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My boxer won't learn off lead

2K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  4paws 
#1 ·
My 14 month old boxer will not come back to me when I go for walks if he sees another dog or person he just runs off towards them they can be the length of a football field away and he's just gone if we don't come across anyone he's great he does the come command sit stay and everything I have done long lead training with him treat training with him I have screamed like a lunatic to try to get him to come I've gone in the opposite direction and he just follows the person with dog I don't know what else to try or should I just lead walk him forever I have had two boxer dog previously and they didn't need to be taught they automatically just came I need help
 
#3 ·
I would not let him off lead at this point. You have to be careful. Even though he may be friendly with other dogs, the dog he is approaching may not be friendly and someone is going to end up getting hurt. Please be responsible and leash your dog.
 
#4 ·
Joannb is correct. Sounds like there is way more work needed with recall before he is ready to be off lead, if ever.

High level distractions are the problem now. The other people and dogs are more interesting to him than you and the treats. I don't believe treat training is effective when it comes to real world distractions because unless the dog is hungry the other dog or squirrel, deer, etc is way more rewarding than a treat.

Also, if you have ever visited a dog park this might be contributing to some of your problems. I made this mistake myself and I quickly learned that the park trained my dog to look at every dog and person as his personal play toy. That's usually what happens at the dog parks. When you dog sees another dog they are able to run over to them and great them and play, or sometimes fight :disgusted:. But the dog doesn't distinguish why that is allowed at the park and not on the street. I'm not sure if this applies to your situation but thought I would add it as food for thought.

As far as helping with you situation: A reliable off lead dog is tricky and dangerous. I'm sure a bunch of very knowledgeable people are going to advise you to seek professional help. Even with that it is hard to find a good balanced trainer that can successfully create a truly reliable off lead dog. Most trainers focus on obedience and maybe some behavior issues. The dangerous part of off lead is that in my opinion you need to be confident that your dog will respond to you every time he is off lead no matter what the distractions are or you risk loosing the life of your dog. Cars, larger animals, scared people with weapons, etc.

I have personally worked with the long lead and put a ton of time in with recall and verbal commands at a distance. I have had really good success with a friend that another member in here knows from another forum. I'm sure Chip will chime in here. You should check this out: Home

Read through the entire website before you make any judgments. I'm not sure what your feelings are on Ecollars but this site helps explain what they are like now and how to use them correctly. They use them on an extremely low level. It is not a shock as so many people think. It's a stimulation. Like a muscle twitch. I put the collar on my self and tested the levels before even getting near my dog, and at the working level we are at it is a level so low that you just barely feel the stim. It is just a way to communicate to your dog and it is not used for discipline. My dog is at a level 14 and I believe my collar goes to 150. Yes you can abuse it if it isn't used correctly. The website will explain everything. I think it's worth your time to check it out and see what you think.

There are tons of really knowledgeable and helpful people in here that I'm sure will be able to help more.

I hope some of this helps!

Good Luck!!:cheers:
 
#5 ·
Nope I would keep him on a leash. I am not nice when someone in my neighborhood has their dog off leash and it comes running toward me and my dogs. I call the sheriff.
I know I sound harsh but really where I live and walk we have a leash law and it wouldn't matter how well trained ones dog is, if if off leash...its a problem.
 
#6 ·
Eek, that situation could go wrong quickly cars,roads, running off, other dogs that aren't friendly with dogs. Defiantly agree what others have said, start off with a long leash for recall..I for one get super frustrated when I see people walking their dogs with no leash on the sidewalks, and than see their dog bounding towards yours.
 
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