How do i stop my 5 month old dog from running of with other dogs?

Question

I have a 5 month old staffie who i take out 4 long walks,the problem i have is that when we come across another dog she runs off with them and no matter how i try she wont come back to me,ive tried calling her giving her treats when she does come back but still always the same old story. please please if any1 can help i'd be really greatful as its becoming a pain now :o(

i have had the puppie since she was 9 weeks old and i do keep her on the lead when walking in the street but when it comes to walking in fields,woods etc i let her off which is when the problem begins

when there is no other dogs around she comes back when called fine,we play with her all the time and it is very rare that she is on her own,she is well loved and cared for and she is a happy doggie but loves to run off :o(

sorry i worded this wrong earlier but i give her treats when she does as shes told and doesn't run off with others dogs.sorry just had to clear that up as some people like to point these things out (****)

oh yeah and i forgot to say when she has been bad and rans off she goes back on the lead plus also when she is on the lead and walks past other dogs she does nothing but just walk past

Answer 1

Ever hear of a lead and collar??

Answer 2

hi i have a staff too but she is 6 and a half months old and i have the same problem but bit by bit it is getting better i walk her through woods that lead in to a big field its only here i let her off as the first 10 Min's or so i find her really excitable and it was here she would dash off to the nearest dog to play i was fed up with shouting at her and chasing her ,i got a long retractable lead she thought she could run off but i shouted her name and like you had a little treat in my hand that she was given every time she came back this improved our walks a lot and after 10 min she is let off she actually waits for me now and if she is in front of me she will turn around to make sure I'm still there it will come together in time and if anyone moans about her tell them she is a pup and you are training her to come back that's why you are out on a long walk with her,good luck with her and i hope this helps you x

Answer 3

I have the same problem with my 13month old dog,if he see's another dog he's gone and i have been out in the feilds for hours trying to get him back.Dogs usually run away like this when they feel that there owner is to boring on the walks,they'd much rather have fun playing with there own kind and unfortunatly us owners arn't going to get in the way.I would advice you to go back to basics on training the recall and i would keep her on the lead for a while aswell,if your dog go's running over to the wrong dog then it could end up a fight,not all dogs appriciate another dog running and hounding them.Take some toys with you and keep her really focused on you make the walk really entertaining.If she hasn't already then buy a flexi lead that lets them have some freedom and that can also be good for helping you recall her and treating her when she does.Or if none of this sounds usefull then enroll in a good training class where they will help you gain more controll over her.Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi there, ok where do i start. i know the problem you have and the anger going though you, i have been there. First of all dont let her off the lead get a long lead (you can get a good one from a good pet store called a long line). In the park let her on long on that but hold the end, now, there are two commands there is close which means she has to walk close just like on short lead and there is go play (or whatever you say to let her off the lead) every 5minutes call her back to you, give her the treat then say "go play" also, with the close, when she is in "go play" call her in close to you if you need to gather up the lead then do so till she learns that close is at your side then you can work to leaving her on long and she should bring herself in when you say close. Remember when she runs off and it takes you forever to get her back when she does come back to you you have to praise her so much cause coming back to you is the BEST thing in the world. P.S when she is in go play that means she can do whatever she likes i.e smell go to other dogs, ect. Also going to a good training class is a good idea, there is a brill one at brentwood. I hope i have helped you and if you need anymore help or dont understand me then email me at [e-mail]
Good Luck.

Answer 5

It's a good idea to get an extendable lead. Let your dog go up to another dog and practise calling her. If she doesn't come you can then pull on the lead a little to get her to come away from the other dog. This will get her used to the idea that she has to obey you even when she thinks she is out of your reach. Another variation is to attach a long piece of string to your dogs coller, you can then stand on it making it easier to catch her. If this fails you could take her to dog training classes, where you will be able to practise training her around other dogs. The trainer will also be able to advise you with relation to your particular dog. Having been in the same situation with my own dog, this is the advice I was offered and it has helped a lot, I hope this is some help and good luck.

Answer 6

Practice Practice Practice, and if that doesn't work Practice more. Its always about repetition with dogs. First I would start with the leash, if your dog still pulls and sniffs then still use a leash. Ideally you want your dog to walk next to you with the leash slack. Give a command like "heal" and reward your dog when she does it. I trained my dog on a leash using something called a "sneak away", tie the leash to your waist (your belt should do fine") and walk around with your dog. Every time your dog goes one direction by itself, go the opposite way, make quick turns, stops.. whatever. this way your dog will learn to watch/follow you you when on a leash. And of course reward your dog when she follows you correctly. Do this at a walk at first, once your dog get better you can pick up the pace. Once your dog has the sneak aways down try going on long walks with a retractable leash. Put the leash on the loose setting and when you dog simply gets ahead of you, or takes off after another dog use the "heal" command and walk the other direction or reel her in. Reward her when she reaches you. If your dog is successful in all these things, then try walking without a leash. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to do a trial with friends dog, have your friend walk their dog, you pass by your friend with your dog and see if you can get your dog to stay next to you by just using your commands. Hope this lengthy explanation helps :)

Answer 7

Take your puppy to the local dog training school and keep her on a long leash all the time when you are out. The training school will teach you how to handle the dog effectively and will teach the dog basic obedience - this is something you should have started a couple of months ago, but better late than never.

Answer 8

Training, you need a long lead and a bit of space about 20 foot square you can do this in the park or anywhere really with enough room, you pace out a square, 20 paces each side, keep the dog on the lead, and keep pacing out the square, she will get tangled up, keep pacing, she will get pulled along, keep pacing, eventually she will learn to watch what you are doing, then go the other way, whatever happens as long as you are not in danger of falling over or choking your dog, just keep pacing the square, she will have to pay attention to you to stop getting wound up and trampled on.

once she had learned this, she will get used to watching what you are doing, and not what other people are doing.

Answer 9

I had a staff and she was exactly the same the only thing i could do was put her on a lead when another dog comes, she will grow out of this, hope this helps

Answer 10

I have to agree with some of the other answers. If you know your dog runs off why aren't you putting him/her on a leash?? Once you have your dog trained on the leash not to get excited when he/she sees other dogs then you can try to try him to stay when he is off the leash. You can't get any where doing the same thing over and over. Your dog knows that its going to be able to get away with it so just put him on the leash and teach him how to listen to your commands.

Answer 11

Well i dont know if you use a chain but you should. I have a dog that did the same thing and she was a collie and it was the same song and dance that your going threw and as much as i dodnt like having my dog on a chain that was the last thing i could do. And i dont want to get rid of her! And over the years she started listening a little more and now that she is an old lady well she really doesnt run off anymore:( But yeah i d say the collar and leash. They might not like it but thats their own fault.