HELP! I'm at my wits end with my dog!?

Question

I adopted an older male dog, half golden retriever and half saint bernard a few months ago. He has been the perfect dog up until recently. The last 2 weeks, he just keeps running off. He is very quick and big (120 lbs.) so it makes him hard to grab and stop. He will sit and stay when told to but it's hard to tell him that when you're walking in the house from being gone or the kids are going outside to play and he pushes his way out the door and bolts! If you try to catch him, he runs off faster thinking you're playing with him. The only way I was able to get him home before was to drive the car and tell him we're going bye-bye then he'd jump in the car. But now, he won't even come near the car! We have tried kennel punishment, lead punishment, consulting a trainer, etc. This is becoming a major problem because with his size, he terrifies everyone on the streets because they don't know how gentle he is. All they see is this giant dog running toward them!! More coming...

Another new thing he's doing suddenly in this time frame as well is stealing food from the counters. If you even get up to get something to drink, he'll snatch it and eat it before you even see him do it. He has never done that until now. What could be going on with him?? What can I do?? I'm getting ready to have surgery that will leave me bedridden for 4-6 weeks and my husband works 2 jobs so I don't know what I'm going to do with him during that time if this behavior keeps up. Any ideas??

Oh and we have a fenced in large backyard he has free access to and he gets walked 5 times a day around the entire neighborhood. He lead walks great and never pulls. He just acts like a fool when off the lead! And like I said he's neutered so what could have caused such a drastic change in behavior suddenly? He's driving me insane!!!

SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY!!!

buterfly - what would you suggest I do then??? Praise him for running off?? It's not like I hit him! He gets time outs in his kennel or on his lead, that is NOT mean!!!!! I can't just bring him home and act like nothing is wrong because then he'd get the idea that it's okay. Think about it before answering.............

He is neutered, I already stated that. I adopted him and since they don't do adoptions without altering the pet, that's a given.

Answer 1

I can see some of our friends on here don't read a question good enough.....You say he is older, but do you have any idea how old? Perhaps this is the reason he was given away by the previous owner.....He was good with you until he got to know the territory and now the bad behavior is returning. That is my thought.

You have to deal with your upcoming surgery and the fact that your husband works two jobs. I don't really like to suggest this, but unless you can afford a professional trainer to come in to your house, you have a major problem. I would return the dog where he came from and explain WHY. You tried and it just didn't work. This happens some times. You have to place you and your husband first, especially in your situation.

I would also inquire of the place you got him from about his past. How many owners has he had? Has this behavior been a previous problem? Could you get in touch with previous owners? My guess is they won't tell you anything for whatever reason.

If you ever want to do this again, get a new puppy and know his/her background better. BUT, as I said, now is not the time. Return him and deal with your life. Stress only makes matters worse. Good luck with your surgery......

Answer 2

Okay well I had a dog do this too and it got worse and worse till the point were he would come to me at all. What I didn't realize it that when I caught him he would go right home and be put on a lead. Well it doesn't take long to for a dog to figure out that his running and fun is going to end the second you catch him so they run away from you more. Take him to a place away from home that is fenced in like a dog park or anything that has a fence and let him loose have some treats on you and when he runs call him patiently and he'll be reluctant at first but after a while he'll come to you then say good boy and all that and give him a treat. Let him leave you then and call him and if he comes same thing. What you need to do is redirect his anticipation from coming to you means no fun too coming to you means treats and praise and good stuff. Take him home and work on it in your fenced in area a little more. Keep giving him treats when he comes and also have a toy and play with him Little. When he seems like he is good at it bring him to a park where there are hiking trails put him on the lead at first and hand him a treat periodically while you walk then try him loose. Try to hide your nervousness because you suspect he'll bolt. The minuet the leash drops hand him a treat and tell him to come along do the same thing then as he stays close or if he wonders a bit and your uncomfortable with it and call him of course treat if he comes. Eventually he won't want to leave you because he'll learn that when he stays close treats appear and toys and fun. Make sure you ALWAYS make coming to you a good thing and this behavior will come to a halt. Now food on the counter. Put something on the counter that appears like something he wants to steal and spray it with bitter apple set him up with various looking objects and soon he'll understand that gross stuff comes off the counter. Also what you can do is put a piece of food up there and have your husband have him on the lead when he goes to grab it he jerks back and you say no when the dog sits there and looks at it but makes no movement give him a different treat he likes keep working on that so when you put something on the counter and say no to him he'll respect that. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

First off, this isn't something new. If he's older, he's been doing this for some before you got him and he's done it before.

