Surely, many dog owners are familiar with the situation when a dog runs away during a walk and does not react in any way to the owner’s calls to come over. Very often I notice couples who generally walk on their own: the dog is alone, and the owner, somewhere on the sidelines, patiently waits for his pet to walk up and come to him, because calling and catching him is useless. For the same reason, many generally prefer not to let their four-legged pet off the leash. Yes, precautions will not hurt here.
But you don’t always have to lead your dog exclusively on a rope. Sometimes you want to remove restrictions and give your pet freedom, so that the pet can play to its heart’s content with its fellow animals and run after the ball. After all, this is very beneficial for the dog’s health.
So what are the reasons for such “escapes” of the dog? What to do if this happens, and how to wean your little one from this habit?
How Jackusik went on the run
When Jack was about 1.5 years old, we also faced a similar situation. Any Jack Russell Terrier benefits from active walks and good exercise. Therefore, from time to time, we let Jack off the leash so that he can run around and play to his heart's content.
Of course, we try to make such “free” walks as safe as possible, taking them away from roads and unfamiliar dogs. But one day, while walking, a rather charming tailed girl suddenly ran up to us. She was wearing a collar, and we had no reason to worry, since sometimes we saw her together with her owner; Jack even played with her a couple of times. Moreover, by all indications, she did not have any “interesting” days.
Here we decided that we simply hadn’t noticed the hostess, and she was about to come up. But it was not there. There were no owners nearby. After frolicking for a couple of minutes, the girl apparently got tired of it and decided to run on, minding her own dog business. Of course, Jack followed her.
The further they ran from us, the less hope there was that Jack would turn around and run back. No matter what his name was, he did not react. He was just so carried away that he didn’t even hear our (by that time) hysterical screams and calls to return. For a moment Jack stopped, wondering who to go to. And then we made a fatal mistake at that time: Artyom ran after him! At such moments this should not be done under any circumstances.
Seeing Artyom chasing him, Jack was so happy that he ran after his tailed friend even more. As he ran, he looked back and, seeing that his entire “flock” was running after him, he was completely calm. He probably thought, “Yo-ho! How great! I run, the owner supports my game and runs too! How we play cheerfully and harmoniously!” Yes, most likely Jack took it as a game.
Dogs run much faster than people, and in just a few seconds this tailed pair disappeared from view. We started to panic. We ran around all the nearby courtyards, looked into all the nooks and crannies, asked passers-by, but no one saw him.
About an hour and a half passed, which seemed like an eternity. The dog was nowhere to be found. What to do, we decided to take the “escape” route again and try other ways to find the dog.
But a miracle happened! Returning to the clearing where everything happened, we saw our impudent red, spike-butted muzzle rushing towards us from behind the neighboring house, “in full sail,” with eyes full of horror.
There was no limit to happiness. Everyone was so happy, as if they had not seen each other for 10 years. I cried, Jack jumped and licked us, whining with happiness. You could see him asking for forgiveness. We didn't scold him. He himself was very scared. Apparently, having played too much, he did not notice our absence, and at some point, not finding us next to him, he got very scared and ran back.
We were lucky that everything ended well and he found his way himself. He didn’t end up on the roadway and that strangers didn’t even just take him away. Now Dzhekusik is already 6.5 years old and he is very attached to us. But even now, I try to let him off the leash only where he will be completely safe.
It is quite normal that during a walk your dog sometimes runs away from you and then comes running again. But now, when Jack hesitates and we find ourselves at a decent distance from each other, I never run after him, trying to catch him. I act completely differently. How? Read on.
Gaming excitement
It’s more interesting with a “brother” than with the owner.
A dog of any breed needs socialization and communication with its own kind. Communication means meeting, mutual sniffing and games. But many owners are sure that dogs can communicate with each other without the participation of their owners.
Maybe, but it is fraught with consequences. Especially if both pets are poorly controlled. By playing with each other in open space, animals can escape from their owners. One dog begins to run away, the second follows it. And so on until they disappear from the owner's eyes.
