Biggest Scare Ever!

[minimax]

Yeh we occasionally have the issue where they decide whatever they are playing with or going for is of higher value than the food, in that case I walk or run in the opposite direction. I use their recall word to get their attention so they can see me and that usually does it. Max especially hates the thought of being left behind and will usually choose me over whatever she was going for.

However, I've not done formal training with my pugs, so there are probably easier and better ways to do things!

Also forgot to mention that my little girl was recently diagnosed with a rare liver disorder, thus her diet is very strict - chicken & vegetarian treats are pretty much the only things I can give her, so finding an easy carry treat to reward her with had been a little difficult and like you mentioned she often then finds something of higher value than her 9 calorie fruitable biscuit, and when that happens well, I can pretty much forget making her do what I say :laugh:

I suppose I could carry around cooked chicken pieces with me all day, not ideal but hey I'm willing to give anything a go at this point!

Her limited diet does make it a bit more difficult, but maybe you need to make sure her training treats, or recall treats, are kept "special" so that's the only time she gets them - that way to her they might seem higher in value. Can you do something to the chicken to make it a little nicer to carry around with you? Maybe dehydrate it, or prepare it a few different ways for her so it also becomes varied and surprises her and to her seems like a different treat each time? Can she have fresh fruit and veggies? My pugs love fruit and we use fruit as training treats too, as well as veggies.

Also attach a recall word - I went through a few before found one that my guys responded too. They wouldn't respond to the usual "come" or "come here" or anything. Nope, they ended up with "what's this?"

Edited February 15, 2013 by minimax

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

this happened to me once and my blood literally ran cold. You don't realise how frantic you can become ...I was literally like one of those screaming mothers you see on tv...crying out my dog's name....had to have a stiff drink afterwards!

Oh my god thank you for making me laugh out loud - you described my reaction precisely!!! I was stumbling through the soggy mud, tripping over myself like i was in a scene out of some tragic movie, I hugged the guy who helped us catch her out of sheer relief!!

I definitely need a drink, thank god it's Friday!!

[Dame Aussie]

Yeh we occasionally have the issue where they decide whatever they are playing with or going for is of higher value than the food, in that case I walk or run in the opposite direction. I use their recall word to get their attention so they can see me and that usually does it. Max especially hates the thought of being left behind and will usually choose me over whatever she was going for.

However, I've not done formal training with my pugs, so there are probably easier and better ways to do things!

Also forgot to mention that my little girl was recently diagnosed with a rare liver disorder, thus her diet is very strict - chicken & vegetarian treats are pretty much the only things I can give her, so finding an easy carry treat to reward her with had been a little difficult and like you mentioned she often then finds something of higher value than her 9 calorie fruitable biscuit, and when that happens well, I can pretty much forget making her do what I say :laugh:

I suppose I could carry around cooked chicken pieces with me all day, not ideal but hey I'm willing to give anything a go at this point!

Her limited diet does make it a bit more difficult, but maybe you need to make sure her training treats, or recall treats, are kept "special" so that's the only time she gets them - that way to her they might seem higher in value. Can you do something to the chicken to make it a little nicer to carry around with you? Maybe dehydrate it, or prepare it a few different ways for her so it also becomes varied and surprises her and to her seems like a different treat each time? Can she have fresh fruit and veggies? My pugs love fruit and we use fruit as training treats too, as well as veggies.

Also attach a recall word - I went through a few before found one that my guys responded too. They wouldn't respond to the usual "come" or "come here" or anything. Nope, they ended up with "what's this?"

We use "What's this?" aswell, all the time! Dogs barking down the back of the yard or not comning when called?..."What's this?" has them running to me every time:laugh:

[huski]

Similar indeed minimax, if you mean that they are stubborn adorable little piggy dogs! :laugh:

I do practice recalling with food but like poochmad mentioned, it's works out a little differently in an open space. My frenchie is highly, highly playful - everything is a game to her. She's desperate to play all the time and I'm sure in her mind, us calling her and being so panicked seemed like some sort of fun game!

