Cocker Spaniel that keeps running away?

Question

My cocker spaniel is 2, and he runs away at every chance he gets. I have a 4 year old son, and as soon as my little one opens our front door, he is out, and he won't come to my calling him, or chasing after him. He is a lovely dog, very affectionate and playful, but this is starting to drive me crazy. I have two little ones and I simply can't leave them in the house while i chase the dog every day.

Does anybody have some tips of what I can do to stop this happening, or to teach him to come when I call him?

Answer 1

First you can help prevent the situation from happening in the first place. How about telling your kids not to open the door without asking mommy first because you don't want the dog to run out of the house. Of course your kids may forget about this rule so you may want to invest in some child proof doorknob cover things. Here is an example of one: http://www.kidsafeinc.com/product/S352/K...

This will at least help with the little ones accidently letting the dog out. As for you always make it a habit when you open the door to first, locate the dog, second watch the dog as you open the door and third block the opening with your foot or body before the dog approaches or runs out. I always do this with my dog to make sure she never gets out.

Now for the training part of this. To teach a dog the command come get some treats, a long leash, collar/harness and your dog. Put the collar and leash on the dog. Keep a hold of the other end of the leash. Now, tell your dog to stay and slowly walk a little ways away from him. Now call "come" firmly. When the dog comes to you give him a treat. and repeat the process and keep increasing your distance from him each time. Once he masters the come command inside the house, start training him with distractions like maybe kids playing and yelling around him etc. Once he masters that then train him outside (still have the leash on him) this will get him used to coming even with all the distractions the outdoors present. Now if your dog does not respond the the come command, this is wear the leash comes in handy. Tug on the dog towards you with the leash, if you have to, pull him all the way then give him the treat. He will soon learn the command this way.

Good luck and hopefully I helped  you out some.

Answer 2

My old dog used to do this, and after we got him neutered it got alot better.

Why not put a pole or something in your front/back garden, and attack his lead to it, so he can roam around and see whats happening without escaping.

Or, if you need to keep him inside, just put baby gates around, although this can be a pain.

Good luck

Answer 3

To teach him to 'come' set him up outside in your back yard or wherever there is a lot of space and command him to sit and stay. (if you haven't taught him those commands, do so. It makes things so much easier) walk away and have a few treats or squeaky toys at disposal. Yell his name and bait him with the treat or toy, and he most likely will come to you. When and if he does, praise him greatly and stroke him. Practice and practice. Also, keep some squeaky toys or treats by the front door, so if he runs out, you can get his attention quickly and get him to return to you. Good luck! Dog training is really a chore. ^^

Answer 4

build a fence and then take him to obedient school

Answer 5

He is not trained.  That is your fault.  He needs to be taught what is right & what is wrong.  You just have not done a good job of training him.  

It is a game to him cause he knows no better.  He simply needs to be trained in what you expect of him.

If you cannot train him, he needs to be fenced in.  A fence is probably going to be your best thing to do cause training is time consuming.