Why do dogs run away?
Before deciding how to behave if a dog runs away from you, you need to find out the reasons for its behavior.
Predisposition to free life
There are animals that do not need people at all. They feel quite comfortable in the absence of their owner. Such animals can change several owners throughout their lives, and will run away from them at every opportunity.
Fear of the owner
Often a dog runs away during a walk, experiencing fear and mistrust of its owner. This may be due to cruelty to the animal, excessive severity or coldness. Very often, obeying ancient instincts, our pets are not averse to wallowing in rotten meat.
Having called the offending dog, the owner begins to shout at it rudely and irritably, punishing it for its offense. But the dog sincerely does not understand that he is being scolded for getting dirty. He begins to think that the owner is angry with him for coming up.
If you call an animal only to reprimand it, it develops the “come and get” reflex. And next time he will not have the desire to approach, because he will think that he will now be punished.
The menacing intonations of your voice
Animals are very sensitive to your mood. If you are irritated, then most likely your pet will try not to come close to you. He can walk nearby, run around the owner, but not come closer.
Pet's age and temperament
As a rule, very young puppies (from 3 to 5 months) are not prone to escape. They are simply still afraid of everything and try to stay close to their owner. And many owners of four-legged animals, rejoicing at such “obedience,” mistakenly believe that this will continue to be the case. But this is far from true.
Having reached sexual maturity (at the age of approximately 5-8 months), four-legged animals begin to actively and fearlessly explore the world. According to statistics, it is at this age that a large number of “losses” occur, since in addition to the curiosity of the tailed animals, there is also the inexperience of animal owners who have never had a dog before and who do not know this peculiarity of the behavior of four-legged animals.
The prize here can be given to both young and curious pets and dogs of hunting and very active breeds (Jack Russells, miniature pinschers, greyhounds, and so on).
Panic fear
Very often, a dog runs away from its owner due to panic. The sounds of fireworks, firecrackers, the roar of a helicopter or tractor can frighten a pet so much that out of fear he will run “wherever his eyes look,” without seeing anything or hearing the owner’s shouts.
The dog is interested in something
If you are carried away by some object or playing with other dogs, your pet may simply not hear you. You can shout until you lose your voice: “Come to me!”, but it won’t do any good.
It is quite understandable that if a dog is carried away, it will run after the object of its attention. As a rule, after a few minutes the animal comes to its senses and begins to look for its owner, as happened in the case of our Jackusik.
But a more difficult moment is when a male is attracted to a female in heat. It’s unlikely that in a couple of minutes he will remember you. Therefore, if you notice that your male dog begins to behave strangely, run from side to side and sniff out marks, immediately put him on a leash.
Leash as the end of a walk
Many dog owners, having called their pet to them, immediately fasten the leash and lead their four-legged dog home. The dog has an association: when he approaches the owner, the walk is over.
Yes, any walk ends when you go home. But so that your pet does not get the feeling that they are calling him only to take him home, take a little walk, run with the animal, even if your dog is already on a leash.
Insufficient duration and activity during walks
Very often dogs are in no hurry to approach their owners due to the fact that they have not had enough exercise. And our pets don’t care whether you’re late for work or not.
If you walk your dog too little, then it simply may not have time to fulfill its natural needs, or it may not have enough time to communicate with other animals. The dog runs away, trying to delay the moment when it will be left alone after you leave for work.
Lack of authority from the owner
Very often, those owners who always indulge the animal in everything are afraid to let their pet off the leash, as a result of which the authority of the owner in the eyes of the pet is lost. If there is no authority, then what orders can there be? When I had my fill, then I came.
Ignorance of commands
Often dog owners (especially miniature ones) do not consider it necessary to teach their pet commands. To call the four-legged dog to them, they can use different expressions: “Come here,” “Let’s go home,” or simply whistle or call. As a result, the animal does not develop a clear reflex to a particular command. And if today the baby reacts to such a phrase and comes up to you, then tomorrow he won’t even move his ear, no matter how much you scream.