She sounds like a fun little girl! Does she like playing with toys, like fetching a ball or playing tug? Using toys as a motivator might work well for you if she enjoys play and has a restricted diet.

When people have trouble with the dog only recalling if you have food it's usually because the sight of food has become a reward predictor. Try having food in your pockets or in a treat bag hidden behind your back and don't use showing the dog a piece of food as part of the command. Training an exercise like this;

http://k9pro.com.au/services/training-the-behavioural-interrupter/

Can help teach your dog not only to respond to a certain cue or sound but will teach them how to respond to a command without needing to see the reward.

Training a reliable recall isn't really about being the boss or being more assertive, it's about conditioning your dog to respond to a cue, and that doing so will give them the opportunity to earn a reward. Training and playing with your dog and having fun should go hand in hand! :)

[tdierikx]

I tend to yell "ta ta" and start walking in the opposite direction if any of my dogs decides they are going to deviate from behaviour I find acceptable... they have always come to me then. Chasing is a great game to a dog... but running at my age is undignified... lol!

2 of my dogs have pretty exceptional recall, but the 2 younger ones are still learning.

T.

[rubiton]

You need to try the NILIF exercises. Our dog use to take off at the park and refuse to come back til she was ready and it wasnt recall (she KNEW how to come back) it was that she needed to learn respect. In fact I actually found the answer on these forums - somewhere in the training forums (long gone now its was 7 or 8 years back). Exercises like at home mking the dog stay in drop at your feet in front of 20 for 20 minutes - if the dog gets up at any time prior to release it gets put back in the spot and the 20 minutes starts again.

Then there is the having to wait for the human to go through doors (and later once all is good they can go through first IF you send them through) - we got some looks from out dog when she barged through and she was called back outside to wait for us to go in.

The usual sitting and waiting to be released to eat tea from the bowl an humans always eating before the dog.

NOT patting the dog when she comes up and demands it - ignore the dog til she goes elsewhere. Then you can call her over for a pat as many times as you like but its ALWAYS on your terms. No sitting on furniture as the alpha dogs are always higher than the rest of the pack (yes ours later was allowed on the bed for short periods but only by invitation and always has to get off when directed).

We kept this up for about 2 weeks (being directed/invited etc with doors and beds kept up but not the patting or enforcing the stay etc) and guess what suddenly she came back when off lead at the park and did what she was told at other times. If you let them get away with 'stuff' at home obviously they think the same rules apply elsewhere. if there are consequences for not doing as told its not a huge leap for the same things to apply outside the house.

[Horsegal98]

This has happened to me once and it was one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life. So glad you got her again.

[huski]

NILIF isn't really about saying the dogs can't share your space or get on furniture it's about teaching your dog that things of value are controlled by you. I let my dogs on furniture every night but its on my terms. In a pack dogs would sleep and lie together, and at the end of the day I like to have my dogs spending time with me chilling on the lounge etc.

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

Similar indeed minimax, if you mean that they are stubborn adorable little piggy dogs! :laugh:

I do practice recalling with food but like poochmad mentioned, it's works out a little differently in an open space. My frenchie is highly, highly playful - everything is a game to her. She's desperate to play all the time and I'm sure in her mind, us calling her and being so panicked seemed like some sort of fun game!

She sounds like a fun little girl! Does she like playing with toys, like fetching a ball or playing tug? Using toys as a motivator might work well for you if she enjoys play and has a restricted diet.

When people have trouble with the dog only recalling if you have food it's usually because the sight of food has become a reward predictor. Try having food in your pockets or in a treat bag hidden behind your back and don't use showing the dog a piece of food as part of the command. Training an exercise like this;

http://k9pro.com.au/services/training-the-behavioural-interrupter/

Can help teach your dog not only to respond to a certain cue or sound but will teach them how to respond to a command without needing to see the reward.

