Why does my German Shepherd keep on running away?

Question

He is very well trained. He recently worked for the police and has now retired... What should I do...? i dont wanna give him away.

Answer 1

He's very well trained and is used to working and now he has nothing to do.Gsd's are high energy dogs.They need a good 5 mile run every day to burn off all that energy.
Sticking him outside in the yard all alone is'nt getting it.
If you want the dog to stay at home then make his life on your property more interesting than the rest of the neighborhood and he'll stop running off.
I take mine for a 3 mile walk in the park every day.They come home and take a nap.When they wake up we go outside for at least 30 minutes and play catch or they chase soccer balls around the yard.If not that we go to another park that's just a few blocks away and they get to run off-leash again for a few minutes before we walk home.During the summer walks after the 3 mile one are mostly forgotten because they swim in their pool and play ball in the yard.
They have to get in the car and go somewhere everyday or the act like their dying.And the day does not end until they've chased a laser light around the yard for 20 minutes or so.
My rule of thumb is that if the amount of exercise my dog got does not produce at least a 2 hour nap then it was'nt enough and we go again.
These dogs have got to have alot of mental stimulation as well as exercise.They're extremely intelligent and they like to make choices so you need alot of toys on hand and especially ones he can interact with.
Get some cow hoofs or kong toys and stuff them with peanut butter.Treat balls are great to relieve boredom.I fill ours with low-calorie dog food and they won't leave them be until they're empty.Toys that make several sounds are more interesting than ones that just squeek.And the best ones I've found were stuffed animals made for babies at garage sales.I pay no more than 75 cents apiece so when they get destroyed I'm not out anything.But you have to get down and play with these toys too or the dog won't want any part of them.
Take him for walks.Take him for rides in the car.Let him run off-leash where it's acceptable for him to do so.Let him be a dog and treat him like an important member of your family and he'll stay with you.
If you're not willing to put forth the effort then re-home him before he gets hurt on one of his adventures.

Answer 2

I have a lab that runs away whenever she gets the opportunity. She's happy, well cared for and pretty well trained. She is just curious and wants to explore and while she is out exploring the neighborhood, the neighbors tell her how cute she is and give her treats which makes it even more appealing.

So, I try to take her for lots of walks, give her plenty of attention and make sure she doesn't get the opportunity to run away ie keeping the gate closed, watching her when she is outside....

I'm anxious to see what other people do, maybe I can get some good advise!

Good luck

Answer 3

I have two GSDs and instead of 5 miles of walks a day, I have a doggy backpack that comes with weights made into it. I usually leave 15 lbs in the back pack. I can make it 10 lbs though for a medium sized dog. But anyways, the weight back pack is to make them tired on walks and plays so you wouldn't have to walk the whole 5 miles just to give the dog exercise. I walk 3 miles at the most, 4x a week, maybe 5 some weeks. But I leave it on my dog's back in the backyard when we play fetch. That helps tremendously. A friend of mine gave this back pack to me. I don't know where it can be found. Maybe call petsmart and see if they have em?

Answer 4

I am not exactly sure what you can do except a shock system. I used to own a black lab that i found 'cause he ran away from his owner. Then no longer wanted him unable to contain him, therefore i took him in. He ran away about once a week out of instinct for less then an hour, and then returned. It was fine although a little bit stressing, we had the fence raised to over 6 ft. but he was still able to jump it. He did not return one day, we think he got hit. So i advise you resolve the problem before something happens to your pup. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

well I don't know if you are going to like this answer but he obviousely does not see you as the alpha dog. All dogs are pack animals and want a strong confident leader to guide them threw life. try spending more time with him. Teach him new tricks. but remember to be both firm and gentle when he does things he is not suposed to. try useing the word "gnah" in a soft quick growl like voice as a punishment when he does things that you do not like then reward him when he stops doing the offenceive behaviour.... example... when he is running away from you say "gnah"... count silently to two..."come" or "return" when he does so praise him telling him what a good dog he is.

Answer 6

He is not well trained if he runs away. Is he being left alone outside? Even if it is a fenced yard he needs to be watched. Stop letting him off leash as you know he runs off. Try getting him back into a train class.

Answer 7

Im guessing that your German Shepherd was always on the go working with the police, does he get enough exercise, and play time, walks?? Take him everywhere that you go....he is probably just acting out b/c of not enough attention.

Answer 8

Some dogs have wander lust. They just want to explore and not stay fenced in. You need a fence she can't get over and to supervise her outside. Invisable fencing might work to if she pays attention to the shock.

Answer 9

Try using to clicker. my dog used to run off ( just playing) but it scared me because she was getting close to the road! I started clicker training her and it almost saved her life! first you click then treat so they associate the sound with treat. My maltese snuck out of the door and all i did was click it a few times and she came running right back in the house. HOPE I HELPED SOME good luck

Answer 10

He is bored that is all run him if he is able 2 45 min walks a day otherwise