Sexual needs
I'm crazy, I need her.
Oh, this reason is known to owners of males and females. The first ones, sensing a madam with interesting affairs, immediately turn on “yours, don’t understand me,” proudly ignoring the owner. It is possible, but difficult, to bring a male dog excited by the smells of the “bride” back from the clouds to the ground. This is provided that the pet is on a leash.
It’s more difficult if the dog smells the “lady” without a leash. The male takes off and runs to the call of his sexual instinct.
A bitch, being in heat, is capable of presenting a surprise to the owner. Hormones, as they say, “hit the brain” and the always obedient dog becomes a strange creature. All so sudden, with a languid look and complete immersion in her emotions. And the young lady is capable of succumbing to hormonal changes, running away from her owner during a walk.
How to behave while walking together
If you don’t want your dog to feel mistrusted when you call him to you, it is important to follow these simple rules.
You can't run after a dog
When a dog runs away from you, you don’t need to immediately run after it, trying to catch it. The dog can interpret this behavior as the beginning of a game. And if you also shout out threats, the animal will be even more afraid to approach you.
If it so happens that the dog goes on the run, no matter how strange it may seem, you need to do the opposite. Turn around and start running away from your pet in the opposite direction. At the same time, be sure to make sure that the dog sees you running away. If the dog is not a “walker” and is not afraid of you, then most likely it should follow you.
If the dog does not see that you have turned around and are leaving, then make it pay attention to you: whistle, clap your hands, call it. As soon as the animal pays attention, you can leave. If the pet continues to go about its business, change the trajectory of movement: jump, sit down sharply. Such unusual behavior is sure to attract the attention of the four-legged animal.
You can't scold or punish a dog
Under no circumstances should you scold (let alone punish) a dog that came up to you on the command: “Come to me!” And it doesn’t matter what the pet did before. If you missed the moment and did not punish him for the offense at the exact moment it was committed, then no matter how angry you are, you can no longer punish the dog that came up to you on command. The dog can interpret everything differently: I approached - I was punished. If the four-legged animal comes up on command, praise it and treat it with a treat.
You can’t put your dog on a leash immediately after calling him.
You should not immediately after you have called your pet to you and he has approached you, take him on a leash to go home. By doing this, you will develop a negative attitude towards the team and the leash.
To prevent this from happening, call the four-legged dog over to you, praise him, pat him behind the ear, tell him how great he is and let him go for another walk. Do this several times and only then can you attach him to the leash. But even in this case, you don’t need to go home right away. Play with the animal, frolic, jump, run after the ball together and only after that calmly go home.
You can't fool a dog
If your “non-hearing dog” does not want to approach you, you do not need to deceive him by showing him a treat or toy, and do not reward him with these lures when he approaches you. If your little ear fell for such a trick and came up to you when you lured him with a tasty treat, then be sure to let him eat it. If it is a toy, then play with this toy with your pet for at least a couple of minutes.
You can't call your dog with anger in your voice.
Never get angry at an animal or call it with threats. Like: “Come to me, you stupid thing!” Remember, any team should be associated with pleasant moments.
Ensure that the command is completed
If you give a command, then you must ensure that the pet carries it out. Otherwise, in the future, the dog will decide that it is not at all necessary to do what the owner orders.
Do not let your pet go in unfamiliar places
When walking in an unfamiliar place or at night, you should not let your pet go. A sudden bang or a bird flying out of the bushes can greatly frighten a four-legged animal. From severe fright, the tail can run away without looking back and simply cannot find the way back.
Walk on a leash
To keep your dog safe, walk only on a leash in crowded places. This way you will prevent the risk of other animals attacking your pet or an unfriendly person.
Watch your mood
When a dog feels that the owner is angry or dissatisfied, he has a desire not to approach the owner, or to run away altogether.
Encourage your pet
Every time you execute a command, be sure to reward the animal. And it doesn’t have to be a treat. The four-legged dog will be no less happy if this is a joint game.