Training a reliable recall isn't really about being the boss or being more assertive, it's about conditioning your dog to respond to a cue, and that doing so will give them the opportunity to earn a reward. Training and playing with your dog and having fun should go hand in hand! :)

She is very fun huski, but with fun comes lots of mischief :laugh:

Thanks very much for the link and advice, very good reading! You are very right, she does anticipate the treat as my husband (although I'm guilty of it as well!) will often wave the treat in her face in a desperate attempt to get her attention! Not the best tactic I know :laugh:

After food, she is very motivated by toys and we have started picking them up and putting them in a box trying to only give them to her as a reward. I have successfully taught her how to play fetch by using the treat as the reward for giving back the ball, previously I would have to wrestle the ball away from her, she would never give it back!

Where are you located huski, are you part of a group of trainers?

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

Yeh we occasionally have the issue where they decide whatever they are playing with or going for is of higher value than the food, in that case I walk or run in the opposite direction. I use their recall word to get their attention so they can see me and that usually does it. Max especially hates the thought of being left behind and will usually choose me over whatever she was going for.

However, I've not done formal training with my pugs, so there are probably easier and better ways to do things!

Also forgot to mention that my little girl was recently diagnosed with a rare liver disorder, thus her diet is very strict - chicken & vegetarian treats are pretty much the only things I can give her, so finding an easy carry treat to reward her with had been a little difficult and like you mentioned she often then finds something of higher value than her 9 calorie fruitable biscuit, and when that happens well, I can pretty much forget making her do what I say :laugh:

I suppose I could carry around cooked chicken pieces with me all day, not ideal but hey I'm willing to give anything a go at this point!

Her limited diet does make it a bit more difficult, but maybe you need to make sure her training treats, or recall treats, are kept "special" so that's the only time she gets them - that way to her they might seem higher in value. Can you do something to the chicken to make it a little nicer to carry around with you? Maybe dehydrate it, or prepare it a few different ways for her so it also becomes varied and surprises her and to her seems like a different treat each time? Can she have fresh fruit and veggies? My pugs love fruit and we use fruit as training treats too, as well as veggies.

Also attach a recall word - I went through a few before found one that my guys responded too. They wouldn't respond to the usual "come" or "come here" or anything. Nope, they ended up with "what's this?"

We use "What's this?" aswell, all the time! Dogs barking down the back of the yard or not comning when called?..."What's this?" has them running to me every time:laugh:

How funny, whatever works I suppose! Sometimes if she's out in the yard and won't come back I will yell "DIN DINS!" to which she will sometimes respond by running inside straight to the kitchen, I've only ever used it out of sheer desperation - like when it was pouring rain and she decided that it would be fun to cannonball into some puddles! :laugh:

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

This has happened to me once and it was one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life. So glad you got her again.

Indeed, I would never wish it upon any dog owner! Very frightening. I'm off to find her a new collar and harness tomorrow, even though the one we had on her strangely appeared intact and working fine. I don't ever want it happening again.

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

Don't get disheartened it can be done and will take time and effort but the outcome is well worth it. Also those dogs that don't have lots of opportunities to get out and about and explore and get exposed to a multitude of sights and sounds etc tend to be a bit more interested in the big wide world when they 'escape' then those dogs who have lots of social experiences.

Thanks Zeebie you're very right about this, we took her to lots of different places when she was a pup (making sure to be mindful of the fear periods during her socialisation and we tried to make sure she only had positive experiences) and she was fine, however since moving out of the city a few months ago there are only a handful of places we take her now which are quite routine, I think joining an obedience class or driving somewhere new for her walks will open her up to new places more because she is definitely an inquisitive little thing. Sadly not very many of our friends have dogs and my MIL has 2 terriers who are unfortunately horrible with other dogs so her only doggy socialisation comes from meeting dogs on her walks and the times when we put her in daycare to have a play. Definitely not enough doggy interaction for someone as playful as her, she absolutely loves meeting new dogs (and people)!

[Simply Grand]

I've been there as well! And in my case it was totally my own fault, I'd gotten to relaxed about letting them run from the car to the front door off leash - which they always did... Until they didn't A truck backfired as they were getting out of the car and distracted them from their normal routine and two out of three ran off into the busy road out the front of the house. I'm so not a runner but I threw everything I had in my arms to the ground and sprinted towards them screaming their names in a panicked attempt at their normal recall. Realising that wouldn't work and turning and running the other way hoping they'd come was the scariest thing ever and so against my instincts! It worked though, the big one came running over with a big grin about all the fun, the little one following behind her. My legs nearly gave out once I got them safely inside. Needless to say, they stay on lead now!

Great advice from everyone here. Definitely get into some obedience training, but also practice recalls away from that, mine are much more willing to recall at training than in "real life" as they're already in training mode. I'll chuck it. In as I always do, if you can get it I recommend Lesley Nelson's Really Reliable Recall DVD, you can find it on line, it's the method I've used with my three and they now all have a very good recall.

One tip I have is to teach her the word for whatever her FAVOURITE thing is, toy or super yummy treat, and try to only give it to her when she comes to you. Give her this reward whenever she comes over to you, in the house, the yard, especially on leash outside. Practice running backwards when she is on leash and not distracted, calling her in a happy fun tone, then stop, let her come to you, say "chicken" or whatever the reward is and give it to her. Give her the reward with the word as often as you can, but ONLY when she comes over to you, either of her own accord or because you've asked her to, and only when she actually gets to you and lets you get hold of her.

The idea is to condition in her mind that that word means she'll get the BEST THING EVER when she comes to you. Then, in an emergency situation like you had, you call the word and hopefully her little brain automatically goes "ooh best thing ever" and runs to you.

A high pitched, shrill, happy tone is good because it is more likely to get through to the, when they're all excited and distracted, you should hear me yelling my recalls, so embarrassing But it works!

[Snoopy21]

Scary! I'm so glad she is ok.

I just wanted to say that we have had a couple of leash malfunctions that led to our dog getting free. Once she ran in front of a milk tanker! It was terrifying. I think it is due to the thick d-ring on the harness. When the dog twists, the d-ring forces the snap on the lead open. Nothing wrong with either piece of equipment, just the angle or the twist. You could try a leash with a firmer snap maybe? We use a front attach harness and a choke chain, both snapped to the same leash. It looks like overkill, but we haven't had any accidents since, and it stops the harness from drooping at the front which keeps our girl comfortable. It is vital that our girl stay on lead, she is very large, her recall is unreliable and she has very high prey drive - so we double up to be safe.

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

Scary! I'm so glad she is ok.

I just wanted to say that we have had a couple of leash malfunctions that led to our dog getting free. Once she ran in front of a milk tanker! It was terrifying. I think it is due to the thick d-ring on the harness. When the dog twists, the d-ring forces the snap on the lead open. Nothing wrong with either piece of equipment, just the angle or the twist. You could try a leash with a firmer snap maybe? We use a front attach harness and a choke chain, both snapped to the same leash. It looks like overkill, but we haven't had any accidents since, and it stops the harness from drooping at the front which keeps our girl comfortable. It is vital that our girl stay on lead, she is very large, her recall is unreliable and she has very high prey drive - so we double up to be safe.

Snoopy how funny, we went to the pet shop yesterday before I read your post and I ended up buying the exact same setup you're talking about! I bought a new harness and a multi-lead, clipped to both her collar and harness. Extra secure! :laugh: At least your pup is large, mine is tiny and the extra leads + black harness vest makes her look like some sort of strange police squad dog Overkill for sure, but at least it gives me peace of mind!

And that's exactly what must've happened with her leash when she got free - I inspected it and everything was intact, so the only conclusion we came to was that she twisted around in an angle and set herself free. It's very scary indeed! Glad your girl is ok :)

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

I've been there as well! And in my case it was totally my own fault, I'd gotten to relaxed about letting them run from the car to the front door off leash - which they always did... Until they didn't A truck backfired as they were getting out of the car and distracted them from their normal routine and two out of three ran off into the busy road out the front of the house. I'm so not a runner but I threw everything I had in my arms to the ground and sprinted towards them screaming their names in a panicked attempt at their normal recall. Realising that wouldn't work and turning and running the other way hoping they'd come was the scariest thing ever and so against my instincts! It worked though, the big one came running over with a big grin about all the fun, the little one following behind her. My legs nearly gave out once I got them safely inside. Needless to say, they stay on lead now!

