Comment

Comment by Geri & Sidney on November 15, 2010 at 10:47pm

That's great news! Excellent job, both you and Bingley!

Comment by Mr. Bingley on November 15, 2010 at 9:40pm

Once again, thank you all for your tips. Bingley -in a matter of only one day- made excellent progress in learning how to wait for my release command before he goes out the front or back door. He goes on-leash out the front door for a walk and off-leash out the back door into his fenced area. Thank you everyone :)

Comment by John Wolff on November 15, 2010 at 1:01pm

We're a dense suburban neighborhood, so we cross streets frequently on-leash. They are NEVER supposed to step off the curb until I say, "cross" (usually preceded by, "wait... ready...").
"Wait... ready... CROSS". We also practice off-leach sometimes.
I hope this teaches them to pause at a curb if they ever get loose.
Gwynn bolted at thunder once, ran off, came home promptly alive.
I've heard of dogs learning to use crosswalks on their own if their dogwalkers always do.
We've had success with the Really Reliable Recall (Leslie Nelson) idea. a.k.a. Emergency Recall.

Comment by Mr. Bingley on November 14, 2010 at 8:09pm

Thank you everyone! Your tips are much appreciated.

Comment by Carla on November 14, 2010 at 5:06pm

I agree with others; it's much easier to train them to stay in the house (not bolt out the door) than it is for them to understand not to go into the street. The door is a smaller area, which you control access to and can manipulate easier than the road. Teaching him not to exit the house without your permission is an easier task to accomplish than trying to teach him to avoid the road. Casey (my Cardi) is actually not allowed on the door mat at all when anybody is getting ready to go out (not because she would bolt, but because she gets underfoot and our door is right next to the basement stairs – corgi underfoot and stairs are not a good combination!).

Good recall is also a must, just in case he does manage to slip out for whatever reason.

Comment by Jane Christensen on November 14, 2010 at 4:45pm

@Geri...Sage and I are working hard right now at the sit/wait command at the door and she is getting it but she's also on her 2nd obedience class where we are working on the different recalls and the come front works well for her. The main purpose for the come front or "sit" wherever she is is to protect them from exactly this issue:)

Comment by Bev Levy on November 14, 2010 at 3:53pm

I would teach him that under no circumstances may he dash out the door! Mine have to sit and wait for permissione before we go out. It can save his life! Just always have him sit before you go out and then give a command (such as alright or heel) when you move forward.

Comment by Geri & Sidney on November 14, 2010 at 3:02pm

Sidney got out once, ran straight into the street, smacked nose-first into a passing car and lost 2 front teeth. It's a nightmare to think about how things might have ended up had he been a split-second faster or slower.
Things we worked on afterwards were (1) for us humans to be more vigilant and ensure the furkids don't have the opportunity to escape and (2) train Sidney that he only approaches the front door if he is leashed. We keep a water squirt bottle next to the front door and if he approaches without being invited, he gets a loud "ack" and a squirt. Now he doesn't go to the door unless he's leashed, or if a stranger is at the door. Still working on that one, LOL. Once I get him in a sit-stay he tends to keep it, though he still woofs at the "intruder". My goal is, I want him to alert me of someone at the door, and then back off when I tell him to.

I'd love it if Sidney has completely reliable recall, but he at times gets a single-minded focus going and can't seem to heed me regardless of what I've tried.

Comment by Jane Christensen on November 14, 2010 at 1:35pm

Does he have a good recall? I would start with that.

Comment by Chris West on November 14, 2010 at 1:18pm

I would recommend teaching him it is not ok to leave the yard rather than trying to teach him to avoid traffic. Have you taken him to obedience class? That is always a really good start. Here are a couple articles about teaching your dog to stay in the yard:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2284324_train-dog-stay-yard.html

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4796564_training-dog-stay-yard.html