dog wont stop running off!

[littlesas123]

Hello my sister has a pug who always ( and i mean ALWAYS ) runs off. We have had him ever since he was a pup ( 1 year and a month ago ) and he will not quit running off. See the thing is he chases cars, people, cats, or even just take off after a stop sign lol! his main thing is cars though. He got hit about 2 months ago by a car and almost died and almost got hit again today. We thought that he would learn his lesson the first time but he did not...obviously. He goes out of the door when somebody opens and accidently lets him out and chases after a car. We spend about 30 minutes trying to get him before he gets tired and wants to return back to the house. We have tried everything. Giving him treats if he comes back or anything you can think of. I was just wondering if there was a way that we could teach him not to run off anymore. We are also scared that someday he will get lost and somebody will take him. Thanks for any information or help you might have.

 

[Zoom]

Leashes are a great thing. Even inside, you may want to start keeping a short length of lead on him so you have something to grab onto when he dashes out...and just watch him like a hawk when someone is even thinking about going near an outside door.

 

[Fran27]

I don't know how to tell this without sounding rude, but it makes me angry that even after your dog got hit by a car you didn't learn your lesson and used a freaking LEASH.

Sorry for getting angry, but I think it's so **** obvious I have no idea why it never crossed your mind???

 

[littlesas123]

we always use a leash. but he runs around the house and if somebody leaves or something he runs off. i think i am going to do what zoom said and i think that that would be the best thing but the thing is he hates running around with a loose leash on him and my other dogs always bites his leash. and yes it did cross my mind and he is on a leash alot but he can not stay on one forever!

 

[oc_spirit]

I've gotta agree with Fran on this one...twice getting hit by a car because of simply not using a leash is twice too many times. I would also sign up for some obedience class to teach him commands. Make sure you find a positive reinforcement one!

 

[littlesas123]

he did not get hit twice only once. and he can not stay on a leash forever! he is on a leash alot and hates it as it is.

 

[oc_spirit]

Sorry I mis-read your initial post, but still one time is still too many. And he won't have to stay on a leash forever, just until you sign him up for classes so he can learn to be a well behaved dog.

 

[littlesas123]

we talked to a trainer the other day and he is going to be going soon but the thing is he hates the leash. i do not know why we try to get him used to it but he hates it. he can not stand having one on.

 

[Zoom]

Get a short one and leave it clipped to him. Start off with a few minutes, then slowly increase the time it's left on him. Don't leave it on when he's asleep though. Don't let him go outside at all without it on, even if it's just to the fenced backyard. He needs to learn that leash=outside. Give lots of treats and praise and just try and distract him at the beginning. Eventually it should kick in that the leash is a good thing. Don't try dragging him around by it, because that will only reinforce his idea of leashes as evil things.

 

[Gempress]

Here's a simple way to get him to like the leash. Always, and I mean always, take him outside on the leash. Doesn't matter whether you have a fenced yard or not. Eventually, he'll realize that "leash=fun time outside."

 

[littlesas123]

thanks zoom and gempress i will start doing that and see if he gets better.Thanks for all of the help.

 

[bubbatd]

Did he ever go to puppy school ?? Also, I'd put up doggie gate at the doorway... That way he can't just run out when the door is openned.

 

[littlesas123]

Ok thanks that is a good idea i will try that.

 

[Fran27]

Honestly, I've had to watch for cats not to go outside all my life, and I've never had one run off. People just need to be really careful about it, especially when you know you have an escape artist, and a gate in the doorway definitely helps.

And I agree, get him started on obedience. I've found out that a sit/stay just before we leave is very useful.

 

[femke]

Yeah it's hard when dogs run off, I agree and would put a gate up or have a sign at the door telling people to watch the dog. Just a question. Do you guys run/chase after him when he gets out? We used to have an irish setter that would escape once in a while and the more we chased or ran after him the further he would go away. if we just simply ignored the fact that he was gone he wouldn't run off far coz he was too chicken to leave us. Dont' know if that is the case with your dog. My friend had two pugs who would both escape and just take off as far as they could... they were hardly ever taken for walks tho so outside for them was like amazing. Do your take your dog out for walks a lot? maybe the outside would be less of an adventure for him if you take him for walks regularly?

 

[littlesas123]

Yes we take him for a walk alot and he loves it outside. We take him and my chihuahua almost everysingle day and they both can not get enough of the outside. I will try what yall said and see if he will stop running of. Most of the time we do not try to chase him but the thing is he will run off after a car and the person in the car will get mad so we have to go and try to get him. Sometimes he comes if I tell him I have food and then when we get in I will just give him some food. Thanks alot guys!

 

[Allyse718]

Maybe he just doesn't like the collar pulling at his neck. You may want to try a harness instead of just a collar, maybe it wouldn't be as irritating to him.

 

[Manchesters]

Be Aware

Yes we take him for a walk alot and he loves it outside. We take him and my chihuahua almost everysingle day and they both can not get enough of the outside. I will try what yall said and see if he will stop running of. Most of the time we do not try to chase him but the thing is he will run off after a car and the person in the car will get mad so we have to go and try to get him. Sometimes he comes if I tell him I have food and then when we get in I will just give him some food. Thanks alot guys!

If someone damages their car trying to avoid hitting your dog, you are liable for any and all damages to real or personal property. I hope you are filthy rich if you are going to have a dog running loose.

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Maybe try puting up a child gate so the little bugger cant dart out the door I used to have this pekinese named Mufasa hoooo say it again mufasa mufasa mufasa (Sorry all get on the little kick sometimes) anyhow his favorite thing to chase was the UPS truck. This little package of dynomite didnt realize this truck what like a million times bigger. anyhow we blocked off the kitchen which led to the front door and he couldnt get out but sadly someone wasnt paying attention and he did get out and it was a station wagon that was his demise Just a suggestion)

 

[Melia]

ideas

Although this doesn`t solve his running away problem (behavior), it could save his life...What about putting up a baby fence that you can get over, but he can`t. This would block him off from the entry area.

To get him comfortable with a leash, just leave one on him in the house, until he gets use to it following him everywhere. Give him treats when he sees the leash. He will learn it is a good thing.

You can also teach him a command word. My dog knows "wait" and then he won't go across the street until "O.K." Training this as a pup is of course easier.

Good luck to you. And bless that little pooch!

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