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Running away has been described in two different manners. First, the dog will run away from its owner when it is called. Second, the dog will run out of the door or yard the instant a door or gate
is opened.
The following exercises should be performed in an enclosed area prior to any attempts in an open area where the dog could possibly become injured during the sequences. Caution must be observed in
every training exercise to ensure safety and consistency.
The first problem, running away when called, is the action of a dog that was not taught the "Come" command properly, and the owner is probably chasing after the dog. If your dog decides to run
away from you, do not chase after him. Chase is a dog's favorite game, and all that yelling and name-calling makes him believe that you are having as much fun as he is. Since they enjoy this game of
chase so much, turn the tables on him, and have him chase you. Call his name, clap your hands, say all the things you would if you were chasing him, and you run away from him. Your dog will believe
you are playing, but the roles have been reversed and now he is the one chasing you. When he is within reach of you, grab him, and praise him for coming.
Some dogs will come toward you, but stay just out of reach. Then they turn and go in the opposite direction, stop, and look back at you. When you walk toward them, they will run a short distance,
stop, and look at you again. With this behavior, you should continue to walk, not run, toward the dog, repeating his name and the come command. Regardless of where he goes or what he does, continue
to pursue him, but do not run. Eventually, he will realize that you are not going to give up, and he will display submissive gestures. He may lie down and crawl, or roll over on his back. When this
happens, continue toward him slowly. Place his lead on him, command come, and begin walking back to the very spot where you first called him. Repeat the come command as you walk with him. If he is
reluctant to go with you, continue to walk without stopping. Do not allow him to control the situation. When you arrive at the spot where you first called him, stop and praise him while repeating the
come command. You want him to understand that coming to you is the most pleasant thing he will ever experience.
The second problem, running away when a door is opened, can be corrected by placing a lead on the dog and working with him when you answer a door. If he attempts to charge out of the door, make a
sharp correction, and place him in the sit/stay position. You may also practice opening the door when no one is there. Simply position yourself to the outside of the opening so that the door may be
opened without interference from your body. Allow the dog to approach, keeping him to the center of the door. When you open the door, do it rapidly so that the door bumps against his nose. Then, as
fast as you opened it, close it again. Command the dog to sit. If he does not, do the same routine again. You may have to do this a few times before the dog understands that the door is going to bump
him in the nose if he does not sit and stay while the door is being opened. This procedure will work with a gate in the same manner. For sliding doors, train the dog with a door that swings on a
hinge, or using lead corrections, and he will get the idea about waiting for the sliding door.
Never call your dog to you to make a correction. Regardless of what the dog has done, do not call him and then make a correction. If he has done something wrong, go to him and make the correction,
but never call him to you for a correction. Timing is the most important thing when making a correction. If you have not caught him performing an improper behavior within three (3) seconds of that
behavior, then it is too late to correct him. He must be caught in the act in order for him to understand your correction. Calling him, then making a correction will only make him want to stay away
from you. Anytime you call your dog it should be immediately followed with praise. Even if you come home and find that the Mink Coat has been chewed to shreds, if you call him, you must praise him.
If you come home and you catch him chewing the coat, you go to him and make the correction, but do not call him to you.
Calling a dog to you and then making a correction will only condition the dog to stay away from you to prevent any corrections. For example, if I called you, and then when you arrived I slapped you,
would you come to me when I called again? Neither will your dog.
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