For the eating stuff off the counters, you're just going to have to put everything away or be very careful when you're cooking.

For the running off, if you have a yard and he lead walks well, then those are your options.

Now, onto you being bed ridden for the next month or so; I would talk to a neighbor who has a strong husband or older son who you can call in case of an emergency where you need to get the dog under control or if you need something yourself. Having a neighbor boy walk the dog and play with him might be good idea too, pay the kid $10 a day for a half hour of hard playing with the dog and get the dog nice and tired. You'd obviously want to set some limits for the playing so the kid doesn't give the dog worse habits, but these are all easy things to take care.

One last thing, go get yourself a couple of books on how to handle/train older and bigger dogs. You can read these before or during your period of downtime.

Good luck, the dogs just sounds like he is finally free(from his previously abusive owners or the kennel or whatever) and is enjoying life but he definitely needs some restrictions as he doesn't realize how big he is.

Answer 4

I know it's hard to do but you cannot punish a dog when they come home or you manage to catch him as much as you want to, they won't know why they are being punished. You need to teach manners at the door so he doesn't push his way out and that means keeping a leash on him and correcting the behavior when he attempts to push his way out. Open the door stand outside and have him sit inside, every time he moves towards the door use a SHHHH noise and using your fingers like a claw poke him in the neck simulating a dog bite (they understand that correction) step further away and repeat this process until he lays down or can stay without darting out.

Try watching Cesar Millan on National Geographic Channel the "Dog Whisperer" he's worked with dogs that like to dash out.

As for counter surfing, tie a bunch of empty soda cans together, then attach a piece of meat to a long piece of string, when your dog goes up to grab the food he'll pull the cans down which will startle him, this might do the trick in making him think twice about getting up there again. And the only other suggestion is you are just going to have to Dog Proof your house, don't leave any food unattended on the counters. You can try using an empty soda can filled with some pennies and when you catch him in the act of counter surfing, shake the can and say NO.

I've heard that to train puppies to come you have to run in the opposite direction to where they are running calling their names. Next time he dashes off and he stops to stare at you, call his name and say come and run in the opposite direction and hide. This usually works....running towards them makes them run away faster. I do this with my Weim when she goes too far away from the townhouse and I need her to come back and she's ignoring me, when she turns to look at me, I turn and run in the opposite direction and hide where she can't see me any more and in no time flat she's running towards me, when she reaches me I praise and reward. Now I only praise.

I hope some of these tips help. Good luck on your surgery.

Answer 5

Is it possible to redesign the fence so you can have your back door open up into the fenced in area. You could even have a doggie door so he can come and go into the yard and house. That is the arrangement I have and it makes a world of difference. This will be great if you are having surgery. You won't have to worry about him escaping.

You might want to focus on training your dog how to walk out the door while on a leash. Teach him to sit and stay while you open the door then you walk out first then let him walk out after you. Have you children help you and teach them to practice with your dog.

It sounds like your dog does not trust you. If you ask him if he wants to go "bye-bye" in the car and then you take him back home that will teach him that you don't mean what you say. Building his trust in you and showing him you are the alph is very improtant if you want to get him to respect and obey you.

http://www.lakeeffectpets.com/Training_Tips.htm

Answer 6

A large dog like that (or any dog for that matter) will benefit from obedience training. Also if he isn't neutered...do so. He could be wandering in search of a female. Punishing him will make him harder to catch each time he gets away. Try positive reinforcement such as a treat and praise when he comes back and lets you catch him...if someone called to you and you came, then you got punished, would you keep coming back??? But if they called you and gave you a slice of pizza, then what? LOL. I bet he's a big mush...BUT he is as friendly as a golden with the strenght of a Saint...you need to start training now. Good luck!

