Bolting when off the lead

[DTJazz]

We have had a couple of scares over the past couple of weeks with Jazz being startled when off the lead and bolting for home - twice she has ran across a main road!
She is only off the lead in a field which is only used by the occasional dog walker and is over 100 yards away from a road... but twice she has been spooked and ran for home (once by a dog suddenly barking in a backgarden and secondly by deer running) Both times we have got within 30 yards of her before she crossed the road and she has stopped and then turned and ran again!

As a supplement she has never been enthusiastic about walks - our previous dogs recognised the word 'walk' and the lead being picked up and showed excitment. Jazz doesnt and walks slowly to the field and yet pulls all the way home! Is it because our older dog stays at home and she thinks she is missing something?

to pre-empt questions she is happy when on the walk (although lags behind on the way up the field and leads all the way back) she loves meeting other dogs and plays well when she meets other friendly dogs.

I know some may say keep her on the lead but the thought of her not getting time to run and explore will just lead to her being difficult in the house and although she gets time on and off the lead on walks -she doesnt really get a proper run on the lead.

Any advice appreciated.

[Tedsmum]

I would definately walk her with either your older dog or team up with another dog. She will likely gain confidence from the presence of another dog and not need to run at every noise that way.
Having said that, I would not be happy to let her off the lead if she were mine having had two close shaves like that already.
A flexi lead or long line would be the other compromise you could make.

[Stuart]

I wouldnt be worried about how she walks when out, or that she bolts,.. but I would be worried about the lack of recall,.. Jazz needs to learn that above all things, she needs to know that it is safe with you, and not feel the need to run for safety

I would start all over again with the recall, it sounds like her life may depend on it,......... good luck

[DTJazz]

Thanks guys and I cant disagree with either point of view - Stuart her recall in house is great and most times (without distraction) in the field is good - but not perfect by any means. Do we take better goodies with us for recall reward? She does get spooked when dogs bark and she cant see them and cars, loud noises etc But sadly you cant predict these things.
Tedsmum - we did think about walking with Keira but she is 13 and a half and cant really cope with anything other than a trip around the block. But as yet they havent been walked together so maybe worth a try.

[zetstaff]

Hi, my Boris is a little sod off his lead, we NEVER let him off unless we take them to the country park. Cos of OH's shifts, that means once every 3 weeks
but my two have a good home + in the meantime they have lead walks everyday (apart from ice/snow/injury)

Boris is as good as gold indoors + a little sod when off his lead. Tilly is a little sod indoors but fantastic off lead.

Have tried everything with recall for Boris, not happening

Don't know what the answer is but just wanted you to know you're not on your own xxx

[kita]

When she bolts rather than trying to recall her it may be worth telling her 'down' - if you could drop her to the ground she cannot run any more and you stand a better chance of being able to walk up and clip her lead on.

The other option (although hard to do) is shout 'bye' and run in the opposite direction. That way she feels she is being left on her own and will be more likely to turn and follow you.

Also does she play with any toys on a walk? If you carry a tug type toy that she is really keen on you can produce it when you want her to come to you, then when she comes have a tug game with her as a reward.

Sue

[max's mom]

I have always had trouble with recall with Max, he just totally ignores me if he see's a rabbit or bird, he's focused on chasing and has gone out of site before! It's very scary I know!

May sound silly but I have a horse's long lunge lead, he can have a run but carn't escape! We do get in a bit of a tangle though xx

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by max's mom

I have always had trouble with recall with Max, he just totally ignores me if he see's a rabbit or bird, he's focused on chasing and has gone out of site before! It's very scary I know!

May sound silly but I have a horse's long lunge lead, he can have a run but carn't escape! We do get in a bit of a tangle though xx

Awww bless ya

I think Boris is destined for a life of lead walking unless we go to country park. Then we have the problem of SBT off a lead etc etc

Can't win here xxxx

[J&J]

If she's doing this it would be wise to have her on a long line for safety..

I made mine for under a tenner, they are over 30 meters long, tying knots along the line is useful as you can allow some free running, but if the start heading off you can stamp on the long line to stop them..

I always used my long line in combination with an harness, only clipping the long line directly on their collar when doing recall work, so to avoid the possibility of a whip lash neck injury.. It's also usefull to wear a pair of gloves to prevent friction burn, I got a pair of riding gloves that has grips between the fingers for riding raigns..

And now with the weather as it is, they come back out if we take the dogs over the ponds or down the canal, if they decide to venture onto the ice, we've got the option to haul them back in out of harms way..

With the long line you can then practice recall until 100%

[Mewzard]

Both times we have got within 30 yards of her before she crossed the road and she has stopped and then turned and ran again!

Just thought with this - did you run to her? If you did maybe; she interpreted it as "run away/retreat".

Everyone else suggestions were great and i may try some myself. Oka has ran across our street (kids or OH have left the stair gate open, then opened the front door), not particually busy, but both times there was a car?! She doesn't listen when she is excited (usually around dogs)and i think i'll be doing some field recall.