Didnt know what to do!

Heya everyone

Well today I took a day off studying and work and had a full on day with Rocky, cleaned all his bedding, tidied up the yard, Rocky tried to help but really made more of a mess as we went along. We went for a great walk through the Western Sydney Parklands, it was great, big lake with loads of ducks, and Rocky had his first encounter with some rabbits and horses, I thought id let him off his lead as well, and he was great, stayed right by my side, had a little sniff, never went ahead of me and always waited when we stopped. so I was very proud of that.

Until, we were in the next street from my place, and I somehow lost grip of the lead as I was swapping hands as Rocky had tangled his leg, oh boy, the minute he realised, he bolted, started running all over the place, I was lucky he didn't go onto the road, but quite a few cars did pass us and realise what was going on, so slowed right down. I tried everything, treats, a bottle of water, making a fuss, firmly saying no and re-calling. Nothing worked, I was soooo afraid a car was going to hit him and felt so irresponsible, but really had no idea what to do, eventually I just started walking back to my street and he followed suit without a fuss. What do I need to work on to really get him to listen to me in a situation like that?

He's still very young to reliably come to you;  persist in the recall training and a trainer advised me once to hand-feed him for a while to lock in his reliance on you.    So pleased you had a safe outcome.

Lexi is a lie down girl. If I shout at her she lies down and looks abused lol

You Gould try running the other way when he won't be caught cause he is playing with you so play back and make a huuuuuuge fuss about jt

Sounds like a good day apart from getting tangled up. Sounds like he just panicked and he's still only a baby so it will take time to get his full attention in a situation like that. Dont feel irrisponsible, these things happen. Keep working hard with recall and take some 'high-value' treats out with you such as mini sausages or I use frolic (a meaty dog food)

Oh Maria how nerve racking for you, I suppose its all in the constant recall training. I tend to run the other way whilst calling in a very excitable voice. Vinnie always responds to this if I run after him it then becomes a game. So glad no harm came to you both xx

Aww Maria you must have been so scared but luckily no harm came to him, lots of recall training & perhaps the watch me command to get his attention, I have also used the going in the opposite direction to get her to follow me

Aww thanks everyone I was definitely scared, but so thankful nothing happened! Will definitely keep working on his recall Thanks again

Glad it's OK, I had a very similar experience with Daisy a few months ago so I know how scary it is! Just keep practicing recall, that's what I do  

Thanks Sazzle, I definitely will keep at it! So much patience with it all, when it happens in the heat of the moment you lose your mind and don't know what to do!

I know, panic just sets in doesn't it! Daisy still isn't perfect, far from it. Sometimes she's great but other times not so much, she's still on the lead and long line.

I don't believe in perfection, but that is what makes them what we love! Thanks again Sazzle!

It gives you a real fright when that happens  

What I did with Dempsey (his recall is crap) is work on a really strong "stay". Now, if I spot something I don't want him to be involved with, or if he won't come back I yell "Stay!" and then go get him!

Im still working on recall, I think im going to have to get him really trained with both stay and the recall. In the moment though he was running about on the side road with the lead in his mouth sprinting back and forth like as if to say ' ner ner ner ner ner ner you cant get me' ohhh I was so mad and worried at the same time haha. But the last walk for tonight I had the lead wrapped around my hand super tight.

Aw I'm sure this must have been so scary for you! Walking the other way always works for Gwen. I would get a long lead and practice his recall in a busy place with lots of distractions. Hopefully this won't happen again but you do want his recall to be 100% reliable even when there are distractions! I wouldn't let him off the lead until you are sure he won't run off! Long leads are great for this because they can run and explore but you still have control if he gets distracted or tries to run off!

so glad every thing turned out ok,you must have been so scared,sasha never got to grips with 'stay' but will always respond to 'wait'.

Thanks Cara and Stella

I have ordered a long lead, should get in next week hopefully, I only let him off the lead while we were through the parklands and it was gated off and no one was there so it was only for a few minutes just for practice. But definitely get him into the training with long lead with recall, ive read a lot about that so super confident to get into that training

That sounds great! The long lead is great for recall! Especially when you have a young pup that is so easily distracted!

Haha aren't they all so easily distracted, cute, worrying, funny and all at the same time!

You did the best thing, these sort of situations are horrible but if something like that happens again I would make lots of happy excited noises, make sure he is paying attention and then stride or jog off in the direction of somewhere safe and he should follow you. He wont want to be left alone. Again this will come with age he's only a baby and will get freaked out by silly things x

Thank you Yea it was the only thing I could think of at that minute, but I can be sure it wont happen again I never let the lead lose on my hand again haha

Thank goodness Rocky didn't get into the road, a good firm Here usually works with our Rocky or This Way and he will come back to us.