Can anybody give me some advice on the best way to make 4 1/2 month old boxer heel whilst off the lead? i've tried all sorts and as soon as he gets the chance it's head down ears back and the 100 yard dash to get into as much trouble as possible, when he's on the lead he knows that he cant make a run for it and does everything that you ask of him (sit stay, lay down, heel, even passes his paw on demand!) but the second the lead is off he is away, it's starting to get worrying that given half a chance he will just run off into the road or some other equally dangerous place....is this something that will come with age? or just hard work and training? or both? or am i just doin something wrong? I even offer him treats to stay where he is when off the lead and he still runs away, we usually try and let him off the lead on a  local field when there are 2 of us to catch him (makes it easier!) but he just will not even listen, i think he may have selective hearing as well!!!

thanks for any advice that anybody can offer!!

Craig

Dogs shouldn't be let off the lead unless you can control them. Try using a long training line until you can :)

or just hard work and training?

Consistent, relentless and kind training is required to teach dogs to stay at your side; oh and a reason :D An out of control dog is dangerous not only to himself but to others.

Can he heel perfectly on a lose lead yet??

What I did with Bradley was have a tip bit in my hand under his nose and say heel. When moving around the house, as he to would run away. Cocktail sausages always held his attention. When we got more confident we tried it in the garden.  Then at training then in the big wide world.  He WAS excellent.  

If he heels well on lead you could try double leading him. You need a very light, but strong, lead in addition to his usual lead. Clip both on to his collar. Do your usual walk. Take off the heavier lead and when he goes to dash off you will still have control via the light lead. Hopefully he will not have noticed the light lead, and finding himself still under control and unable to get away with his usual misbehaviour will be a surprise and make him think about what he is doing. As others have said, never let him run free unless he is under perfect voice control as all sorts of undesirable consequences can arise.

Do you want him to heel, or just stay around you and not bog off?

I would suggest lots of toy training and using high value rewards such as liver to get him to stay around you. Do lots of training and playing on walks too, so that the walk is something you "do together". I agree a long line is very valuable; be careful though if he bombs off as he may get a painful jerk at the end of the line; maybe attach it to a cheapie harness from the pet shop? :)

If he runs off, why not run in the opposite direction? Call him once and reward him with play and praise when he returns. Be unpredictable as to where you are going to walk. If he is with other dogs, wait until he is bored and about to come away anyway, then call him so you get success. This foundation can then be built on so that you can call him anytime and he will come. And so on.

He is at the age where he will  run off and want to explore - it's natural, so don't worry - but putting the training in now will mean that when adolescencd is over, you will have a reliable dog (hopefully :D )

Lindsay