Hi...i've just adopted a dog...she's a 3 year old staffie.  I'm having some problems with her training.  She responds to all commands within the house but outside she has no regard for anything!  I've tried waiting until she isn't sniffing, weeing or pooing then calling her but nothing doing!  I also have a problem when we're out walking.  She is very well behaved on the lead but as soon as it's taken off she's like a loose cannon and doesn't even look back when called.  Any ideas???  I'm just about losing the will to live!!!  Cheers, Leanne

Hi Ellie,

Firstly, as she's 3 years old already she may have quite a few behavioural quirks prior to arriving with you - so as far as off-lead activities are concerned I'd avoid that at all costs just now :)

Do you know why she was up for adoption?  Have you any background info on her? 

Training a puppy through to maturity is an ongoing process and it may be that your girl hasn't had much effort put in by her previous owners so, if that's the case, you really ought to go back to complete basics with her and train slowly, patiently and using treats as a reward for everything she gets right.

Regardless of age, breed, sex, circumstance, NO dog should be off lead without a reliable re-call.  If you're not confident or experienced enough to achieve your aims alone, then please try and find a reputable training club where you can get some expert advice.

Good luck, Teri 

Hi Teri

She was bought as a puppy by my brother-in-laws aunt but unfortunately they couldn't give her enough time and attention due to work commitments.  She hasn't been treated badly and they have trained her a little but she is incredibly stubborn at times.  I have pretty much started from scratch with the training and she's brilliant at sit and stay commands

I haven't as yet let her off the lead in a public place... my parents have a large enclosed field so i took her there to test it out but obviously it just didn't work!  I've been trying to encourage it in my back garden but I don't seem to be getting anywhere.  I do know that her previous owners didn't really exercise her much and didn't use a harness when they did take her out.  I found that she pulled badly on the lead until I bought a good harness so that bit has been solved :-)

I've looked into dog training classes but I can't seem to locate any in my area...anybody know of any decent ones in lancashire?

Dogs are quite context specific about their learning.

To you or I, 'sit' means 'sit' no matter where you are, but for a dog that is often not the case.

Go back to basics and train your dog to sit/stay/down etc EVERYWHERE you can possibly think of, then she will understand.

This is classically seen in teh dog who only gets trained AT a dog training class, and the owner finds the dog is perfect in class, but does exactly as he pleases everywhere else.

Em

Hi

You need to have a bag of really tasty treats to reward her with when she comes back to you.

You could also try using a long line (a very long lead - many metres) which she trails on the ground.  If you call her and she ignores you, you can reel her in.

I think it's a good idea to take her to a training class too.  Have a look here: http://www.apdt.co.uk/trainers_area.asp?area=Lancashire

Remember - it's a good idea to go and watch training classes before you enrol because they differ a lot in standard and methods used.  Not to mention that you learn a lot by watching different trainers in action and pick up tips to use on your dog!  Just ask the trainer if you can watch one week.

hi ellie. i think it is a staff thing.selective hearing.our girl is 16 months old and at dog training she is superb advance level. but when out in the park as soon as she is off lead she run's. but i must say when she has done her first run when called she will come back. like the others have said training is the answer. also the extendable leads will work. we also find if you take a toy show it her before you let her offthe lead she will not run off. she is distracted by the toy. treats work as well. hope this helps. stick with it they are a superb dog. all the best steve

hello

well today we bought a good extenable lead and armed with plenty of treats we went into the park.  it seemed to work.  she was reluctant to come back so we reeled her in while calling and gave her treat.  then by the end of the walk she was coming back 9 out of ten times!!!

i'll keep up the training.  the only problem was other dogs not on a lead who came bounding over which she wasn't keen on.  she didn't snarl or growl but her heckles were up.  she was attacked at an early age by another dog so unless she knows the other dog well she gets a bit upset. 

its a nightmare when other dogs run over and yours is on lead isnt it, when it happens to me its a real problem as if mine reacts, thinks he can play etc its hard to hold on to him, I can keep his attention to a point but if he feels threatened then its difficult.  I have been guilty of this myself though when my dog was young and I was none the wizer:rolleyes: