Advice please gsd running off

Hi,
I would be grateful if anyone could offer me some advice please.
I have previously owned 3 rescue alsatians, without any problems.

Four months ago I rescued a 13 month alsatian (I am his 3rd owner).
He is a friendly dog, I started taking him out on a long training lead & calling him back to me, using small pieces of liver as a reward when he came back, I did this for a few weeks & he started to come back to me immediately whenever I called him (on his long training lead).
So I then started to let him off his lead when it was quite (no distractions) and for two weeks he was brilliant every time I called him back he came immediately back, however one day he decided not to come back & ran off out of sight briefly before coming back near to me & then running off again (it seemed like a big game to him) eventually I got him back.
But a few days later he did it again he just suddenly ran off out of sight, then came back near to me & then ran off completely ?
Again it seemed like a big game to him.
He has for the last month been walked on is long training lead again only, & he comes back every time I call him, however I took him to an enclosed field today & let him off & he just ran around & took no notice of any recall command it seemed like a big game to him.
I have never experienced this before if I walk him on his long training lead he comes back every time he is called, but if I let him off he just runs & dosn't respond to any command.
Does anyone have any advice how to resolve this ?

[super D]

What do you do when he doesnt come back, do you chase or anything like that, as pupster will think its a game.

If in an enclosed secure area, start walking off maybe, see what he does then, ot even lay down on the floor lol, and yes I have done this pmsl.

Welcome to the forum too
xxx

[Stuart]

Welcome to the forum

You will have to tell us more about your dog, age?, whats his name?,... it may be different advice depending on a few things,... but basicly recall has to be done in stages, so far you have managed to complete stage one, he seems good on a long line,... but he is not daft, of course he will come back to you because he knows he cant get away,...so you now need to get the next stage under your belt.

Not so easy,... you need to make yourself more exciting to him, than running away from you,.. go back to that secure area, where he can run, but not get too far,..let him run, then call him back,... he probably will not obey.

So, dont chase after him, as Sarah has said, thats probably what he wants you to do,..its a game he likes,...instead, call him once only and walk in the opposite direction, he will probably come back to you,.. dont grab him when he does, dont give him the oppertunity to start the game again,.... praise him in a daft squeeky voice give him a treat, and then re lead him,... do this over and over and over again untill it is faultless.

Sometimes this exercise does bring out the idiot in us, sometimes you do have to do a few daft things, but unless you are seen to be more fun to come back to, he will always fail his recall, because its more fun to run

Bear in mind that once he has returned dont always put the lead on and go home, put it on and release him again,... the last thing you want him to think ,...is, `I have to go home when I return`,...so I wont return,.. even when the lead is on play a little, dont just stop the fun

[Jude]

At 13 months he is in the middle of the "terrible teens" and will quite probably push the boundaries when he can. If I were you I would keep him on a long line while you work on the recall - he has already learned that if he is free he can run off so it will take a great deal more training in a secure situation for him to "unlearn" it and at this stage every time he gets away with it this will re-inforce the bad habit. Initially I would keep hold of the lone line but then start letting him trail it behind him which will give you something to grab hold of/put a foot on if he decides to start running around you and playing silly bs when you call him. Always praise him immediately for returning to you and frequently send him off again - I actually say "go on then" at this stage which gives a clear indication that I do not expect her to stay beside me and she is free to do her own thing again.

Hopefully this "rebellious" stage will pass fairly quickly but any habits that are allowed to develop at this stage will be difficult to cure in the future so the most important thing is to always set him up to succeed and if this means keeping him on a long line for a few months you will see the benefits in the end.

[Caryll]

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with Stuart, you need to make yourself more exciting (ie make yourself look a complete arse!)!

[LOVEGSD]

Hello and welcome

I would up the training, keep him on a longline until his recall is better and keep calling him back to you throughout the course of the walk so he never knows if he's going to be going home. Reward every time he returns.

Thank you for the replies.
I will follow the advice given - his name is "Alfie" (thats the name he had when I got him) & he is now 17 months old, he is a lovely friendly dog.

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by Caryll

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with Stuart, you need to make yourself more exciting (ie make yourself look a complete arse!)!

[Lutgard 1]

Originally Posted by zetstaff