I REALLY Need Help with Our Runaway/Active 10-Month Old Puppy

[QM]

I'm quite stressed right now. Our puppy keeps running away. To give her more outdoor time in the summer, DH made a dog run...which she learned how to escape from every time. She uses things (including the dog run fence itself) to climb up and over the fence. It's very frustrating. Now our puppy has learned how to hop over our actual 'yard fence'. She uses the bush branches (the large bushes go all the way around our entire yard) to climb and hop over the fence. As soon as she escapes from the yard she runs like a maniac for all she's worth. She won't come when we say 'come' and she just goes and goes and goes.

Now to keep her safe we have to keep her on a leash the entire time she's in the backyard. Either we're holding it while she pees or she's tied somewhere to get some fresh air and walk around a bit.

She's half Bichon Frise, half Japanese Chin. I never knew this dog would be so hard to train. She still doesn't 'let us know' when she needs to pee even though we got her at 8 weeks; it has been a long time since we've had a accident in the house. We have a bell hanging on a string by the back door that we try to get her to jingle every time she goes out, but she's not picking up on it.

I have a home childcare, so throughout the day I have between 2 (my own) to 6 (4 daycare kids) to take care of. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings I have activities that I bring the girls to so she doesn't get much attention those evenings until DH gets home. When DH gets home he's tired and wants to make supper and relax. There are days that DH is away on business trips, so DH doesn't get home earlier than me to let her out of her crate.

Because our puppy isn't trustworthy (still jumps up on furniture, chews/licks things she shouldn't) we have her in a crate when we're out of the house or need a break from her.

We've taken her to puppy training classes, and honestly I thought they were a bit of a joke. Our puppy has the basic concepts of sit, stay, come, fetch, etc., but if she doesn't want to (especially when she escapes) there is no stopping her.

We also don't walk her. I'm exhausted by the end of the day as is DH. The only "exercise" she gets is playing with the kids (or myself/DH when we have time), walking around the house and walking around the backyard on her leash. We play games as fetch and get it and wrestle her a bit to get some of her energy out, but it obviously isn't working...because she has this desire to run away.

Do you have any tips or suggestions as to what we can do? She ran away again tonight; I caught up with her around the block and caught her in someone's backyard after minutes of trying. She could have been killed had she run onto the road or behind a car backing up. DH and I are talking about selling her much to the kids despair. My two girl and I were in tears thinking about selling her, but even though we love her might not be giving her the attention she needs.

I want to keep her (and I think DH will give her another chance), but I don't need the headache of her hopping fences or running away the second a door is open a crack and there's a chance for her to run.

[Ceashels]

Is your husband able to put a chain link or chicken wire "roof" on the fenced in dog run, that way she can climb but won't get over?

I've seen wire fence at Lowe's that is Shop Red Brand 60" x 50' Wire Garden Fence at Lowes.com light weight but easy to connect to the existing pen.

Can she be entertained by toys that require her to work to get the treat out of the ball? They will also take some energy away from her legs.

[pollypurebred39]

Maybe this will help

Stop Your Dog Running Away, Escaping, Roaming or Not Coming Back When Called

[QM]

Maybe this will help

Stop Your Dog Running Away, Escaping, Roaming or Not Coming Back When Called

Thanks for the link, Polly! That so funny because I've been surfing the web, and that was one of the links I looked at.

Maybe she's bored...I don't know. Now I'm surfing the web for toys that stimulate puppies. I'm very desperate here, and if there is a toy or two that keep her busy and happy...even though I'm frugal...I'll buy it!

If you (or anyone else) have suggestions on top-notch stimulating toys that have worked for you and your puppy, please let me know!

[Spirit Deer]

How much time do you work with her every day on obedience training?

How much time do you spend every day walking her so she gets enough exercise to tire her out and take the edge off?

If you don't have time for those two things, maybe it would be best to let her go to someone else who has time to care for her and train her. That can be a tough decision, but it's better than losing her by being hit by a car or having some other disaster happen.

