Had two Goldens who never took off on me in the woods. We got a new dog last week which is a lab/golden mix (approximated 1 1/2 years old). I have been in the woods or to a nearby pond everyday with him since. At no time has he ever gone farther from me than I allowed, and ALWAYS came back the second I called him. He is well trained regarding healing on leash and the usual commands including sit/stay. I have made it clear who the alpha is including who goes through the door first, healing everytime on leash, never getting onto furniture or the bed, etc.
Today he took off on me while back in the woods. He did not come when I called him. I try to "head things off at the pass" by making sure I call him before he goes too far, and today was the first incident. I put him back on leash and walked him for a time before releashing him again, and he obeyed again for a time. He took off on me a second time, and this time when he came back I kept him on leash until we got back to the car.
These woods are very large (one square mile), and whenever I hike I let the dogs go free. Here is my question - if he takes off on me I cannot yell or discipline him when he returns because a dog only remembers what it just did - and in this instance he returned to me. So how do you guys/gals deal with that situation? I know many of you hike/backpack with your dog and many if not most do not keep your dog on leash.
Today he took off on me while back in the woods. He did not come when I called him. I try to "head things off at the pass" by making sure I call him before he goes too far, and today was the first incident. I put him back on leash and walked him for a time before releashing him again, and he obeyed again for a time. He took off on me a second time, and this time when he came back I kept him on leash until we got back to the car.
These woods are very large (one square mile), and whenever I hike I let the dogs go free. Here is my question - if he takes off on me I cannot yell or discipline him when he returns because a dog only remembers what it just did - and in this instance he returned to me. So how do you guys/gals deal with that situation? I know many of you hike/backpack with your dog and many if not most do not keep your dog on leash.
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