I have a 2 year old English Bull terrier who is still full of it and very excitible, i can only take him a walk on his lead but i really want to be able to let him off his lead when we go out.. To be honest i havent got the botle to try him as i know he would do a runner from me :) a few months ago he slipped his lead while we were out and shot off straight across a main busy road which shook the life out of me, very lucky to have a live dog and very lucky to have him here .. half the time he just doesnt listen to me at all and is as stubborn as every other bully i have come across which is natural.. It seems when he is out he just wants to go, go, go :)

any advice and pointers please

Thanks :)

Have you owned him all his life or is he new to you? Id suggest finding out what really turns him on - a tasty food treat or special toy? Then start at home using the toy/treat as a reward for him doing as hes told. Make sure he only gets this if he does something for you first, this could be as basic as looking at you. If he dosent comply just go Uh huh you dipped out! and put it away. Id start by calling him eg Matt come! in a happy voice for meals and anything he likes in the house, then the garden then in a secure fenced area outside. Dont move on to the next stage till you get a 10/10 response in each area and go back to basics in each location.Give him good reason to be with you - lots of fun with you. If hes stubborn you need patience and determination and remember the golden rule of dog learning is Whats In It For Me any behaviour rewarded will be repeated. I havent owned a Bull Terrier so cant comment on breed specifics. Do a search here and youll find recall threads with more suggestions.

Continuing on that theme - walk him BEFORE he has a feed (you can even miss out a meal occasionally to make him really keen).  Take his meal with you, and let him have it a little at a time - even give him a couple of bits before you let him off - this way he knows where the grub is, and won't wander far.  It may help you to feel a little more secure if you leave his lead attached, or use a length of washing line which you can tread on if he decides to take off......

thanks for the replies so far, yes i have owned him all his life.. i suppose i should have learnt and tried with him a long time ago but with things that have happened over the last year or so, just havent had the quality of time he deserves, but all is well now and he is getting all my time and devotion.. i'll start with your suggestions and see how we go

thanks

Hi try a secure place - like a football pitch you know the sort schools have that have the fencing around. Or something similar you'll be surprised what you can find when you look. :)

Other than that try a long lead about 40ft and let it trail behind him. I would suggest getting someone else to hold him and maybe walk away not far but really be enthusiatstic about calling him and get the other person to just let the lead go so you know you can grab him.

A few suggestions but good luck Karen  

Keep him on a long line. Give him a REALLY, REALLY good reason to come when called. Give him a super payoff. What motivates him the most? For my dogs it's food, especially mozzerella cheese chunks or homemade liver treats. Then lots and lots of happy praise, a game, a party. Practice with the long line for a long time before you try him out off leash. If you call him to come and you can't enforce it, he learns that he DOESN'T HAVE TO IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO. You need to make absolutely certain that he will come every time either on his own or by reeling him in, hopefully on his own before letting him loose. Always give tons of praise for his coming to you.

I'd follow what Lorelei said within the home but then I'd progress to working outside on a longline at first.  Give your recall command and if there is no immediate response from your dog I'd give a gentle tug on the line and reel him in towards you.  Give loads of praise when he reaches you.  Repeat lots until you get 100% response to you on the line without having to give the 'tug' first.  Only then would I let him off-lead in a public place.  Even then I would call him to you for no reason other than to give a reward when he comes.  Sometimes put his lead on and then immediately release him so that he doesn't associate you calling him with the end of free play and lead on to go home.

Hi Bigmatt,
I have found a good place to start letting your dog off the lead is in a tennis court.  I have used the one in the park. It has a high mesh fencing all around, and it is not to big a area for your dog to get away from you.  (Note: If the park has a Park-keeper, it may help if you had a word with him first.)
I have found the best time to go is during the week, (NOT weekends), at about 9-10 o'clock in the mornings when the kids are in school. 

Hope that this is of help,

Good luck with your recalls.

Harry C.

I feel that it would be a really good move to find a good training club in your area.