[pollypurebred39]

I think if I were you I'd call my vet and ask if they had any animal behaviorist that they could recommend. You know, a dog whisper. LOL! Seriously, talk with your vet, they are your best resource for animal behavior problems.

[pollypurebred39]

Here's so info on the breeds. Seems obedience training is going to be a must here. I really think your vet can lead you to a trainer with the skills needed to curb this behavior. It certainly does not seem like a lost cause after reading about each breed. She is still quite young. I think there is lots of hope for your little one.

Chin Information and Pictures, Japanese Spaniel, Japanese Chin

Bichon Frise Information and Pictures, Bichon Frises, Bichons

[madhen]

It really sounds like she just needs more stimulation. Can your kids walk her at all? Even around the backyard, and work with her or get her some agility-type games and play with her in a way that works her brain. Also, they can put a long lead on her and practice recall training. Does she always go to the same place when she breaks out? Maybe something there is attracting her, and you can replicate it in your yard?

[QM]

How much time do you work with her every day on obedience training?

How much time do you spend every day walking her so she gets enough exercise to tire her out and take the edge off?

If you don't have time for those two things, maybe it would be best to let her go to someone else who has time to care for her and train her. That can be a tough decision, but it's better than losing her by being hit by a car or having some other disaster happen.

When she's running/walking around the house, I often work on a few dog obedience things. For example, when I'm setting her food or a treat down, I make her sit and wait, then I walk away, then say 'go get it' for her to run to it. I often make her 'lay down and stay' beside me while I'm working on something (i.e., laundry or the computer). I practice 'come' with her in which is almost always comes when called. I do have to repeat it often though for her to finally come...she takes her time. If she doesn't come we get her and make her come with us...just like she would if she were a little child.

Sometimes I wonder if it's her age--10 months. I've talked to some dog owners where they say their dog didn't calm down until he/she was 2 to 3 years old. Other people say there dog could be left unattended in the home around 7 months...not our puppy!

It really sounds like she just needs more stimulation. Can your kids walk her at all? Even around the backyard, and work with her or get her some agility-type games and play with her in a way that works her brain. Also, they can put a long lead on her and practice recall training. Does she always go to the same place when she breaks out? Maybe something there is attracting her, and you can replicate it in your yard?

Honestly, I think you're right, Madhen! I'm sure she needs more stimulation. I don't have the time or energy to be racing her around the yard in the afternoon when I have a few minutes of spare time. After taking the daycare kids to playgroup or running errands, I'm really tired! When the daycare kids are napping, I want to put my feet up or get a few things done.

We were telling the girls tonight that they have to take her in the backyard on her leash and play with her more. We definately need to make coming to us more exciting. You can tell on her face that when we call her she's thinking, "Do I have to?" as she slowly trudges towards us.

I don't think there is a specific place she wants to run. She just wants to go. So far, she has been staying off the street...LONG MAY THAT CONTINUE! I feel sad that we have to keep her on a leash at all times. Our backyard isn't safe, I guess, since she can easily hop over the fence. Since our backyard is large and the tall bushy trees are surrounding the backyard, it would be extremely costly to have a new fence put around the backyard...I'm guessing $4,000 based on what it cost for a fence at our other house before we moved.

DH says that he'll make an effort to walk her. He was the one who wanted a dog; I didn't want one because I knew 90% of the responsiblity would be put on me...which it has! He always wanted a big dog, but after doing some research on breeds and dogs who are best with kids I decided on the breed we have. DH would have rather had a lab or something big, but we ended up with a 7 lb fluffy white dog. If we 'had' to get a dog, it had to be one that I wanted! I don't know why DH hasn't put in much effort. I guess it's that we're both tired at the end of the day and don't want to make the time to walk her. I don't know. I don't know if that's the reason she has this energy to want to run away. She is played with quite a bit IMO, loved and treated well. There may be days when she's in her crate longer than I would like (while we're running to evening activities, etc.), but we don't intentionally mistreat or neglect her.



I wish I had the answers to this. I wish I knew what to do. If we're not the best for her, then we'll sell her...I guess. I just want her to be taken care of the best way possible. If we can't, maybe someone else can.

[QM]

Madhen - Since you seem to be an expert with dogs, what toys or bones do you recommend for mental stimulation. (If it's easier to post a link to another site to 'see' what you're describing, please do so!) Our puppy often tosses her toys around making them squeek. We'll toss them, she'll run after them like a crazy dog then race it to her little bed. She's a very fun-loving and happy dog. She's very good with all the kids and has the gentlest nip ever. It's a shame she has this desire to run away. If there are some 'magic and wonderful' stimulation toys that are great for dogs, I'll buy it! We have a little kong toy that I sometimes stuff cheese in. She loves it, but I'm not sure I should give it to her every day. Would giving it to her every day spoil her and make her expect it?

Had I known having a dog would be this hard, I would never have got one...nor would DH I'm sure. But now that we have her the girls and I love her (DH likes her), and it would be such a shame to see her go. I get teary eyed thinking about it.

[Suzan Bits]

There have ben some very good sugestoins made here.

Removeing the "option" of escape is critical or she will be hurt.

It seem's that actoin uotside of yuor yard calls very loudly to this dog. Wile there is not a stronger call in her yard that bonds her to her teritory (yard) or her pack (yuor family).

Dogs are pack animals. There is early and constant pack reinforcement of hyarchy. Tho to humans it mite apear harsh to watch dominance and submissoin between dogs it is what bonds them together. They are much happier when they understand there positoin. They become "Part of" the gruop and want to stay with it.

Keeping her safe is the first priority.

The second priority is tuff.
Comitting to- or acknowledgeing that yuor family can not aford the substantial amuont of time required to drasticly modify her behaviors.
To choose one or the other doesnt reflect yuor love or lack of love for her.
She is not happy now. Yuor family is not happy with her actions. If yuo find her a new home- hopefully the new owner wil have the time to give her, and she wil have the opertunity to become a wel adjusted dog.

If yuo deside to keep her it wil absolutely take adiquite exersize and a graet deel of work with her until she understands that yuor yard is her teritory and yuor family are her pack.
I wish yuo and yuor dog wel.

[QM]

Here are a few pics of our puppy. (Just so you see how cute she is! )

Pic #1 - The kijiji ad picture of her before we adopted/bought her.
Pic #2 - Her sleeping on the couch while DH and I were watching TV.
Pic #3 - I think this pic was taken a few days after we brough her home. We were trying to teach her to pee on newpaper by the door...which didn't work very well. haha!
Pic #4 - She got dirty playing in her dog run area.
Pic #5 - This was taken a few weeks ago. She was sitting beside me while I was at the computer.
Pic #6 - Her enjoying a big bone.

[madhen]

Not all dogs are that hard. Basset hound puppies calm down pretty quickly, and even if they run, they have stumpy little legs.

It sounds like the trick you'll need to accomplish is to make your yard more exciting than what is OUTSIDE your yard.

If you have room in your yard, consider getting an agility tunnel, hoops, and/or a ramp, or teach her to run through poles - get creative. Your kids will enjoy it, and it is great exercise for everyone! The trick is to make her use her brain. You'll never keep up with her physically, but it is pretty easy to tire her out mentally!

Also, there are some great foraging toys for pups. If you feed her kibble, you can give her ALL her meals in them, and save the treats for training. The Buster Cube is wonderful for keeping them busy (although it gets noisy if they use it on a hard surface). There are a range of toys that were designed by a Swedish woman named Nina Ottosson that you used to have to buy on-line, but now I see them at Petsmarts and such. They force the dog to puzzle out (literally) how to get to their food.

If she likes to "gut" her toys, there are some that you can get that are nested, so she can pull toys out of toys. There is one that is a beehive with little stuffed bees, another is a trunk with squirrels, etc. Lots of squeakers and such. I would reserve those, again, as treats for jobs well done. She needs to EARN everything she gets, and she needs to realize that YOU are the magic treat-dispensing machine.

Recall training is very easy. Just attach a long clothesline to her collar, then get someone to act as the distractor. Start by just having that person stand still, and not very far away, and when your pup gets bored and looks at you, TREAT. Keep making the "distractor" more and more exciting, but always have a better treat than him. Then start working on distance. The rule of thumb with recall training is to only work on one thing at a time: distance, distraction, duration. Don't expect her to learn two things at once, and don't move to the next harder lesson until she has the first one down SOLID. When she consistently turns from the distracting boring person at your recall command, THEN make it a distracting person with a toy, but don't make it a distracting person with a toy who is now five feet further away. You should eventually be able to put her on a long lead, have your distracting person several yards away, doing everything in his power to get her to come, and when she runs for him, to give her a recall command that turns her around in her tracks and has her coming back to you. It will take time, but it is doable.

Again, depending on the age of your kids, they tend to be natural dog trainers and to enjoy the process.

[QM]

Also, there are some great foraging toys for pups. If you feed her kibble, you can give her ALL her meals in them, and save the treats for training. The Buster Cube is wonderful for keeping them busy (although it gets noisy if they use it on a hard surface). There are a range of toys that were designed by a Swedish woman named Nina Ottosson that you used to have to buy on-line, but now I see them at Petsmarts and such. They force the dog to puzzle out (literally) how to get to their food.

If she likes to "gut" her toys, there are some that you can get that are nested, so she can pull toys out of toys. There is one that is a beehive with little stuffed bees, another is a trunk with squirrels, etc. Lots of squeakers and such. I would reserve those, again, as treats for jobs well done. She needs to EARN everything she gets, and she needs to realize that YOU are the magic treat-dispensing machine.

Recall training is very easy. Just attach a long clothesline to her collar, then get someone to act as the distractor. Start by just having that person stand still, and not very far away, and when your pup gets bored and looks at you, TREAT. Keep making the "distractor" more and more exciting, but always have a better treat than him. Then start working on distance. The rule of thumb with recall training is to only work on one thing at a time: distance, distraction, duration. Don't expect her to learn two things at once, and don't move to the next harder lesson until she has the first one down SOLID. When she consistently turns from the distracting boring person at your recall command, THEN make it a distracting person with a toy, but don't make it a distracting person with a toy who is now five feet further away. You should eventually be able to put her on a long lead, have your distracting person several yards away, doing everything in his power to get her to come, and when she runs for him, to give her a recall command that turns her around in her tracks and has her coming back to you. It will take time, but it is doable..

I don't know if our backyard will ever be exciting enough for her. She's an extremely social dog and loves people so much! You should see how excited she gets about everything when we go for walks!

The recall training sounds tricky. Maybe I should watch a few youtube videos to see exactly what you're describing.

Thanks so much for all your help. I'm seriously thinking of buying her a "Buster Cube" even though we have hardwood and ceramic floors. Using her brain and wearing her out is my motivation; I don't care about the noise it takes to do it. I'll also look into those puzzle things you described. I'm sure PetSmart will know what I mean.

[madhen]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Nina-Ottosson-Wooden-Dog-Brick/dp/B003F1JYCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320638706&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Brick: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21vu3OuOLWL.@@AMEPARAM@@21vu3OuOLWL[/ame]

Above is an example of a foraging toy. My lab LOVED this one. You can get them cheaper now, as well.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-PP01056-Hide---Squirrel-Large/dp/B0002I0O60/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1320638801&sr=8-4"]Amazon.com: Kyjen PP01056 Hide-A-Squirrel Pet Toy, Large: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4111ntXtwDL.@@AMEPARAM@@4111ntXtwDL[/ame]

Example of a puzzle toy.