Oh dear, glad you got them back safe and sound, I can't imagine running after two! What quick thinking on your part!

Thanks for the tips, I have started practicing her recall as well as "look at me" with some dried chicken which she loves, however on the walk this morning she was a little disinterested as there were other dogs running about and she was desperate to say hello, I think a lot of the issues stem from her intense need to want to explore and say hello to everyone :laugh:

Practicing her recall at home as been going well, she listens about 90% of the time. My husband and I are also trying to stop chasing her around everywhere, we don't even realize how much we do it... she has a liver disease so I'm always wary of her picking up strange objects in her mouth, but now I realize she does it because she loves being chased! So this morning when she was chewing on a stick/leaf/bug I just sat down and called her and gave her some time, until she decided that the treat was much more interesting than trying to get me to chase her :laugh:

[huga]

Frenchies are such funny little things. They can be headstrong, but Sid is quite trainable. He is food motivated, but more than that, he just likes to please. How old is your girl?

Sid has really settled since hitting the 2 year mark. He was trained by the camera more than anything else So his sit, stay, wait and come commands are pretty decent - even under distraction. My pug isn't too bad either. It can be done.

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

Frenchies are such funny little things. They can be headstrong, but Sid is quite trainable. He is food motivated, but more than that, he just likes to please. How old is your girl?

Sid has really settled since hitting the 2 year mark. He was trained by the camera more than anything else So his sit, stay, wait and come commands are pretty decent - even under distraction. My pug isn't too bad either. It can be done.

How adorable is Sid! What a cutie, I love the photo in your sig :)

My girl has just turned 1 and she is definitely headstrong :laugh: Sometimes I'll ask her to sit, and you can actually tell she is contemplating whether or not to comply! I love her dearly though and her stubborn streak is part of that Frenchie charm.

Glad to hear that they do eventually settle down - she is still going through the crazy puppy stage, still doing zoomies in the yard. She gets very excited on walks as well because she adores all people and dogs, I'm still trying to teach her not to pull and lunge on the lead because obviously not all dogs are going to be receptive to her "enthusiastic" ways :laugh:

Nice to meet another Frenchie owner on here!

[Raelene]

Can understand your distress. One of my Frenchies used to have moments of that sort of behaviour, she still occasionally does. I really do think she believes it to be hilarious. Definitely laying on the ground, crying and making strange noises can help - even if it does make you feel like an idiot.

I can recommend Underdog Training too, who also have a great and easy method (but requiring commitment) to training a reliable recall. http://www.underdogtraining.com.au/index.html

They do have a "so your dog" series that I think you can download. Might need to contact them for it. They have one for training a reliable recall.

Have seen clips come "unsnapped" when they are at an odd angle before, bit scary.

K9 Pro and Underdog have some great, safe equipment available.

If you look under General Dog Discussion, Breed Sub Forums and French Bulldogs, there is a little Frenchie community here. Sid's mum and several others do extremely good photography.

[Guest LittleMissOdie]

Can understand your distress. One of my Frenchies used to have moments of that sort of behaviour, she still occasionally does. I really do think she believes it to be hilarious. Definitely laying on the ground, crying and making strange noises can help - even if it does make you feel like an idiot.

I can recommend Underdog Training too, who also have a great and easy method (but requiring commitment) to training a reliable recall. http://www.underdogtraining.com.au/index.html

They do have a "so your dog" series that I think you can download. Might need to contact them for it. They have one for training a reliable recall.

Have seen clips come "unsnapped" when they are at an odd angle before, bit scary.

K9 Pro and Underdog have some great, safe equipment available.

If you look under General Dog Discussion, Breed Sub Forums and French Bulldogs, there is a little Frenchie community here. Sid's mum and several others do extremely good photography.

Thanks Raelene. Frenchies are mischievous little things. I'm currently trying to discourage all "chasing" games around the house but it's a bit hard when I'm trying to fold washing and she runs off with a pair of socks! She definitely thinks chasing games are hilarious.

Thanks for the advice, I will check the sub forum out!