Learn the command “Come to me!”
This will require a lot of effort and time. But if your pet runs as fast as he can towards you at this command, you can rest assured about his safety during walks.
Bring a long leash and treats. It is best to use a long canvas leash for training rather than a tape measure to teach this command.
During a walk, when the dog moves away from you at a distance of an extended leash, command: “Come to me!” and entice the tail with a treat. When the dog comes running to you, praise him and give him a treat. If the baby does not want to come, gently pull the leash. When the dog is next to you, praise it, give it a treat and let it “free swim” again.
Repeat this action several times during your walk. This way the pet will quickly learn that the faster he approaches, the faster he will get the tasty morsel.
Never say the command “Come to me!” if the baby does not yet know it or cannot perform it. The first time to give the command “Come to me!” it is necessary at the moment when the tail is already running towards you, or you can direct it with a leash.
Every time you execute a command, reward your pet, even if he is already an adult and knows the command perfectly. Never say “Come to me!” if the dog is passionate about something. Attract your pet's attention with a nickname, and when he looks in your direction, boldly say a command.
Problems with the “come to me” command
To me? No, have not heard.
In other words, the dog does not know the “come to me” command. Or the command is poorly practiced, and the dog is off the leash and is attracted by everything new and unknown. This situation can happen to dogs that have visited a training area. It’s one thing to practice and execute a command in familiar conditions, with a minimum amount of stimuli; it’s quite another thing to practice it in a city or in a completely new territory.
How to catch a fugitive
If your dog runs away, there are several ways to catch the fugitive.
Play hide and seek with your pet
If the dog runs away from you, it is necessary to form a new behavior pattern in which the dog will be forced to constantly monitor you. There is a very effective way to prevent escapes and it is called “Hide and Seek”.
While walking with your pet, hide behind a tree or bush. At the same time, always keep the tail in sight. Next, say his name out loud.
The baby will definitely start looking for you, and when he finds you, he will be very happy. When leaving the shelter, rejoice wildly with the dog, praise it, and treat it with a treat.
I started playing a similar game with Jackusik at home, when he couldn’t walk outside due to the lack of all the necessary vaccinations.
In case of escape, be unpredictable
If a dog runs away from you, do something unpredictable, because a dog that is carried away by something may not hear its owner’s calls to return.
Throw a plastic bottle, leash or glove towards a walking four-legged animal, clap your hands, jump or sit up sharply. You can even lie down on the ground and start howling. Well, let passers-by think that you are a client of the “Kanatchikova Dacha” (as in V. Vysotsky’s song), but such strange behavior will definitely attract the attention of the “fugitive”.
Make your client feel jealous
Alternatively, you can try demonstratively petting and praising someone else’s dog, saying: “What a good boy!” All four-legged animals have a very well developed sense of jealousy. Therefore, most likely, your lack of hearing will immediately come running and, having driven away the opponent, he himself will begin to fawn on you.
Certain breeds and predispositions
Everyone ran, and I ran.
Among the runaway dogs, the first place can be safely given to the husky. These blue-eyed, absolutely adorable dogs are made for long runs. And living in the city, most “Hasei” do not satisfy their needs for physical activity. Where can you be satisfied when they walk with you at the roulette table, at a leisurely pace...
Finding itself without a leash, the husky's instinct kicks in - to run. And with the ability to cover over 10 km a day, it is quite difficult to find such a runner.
By the way, hunting dogs also often run away from their owners. The fact is that a pet, having discovered something interesting (especially the trace of some animal), immediately joins the hunt and begins to pursue it.
Install a dog house
To make your dog feel comfortable in the yard, equip him with a good kennel. Make sure your friend can wear it to protect themselves from rainy weather or the sun. If you are not sure which booth is needed for your breed, consult a pet store. Also, don’t be surprised if your pet avoids her at first. Typically, dogs need time to get used to their new home. Help her do this with the help of familiar toys, soft bedding and your things.
