly enclosed field to train him in! any ideas?

Answer 1

take him to weekly dog training where you and your dog can learn the art of obedience, he'll soon be looking to you as the leader of the pack

Answer 2

You need to make him realise that coming back is a fun thing to do. I know this sounds mad, but when you call him try jumping up and down, wave your hands around in the air so he can see you and make loud noises.
When he does come back reward him with treats and play, he'll soon get the idea.
Don't ever scold him for not coming back ( no matter how frustrating it may get) when you wanted him too, this can have a negative effect.
Good luck, and well done for getting a rescue dog, both mine are rescues too.
I wish more people would take a rescue dog rather than going to a puppy farm ot the likes.

Answer 3

Before you let him off the lead entirely you need to be sure that he is trained at Recall....you need an extending lead or better still a training lead ( from good petshops). First start training on a normal length lead. He needs to be not too far away before you start by calling his name ...make it sound like you really are happy to see him and want him to come to you...pat you legs, bend down to his level and get him to come to you...when he comes to you (which shouldn;t be too difficult cos he won't be that far away from you to be distracted) You say his name and 'Come' or 'Here' , reward him with a treat and praise him...you keep doing this..persevere...until you can get him to you by calling his name followed by come or here...so he now know the command and what it means. Next step is on the training lead and keep going. Eventually, you will be ready to let him off the lead...but there will be times when he will be totally distracted...usually by the appearance of another dog..then he will be so focused on that he won;t listen to you...if you call his name and manage to get him to turn round to see you...run the other way...they usually follow...or lie on the ground (if its not wet). But precaution is better way...you need to be on the lookout for the distraction so you can leash your dog before he gets away...One last thing..sorry..I do go on...if your dog doesnot come back to you first, second or third time etc..never under any circumstances scold the dog when he finally returns...this will make him think that you only want him to come to you so you can scold him...praise and having your wits about you are key steps here. Also, if he does run try not to shout his name too much because they mistake this for your 'barks' of encouragement! A good training class is the best answer...GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

Like most of the others have already said. Rewards (treats/snacks) and lots of fuss when he does return. Always carry enough in your pocket, and before letting him off the lead for the first time give him a small treat, just so that he knows that you have them in your pocket. Also, you could alter the tone of your voice when calling him back. Don't say it in a 'playful' voice, try a more serious tone, and see which one works best with you dog. Good luck.

Answer 5

If you buy a clicker, and some treats that your dog will love you will be sorted. Click the clicker and give him a treat. Once he has got it in his head that every time you click he gets something he will come to that click, and when he does come to you reward him and give him a really big praise for doing so. It does work... Just need a bit of patience to do it.

What you have got to remember not to do is discipline him if he comes back to you eventually on his own accord. Even if it does take an hour for him to do so. Just praise him!.. If you discipline him when he does eventually come back to you will just put him off wanting to come back as he knows that he will get punished!

Answer 6

What breed is it and is it neutered? You don't need an enclosed area just a long length of washing line attached to his collar. Start off with it not too long, use a squeaky toy to get his attention, bob down to the ground and call him in a high excited happy voice. As soon as he turns towards you keep calling as though you are very excited he is about to return to you and reward him when he does. Repeat this excerise a couple of times, then let him have some play time and sniff about at all the exciting things. Then repeat the excersize a couple iof times. Never call him to you just before it's time to go home as he will associate the coming to you with the curtailment of his fun time. You can practice recall in your garden. As the days go on, allow him to get further away from you on the long line and plractice recall.
If you let him off the lead and he won't come back, do the excited happy calling and squeaky toy and run in the opposite direction from him as fast as you can. Betcha he comes running after you even faster :0) That is a trick I've done with many many foster rescue dogs. Once he gets to you, reward him with a favourite treat and praise him like crazy. On the occasions when he won't come back when you call him, no matter how frustrated or mad you get, NEVER let him see or hear it. Who wants to return to someone who is angry? And never ever punish him when you get him as he will associate returning to you with being punished. In his mind he is being punished for coming back to you which is exactly the opposite of what you want to teach him. No matter how mad you are getting, bob down and keep your voice happy and encouraging and praise and reward when he comes even if you have been calling for 15 minutes and are late for work or whatever. Eventually, the reward will be the fact that he comes back to you and you fuss him.
In all my years keeping dogs and doing rescue, I have never had a dog I wasn't able to get to come back to me when I called it.
If he is not neutered, I stongly advise you to have him done.

Answer 7

I knew someone with a similar problem and they put a kind of funnel on the dog which acted like blinkers and he gradually got out of the habbit of looking all around and concentrated on the owner.But you do need somewhere like an open area to train.What about local school playing feilds in the evening or weekend?

Answer 8

HI get him and longer lead and train him that way, It means he can run about but it means you can also pull him back when you want. Well done for rescuing the poor little dog Big thumbs up for you on that one. He will learn in time. Shout at him if you have to, you don't want him to get knock down and shouting won't do him any harm

Answer 9

We had a very obstinate female german shepherd who drove us round the bend. She was very willful and we even sent her to an SAS training guy in Scotland. The only thing she did well when she came back from four weeks there was to sit on command. I found, as with most of your answers, that treats were the only thing which worked. I used to smack her out or sheer frustration when she EVENTUALLY returned but you could just see her sitting back and saying 'well I'm not going back there to get a wallop'

Answer 10

A 2-year old dog is still young and energetic. He's hot stubborn - just curious about his world. When he's off the leash, he wants to investigate everything while he has the chance. He will probably grow out of it and come to you when called. Until then, allow him free time in a safe area where he does not annoy your neighbors. Take him to dog parks.

Answer 11

I find the best way to get my dog to come back is to turn my back and pretend i am heading off home she usually loses her bravado and comes pelting back .She is also a rescue dog i will never go pedigree again!rescue dogs are the best