Answer 7

first you can't punish after the fact ; doesn't work like that ; and the more that you punish , the worse your dog is going to behave; he reacts to behavior ; if he sees everyone going nuts well then Run Forest run; ; he is fixed??? b/c this time of year, females are going into heat; even if they are fixed they still can pick up the scent and I am sorry to say that they are more interested in that instinct; I have a female dog and the males down the street would do the same and they are fixed; they knew long before I did that my dog was going into heat; they did a better job at alerting me before her time as they were picking up the scent and starting to make a claim; look to why the change in behavior, big dog needs some one on one time and exercising to bond; check on the dog whisperer on National Geographic site for better assistance ; he is the master; post bad behavior punishing doesn't send a message not to do that behavior again, just to be afraid of you; wherein fear is the worst thing to instill in a large animal ; when my female gets out, I do the same; but now she knows that she can come to me if when she sees me; she does not feel , wow , if I go to her ; it is in the kennel for me; even bad behavior is an opportunity for good training ; just like a child , they won't come to you if they fear you ; and dogs tell by your behavior , your reaction; so if the dog comes to you ; good boy , a treat, ; positive reinforcment

Answer 8

just beginner dog obedience worked great for my shepherd...it shows them who is boss, and to come when called. Also , teach him it is not ok to go out the door BEFORE you, everytime you take him out, make him sit and stay before the door is open, if he budges, close the door. Keep it up until he gets it. The sooner the better, with a big dog. As for him snatching food, make him go into another room when you are eating, dont even allow him in the same room. I did this with one of my dogs, and every time we sat at the table, he would go to another room, automatically!! Good luck!! Keep trying until he does it...

Answer 9

no punishment! reward when good use as very strong halter and muzze with a lead that attaches to both and then walk him for walking the car thing you are have to do in stages with somone else first walk up to the car make him sit and praise then open the door then praise get someone to sit in the car and if hi looks as if he is going in praise and keep doing this on his tearms untill hi is comfterbly in going into the car without help. now to show whos boss if you pass him whilst he is lying down dont go around go through him GENTLY kicking him aside more shuffling than kicking him and keep doing this so when hes down and you are moving towards him he'll atumaticly move and keep taring him in the sit no yelling at him when he does bad growl and say now when good go shrilly and good boy
hope this helps

Answer 10

This is what you said..

"I can't just bring him home and act like nothing is wrong because then he'd get the idea that it's okay. Think about it before answering............."

I understand how you came to that conclusion as I also answered your other question but I have to reinforce that you are thinking about it from a humans point of view and not as a dog would interpret it. When he gets out dont run towards him first of all, call him and then run away from him. The harder you try and force a dog to do something the more they resist, what does work is LEADING your dog by example. When he gets out first call him, then turn and walk away still calling his name, when he comes dont try to grab him and kennel punish him or whatever, just keep walking right into the house and when you get inside praise him excessively you can give him a treat 5/10 times sometimes more or less but make it more enjoyable for him to follow your lead and do what you ask then it is for him to run away and ignore you. I know you think you are punishing him for running away but you are not, you are heading down a dead end road where in the end you will not be able to catch your dog no matter what... not with treats, not with car rides, not with toys or anything. I have seen it before, my neighbours dog would not go within 20 feet of them at all when he got out but I could catch him no problem because I didnt catch him, I made it more rewarding for him to follow my lead and enter my yard than it was for him to run away. I tried explaining it to his owner but they also could not understand how to think like a dog. I am not belittling you and I am not trying to be rude, but the dog isnt the problem here it is the methods you are trying to teach him with are not conveying the message you actually want and need to get across. I guarantee if you start right now praising your dog for coming to your call and skip trying to punish him at all for running away that he will stop running away completely dogs only run away because where they are is not as positive as it should be. Not to say that your dog doesnt have lots of excercise etc from what I have read you care alot about him and give him lots of excercise etc, but what you are not giving him is a reason to not want to run away... that reason is easy to provide and it is simple you just have to praise him for returning to your call no matter the fact that he pushed you down in order to run away if he comes to you when you call praise him and make it a positive experience. As for running away to begin with you just need to set some more rules. For example start training him to sit and stay before you even open the door, and if he does not , take him back, make him sit, stay and start again until when you open the door he stays well back and doesnt try to escape. Make sure to reward him when he does what you ask and do not get frustrated or yell. Be calm, assertive and absolutely decided. Keep him on a leash at all times when you are out, restrict his priveledges make it impossible for him to run away in the first place, and if he does make sure you teach him that coming back to you is far more rewarding, positive and fun than running away can ever be.. thats what makes a dog stay and come to your call every time... when you make their time with you better than any alternative trust me they dont ever run away then.