I thought I'd trained her better than that

[Yoladybug]

Tonight I let Abby out to pee in the front yard like I do many times each day. My roommates and I trained her to stick around in our yard without a leash. Anytime we leave the yard, I use a leash, but I've never had a problem with her leaving the yard or porch. Anyway, tonight, mid-pee, this black dog dashes by (it lives a few blocks from me and ALWAYs runs away). Abby just went chasing after it. It scared me to death. They were running in and out of the street (I'm a student living in your typical college neighborhood, so you can imagine how fast people drive) and in and out of people's yards. I kept calling Abby, and she never even stopped to look at me, she just kept chasing this dog. This went on for about 10 minutes...I couldn't catch up to either of them, and they were starting to get pretty far away from my house. I was convinced something horrible was going to happen when finally they came close enough to me, and I literally tackled Abby. I then had to carry my 60 pound dog back to my house with the black one jumping on us the entire way.

I locked Abby up and grabbed a leash to put on the black dog. This is the third time I've caught this dog (my roommate has had the pleasure 2 other times). When it happens, we just end up walking it around the neighborhood until we finally run into it's owner. Seeing as this has become a regular occurance, we've asked this guy for his address and he won't give it to us. So tonight, with no destination, I walked and walked and finally the dog started pulling towards a house and ran up to the front door and sat down. I knocked and a guy I'd never seen before came out. I asked if it was his dog, and all he said was, "Yeah, totally...thanks." That was it...no concerned comments, no apologies, nothing. I'm so pissed! People like that shouldn't be allowed to own a dog.

Anyway, the point of that long story was my disappointment in Abby (and of course myself). She usually listens so well, ESPECIALLY when we're outside. There are always people out walking their dogs, and she just sits on the porch and watches them pass. I don't know what was different tonight. She just ran and never looked back. She didn't give any ounce of recognition when I was frantically calling her name. I wonder where I went wrong in training her. Any suggestions that could help me ensure that this won't happen again? They'd be greatly appreciated!

[ML]

Any suggestions that could help me ensure that this won't happen again? They'd be greatly appreciated!

My suggestion is to keep her on a leash, no matter how well trained she is. You never know when prey drive will kick in with a dog. Once it does, come hell or high water, good luck getting their attention. The same thing could have happened if it were a squirrel or cat flying past the house. I have an 11 year old pit bull who I've NEVER had a problem with recall. However, there are a lot of squirrels and stray cats on our street, so I never have her out front without a long lead. I may not be holding it all the time while she's out, but it's always within arms reach (it's a 30 foot lead) *Just In Case* prey drive takes over rational thought. Better SAFE than sorry.

I wonder where I went wrong in training her.

No matter how much training, dogs will be dogs, IMO. Dogs will chase and kill squirrels and cats, and they will run after other dogs. You could work on a more reliable recall, using a long lead, so you're always in control, increasing the distance of the recalls as the dog becomes more consistent in coming. Praise like crazy, let the dog do something she REALLY loves like tug, kisses...whatever drives her. or give a special treat that she doesn't get at any other time. Make coming to you a positive event.

My pup is a very stubborn dog, and when she was younger, sometimes she would get away from me in the yard when it was time to come in. I learned quickly not to call her to come. There was not use giving the command if I KNOW I can't enforce it. Instead I would run FROM her (never chase your dog, you can't catch them :D ) and her natural inclination would be to chase me. I would run right in the house to the treat bowl, with her hot on my heels for her cookie.

[Guest Anonymous]

As for that loser who lets his dog run around everywhere...he seems NOT to care about the animal's wellbeing and if I were you..I would call animal control AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and have this guy talked to and even FINED so he starts to understand what it means to be a responsible dog owner... (tell animal control that this keeps happening over and over again and these people aren't even concerned about their dog's wellbeing)

you are right...people like that SHOULD NOT own dogs..

[Guest Anonymous]

[quote name='Yoladybug'] Any suggestions that could help me ensure that this won't happen again? They'd be greatly appreciated!

KEEP HER ON A LEASH WHEN SHE"S OUT THERE!!!!!!! You are being just as irresponsible as the other guy if you put her out there without one- esp now that you've seen that she WILL run away if something exciting enough comes past.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Yoladybug]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

"Guest," you don't have to attack me :evil:

[cheekymunkee]

Any suggestions that could help me ensure that this won't happen again? They'd be greatly appreciated!

Keep her on leash!! No matter how well trained a dog is , it is STILL a dog & when prey drive sets in no manner of training is likely to stop it. NO dog should EVER be off leash out side of a fenced in area. Part of being a responsible owner.

Debby