How to Teach Your Dog Not to Run Away

Discipline is one of the most important responsibilities for dog owners. You are legally liable if your dog bites someone or misbehaves in some other ways in public, and many communities prohibit dogs from running unrestricted. Proper training is necessary to ensure your dog acts appropriately. A well-disciplined dog also is a safe dog, and a dog that runs away is at risk of being lost or struck by a car, among other things. Teaching your dog not to run away requires patience and repetition.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog
  • Leash
  • Dog treats
  • Enclosed area
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Teach your dog to sit. Give the verbal command and gently push the dog's butt to the ground until it is in a sitting position. Praise your dog enthusiastically and give it a treat. Repeat this process until your dog sits on command. That is important when you walk it.

    • 2

      Instruct your dog to sit and stay or wait before you open the front door of the house. Verify where the dog is in the home and that it is sitting to prevent it from bolting out the front door. Experts have devised specific exercises and drills that involve training dogs to obey "stay" or "wait" commands at the door. (See Reference 3)

    • 3

      Walk your dog on a leash, at your hip. If the dog starts to pull, stop walking and command it to sit. Resume walking after the dog follows instructions. Give your pet a treat and praise it whenever it stays by your side for an extended period of time.

    • 4

      Teach your dog to come by saying "Come!" and gently pulling the leash to get the dog to you. Praise it and give it a treat again. Kneeling and beckoning the dog to you while saying "come" will help bring the dog to you on command.

    • 5

      Take your dog to a fenced-in area where it can walk off-leash and not go far. Follow the routine of having it walk at your side and giving it treats after it complies. If the dog tries to run away, put it back on a leash and have it sit for several minutes. Try again. Practice the "come" command so it will return to you whenever it starts to drift too far away.

    • 6

      Repeat these tactics until your dog is accustomed to staying with you without trying to run away.