Reason for running away
It happens that an animal runs away, frightened by a car horn, the noise of a construction site, bright flashes of light, or strangers passing by the fence.
Having understood the reason for the dog’s fear, follow a number of rules:
- Try to eliminate the causes of fear.
- If elimination is not possible, limit the cause of exposure to the animal. For example, take it into the house during periods of strong noise.
- Try to understand where the dog hides when very frightened. Create a “shelter” at home that reminds the animal of this place in appearance.
- Try to “desensitize” your pet - teach it not to be afraid of frightening phenomena. Start accustoming to small “doses” of the stimulus by being nearby and calming the animal. Little by little, teach your pet to calmly react to frightening phenomena.
- Fearing separation, the pet runs away, trying to find its owner. Make leaving and returning unnoticeable, letting the dog know that nothing bad will happen, the owner will definitely return.
If the dog is too restless and suspicious, give special sedatives prescribed by a veterinarian.
Low activity
Hurray, I'm walking!
When a pet is taken out for a walk twice a day, for ten minutes, it accumulates a huge amount of energy. Some dogs, trying to throw it out, begin to destroy the house. Others become extremely hysterical, and still others, seizing the moment while walking, run away from their owners.
Some dogs may not wait until they are let off the leash, but simply break it off and go explore the world around them. This is usually done by very large dogs, whose owner is not always able to physically hold the pet due to his size.
Take advantage of the Internet
How to find a lost dog? You have access to the Internet! This is the most effective way of informing. Literally from the first minutes of your search, publish a message on social networks that your dog is missing. Ask your friends to make this post go viral. Let it go through all possible distribution channels to reach as many people as possible.
Go to special dog groups on social networks and publish your message in them.
Ask people for help so that they can let you know if someone spots your dog on the street.
Involve not only social networks, but also the websites of your city. Especially specialized ones dedicated to the sale and search of animals.
Monitor online advertisements for dogs for sale when you suspect your pet has been stolen.
Information spreads fastest on the Internet. Therefore, the chances that your friends from Facebook, OK or VK will help you are much higher!
Leisure facilities
It happens that a smart animal is simply bored of being in a confined space for days on end. So the dog runs away from the house into the street in the hope of discovering something new and interesting. A yard, preferably attractive from a dog's point of view, will help to interest the animal and keep it. Then you won't want to leave.
- Place more dog toys in the yard - favorite pastimes. Replace those that are boring. After a while, the old toys, brought to light, will again seem new to the animal.
- Play with your pet in the yard more often to develop a positive conditioned reflex. The yard will become associated with something fun and exciting. For an animal that moves little and leads a measured lifestyle, games will allow them to lose excess energy potential.
- For a dog that spends most of its time in the yard, leave drinks and favorite treats outside. This will serve to develop a positive conditioned reflex.
Fear of separation
Dogs are truly loyal to their owners, no matter who they are, so there is a chance that the pet will run away from home in search of you.
Fear of separation arises precisely because of attachment to the owner. It is activated when the pet cannot go with you, for example, to work. Therefore, determine whether he is sad in your absence.
So, we have decided what could be the reasons why a dog leaves home. Now let's move on to simple steps that will help prevent him from running away.
Remember: you can do more
Today, running with a dog is reaching a professional level. There are canicross (not an ordinary jogging, but a sports discipline with its own championship) and special starts (the dog marathon in Peru, for example).
Cases when a pet and owner ran a half marathon together are also not uncommon. Try it too. Just remember that an athlete dog requires proper nutrition (use specially formulated sports food and energy supplements) and special care (regularly do an ECG, heart echogram and blood biochemistry, and also check joints).
Stop action
Ideally, your dog will run towards you. But this requires him to stop and change route, which can be difficult. For a simpler approach, encourage him to stop and lie down.
One of the best skills to learn is to lie down quickly. It is easier for a dog to fall than to turn around and run towards a person.
Therefore, teach your dog the “LIE” command in advance.
In fact, you can sit down and then pretend that you are playing with a toy to entice your dog to come take a look.
