First Principal of Dog Training
I had taken Maggie on her early morning walk: we're working on sit/stay, down/stay, heels, turns, etc. I brought her into the yard, hooked the gate, then proceeded to do the same routine with Barney. When finished I brought him up to the gate, ordered him to sit, unhooked the leash, opened the gate and assumed he would rush in to play with Maggie. Instead, Maggie rushed out, with Barney fast behind her and away they went. When they got to the street they saw Winston, a Golden Retriever, who they both hate, and tore down the street just as its owner was taking him into the house. Giving up on that pursuit they decided to take advantage of their new found freedom racing back and forth on the neighbors lawns. I finally caught up with them when they boxed themselves in between two yards, and was able to get a leash on Barney and grab Maggie's collar. I was embarrassed as .... and apologized to Winston's owner, who wasn't a bit disturbed by the whole thing. But I wish I had pictures of the two running around the subdivision chasing one another, with their hair flying back in the breeze. I couldn't really get angry with them, especially since today is Maggie's 2nd birthday. I wonder how much training it really takes before a dog can reliably be off leash. |
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| Never assume anything applies to everything I think...lol...
I'm glad their adventure worked out ok.... sounds like they enjoyed it immensely. One thing you can do if your dog gets loose and it doesn't respond to any commands, is scream as if you are hurt and fall on the ground, they will rush over to see what is wrong, then you can grab them and praise like crazy for coming back! |
Good idea, Stacy... but I can just see it now: there I am lying on the ground, screaming, and the neighbors are on the phone to 911 thinking this old man had a heart attack... then trying to explain the whole thing to the paramedics... and the police....  |
| What a visual, George! I know the feeling of helplessness and despair running down the street, screaming after a sheepie - plus it's frustrating as hell! Just glad everything turned out okay.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!!  
Chris |
| lol....were practicing with Panda off leash...sometimes shes good sometimes shes not.........I just run in the opposite direction of her and yell her name....she comes running......sorry george...what a sight that must have been |
| Happy Birthday to Maggie!!!
Don't worry about "the incident" I think all sheepdogs have it out for Retrievers.  |
Oh George! What a great visual I get from that story! Sorry to have a laugh at your expense - but it's just so funny!! 
I had a similar incident with Beau & Gen not too long ago. Then yesterday, my neighbor who petsits for me was taking Gen inside to give her a bath and she darted out of the fence, too. She ran around a couple houses in the neighborhood. Kristi finally got her to come back by offering her a treat.
Silly sheepies!
I don't know if she'll ever be reliable off leash.  |
| Happy Birthday Maggie!
I can picture the whole thing, but I think for anyone who has had a dog, they'd understand the situation completely! |
Hey George, wasn't it you that said to run the other way? 
I'm just messing around with you. I know when they have it in their heads to do something, and there's two of them together, I think all training goes out the window (dogs and even people sometimes). As I posted a few weeks ago, I assumed Lucy would stick to us off leash out in the country and I couldn't have been more wrong! We wound up running through the field to catch her. I think she was laughing at us. 
I think some dogs are just naturally better off leash than others too. I've done obedience with Clyde but nothing too serious. If it's just him (without Lucy) he sticks to me like glue. If he gets out of line even a little, I say his name and he's back at my side. Honestly though, I think he just doesn't want to be away from me. I wonder if he'd run from anyone else who tried to do the same thing. |
| OMG That's so funny....sorry George!
I've heard running the other way works too! But then again...that just a rumor I've heard We all know when sheepies have something in their heads, like running free thru the neighborhood, nothing will stop them! But the idea of falling on the ground in pretend pain is definately a worthwhile back-up plan!
Happy Birthday Maggie! Hope you had fun! Sounds like it might be the best birthday yet! |
| Run the other way! I did that and sure enough Barney ran right after me, passed me up and kept on going! That works when there no competition. |
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