Advice needed please

[Lisasharland]

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Good day, not to sure where to start, but here goes. The end of September last year we rescue a 4 year old Yorkshire terrier female neutered, she's not had the best start unfortunaly the gentle man that had her had dementia, forgot to feed her, walk her which unfortunately wasn't his fault it was the illness, she was the passed on to a lady who had for three months, then got moved on to another lady who already had 4 dog and was only a foster a home. We decided we would give her a new home where she would be loved and be a friend to our jack Russell cross. Within the first few week she kept trying to escape, a couple of time she managed it and we had to go after her. We just put it down to new surrounding and people she should get use to it. Shortly after getting her I started dog training classes and she started learning commands. The escaping is getting worse, she has to be tied in the car in case when we open the boot she runs, I've had to chase her down the road a few times but where we moved to now it by a really busy road. There nothing I can say that indicate why she run but she does and all the training goes out the window, if she stopped on her own and I catch up with and tell to stay she has so far, it's starting to get unsafe it a worry when ever someone comes to the door or we go out. I'm not sure what the best thing for her is, do I consider rehoming or do I look at putting a long line on her. I'm unable to use stair gates as of the lay out of my house and anxiety of my jack Russell she better with free roaming of the house when we're out other wise she stress herself. Please someone give some advise I'm desperate. Many thanks

 

[gypsysmum2]

How awful for you! Both practically and emotionally that is. A dog that bolts all the time is such a worry and you must feel awful that she seems to want to do it.

It would be wonderful to know why she does it. Most behaviour problems are better solved by finding out why and then addressing the cause. Is she nervous? If so increasing her confidence would be the way forward. Is she trying to escape from something? A noise, your other dog, etc? We may never know. The only thing then is to try to control her in some way.

It is one of the hardest things for a dog to do - turn around and come back when it is in full flight. Could you teach a "stop" or "wait" command. It would be easier for her to stop rather than turn around and come back.

You could put a long line on her and let her trail it. Put one foot on it and say "wait" or your chosen command. As she does so give her a fantastic reward. Do not expect her to come towards you as this will confuse her. Just walk up the long line and give her the reward. Repeat lots and lots of times in all sorts of places. Keep the distance short to start with and gradually increase it as she improves.

Once she is good on the long line then practice in safe, enclosed spaces. When you have to use the command for real do make sure you use the same command, in the same tone of voice. It is so easy for panic to set in and then we end up shouting and scaring the dog.

Your trainer, if a good one, should be able to help you. If not then look for a trainer from the APDT in your area. They will often make house calls. If you wanted to try to solve the whole issue of why she does it then a Qualified Behaviourist from either COAPE or APBC would be the way to go.

 

[Lisasharland]

Thank for your response I may look into a behaviourist more to fact to see if we can find out why but like you've said we may never know, we can go weeks even months with out anything then out the blue she try her luck, I've installed a gate ( not very well but it there) by the front door, I'm also gonna look into getting a small crate for under the stair so when the door go I can put her in her space to be able open it. In case it the fear of us opening door but who know I'm willing to try anything but thank you for your response it give me that extra boost in trying to help her thank you

 

[JoanneF]

If she is insured, a behaviourist may be covered by this.