Our dog Fred runs away and doesn't comeback near us because he knows we are putting him on the lead. I know that everything should be positive and to call them to you every now and then without putting there lead on but I need some more tips.

Dogs respond very well to treats. If he knows he is going to get one, he will come when you call him.

How old is Fred and what kind of dog is he, this would help a bit ?

I would not let a dog off the leash until it is trained to come back when called, no questions asked. Of course I mean outdoors, not indoors.

How have you trained him to come so far? What steps have you taken? What reward system do you use? How much time do you spend training him?

With my dogs I worked on the come call inside, and on walks while on leash. That's the one time I don't mind using a retractable leash, as it gives them a bit of room to walk ahead, feel like they're off leash, and you can see how they'll respond when you call them to come.

A treat works very well when teaching any tricks or commands. Put the dog on a long leash, walk in the field and let him have the full leash to wander around. Then call him to come, and immediately pull the leash, and the dog, to you. Give him a treat and praise. Never ever say the command more than once, he has to learn to follow the command the very first time you say it.

Work on this until he's consistent in coming to you when called. After this you introduce distractions. Another friend with a dog, or kids, are the best. Walk with him with a retractable leash, allow the slack. When he sees the dog or child he most likely will want to go to them. As soon as he starts to, call him to come, then pull on the leash until he's with you, then treat and praise.

When he consistently comes every time you call, even if there's a distraction, then you can allow him off leash.

He can't learn what he hasn't been taught. Coming when called is not something a dog does or learns naturally.

Thanks Alty, we haven't let him off the lead for about a month now and he does have a retractable lead we will try that method and see the results. Fred is a Chorkie (Chihuahua x Yorkshire terrier) he is about 18 months old

You have a Chorkie, a Border Collie and a Lab, all with behavorial problems?

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/can-train-dog-stop-chasing-cats-704453.html; https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/how-do-stop-dog-raiding-bin-704525.html; https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/there-any-hypoallergenic-dog-similar-border-collies-704237.html;

Who works with the dogs, trains them? Is the training consistent?

I have had many rescue dogs, some with behavorial problems, over the years. I have dogs that were very well behaved and some that were not so well behaved. I have never had a dog that didn't come when it was called BUT I have also never allowed a dog off lead unless I knew that dog would stop and return to me immediately in response to the command AND unless it's a fenced in area I have NEVER allowed a dog more than a few feet from me.

It takes about one second for a dog to bolt, get into poison, get into a fight, get hit by a car - and you will never forgive yourself. If your dog isn't well behaved enough to return immediately when called, lead or no lead, it should NEVER be off lead - NEVER.

Dogs don't have the mental capacity to anticipate danger. That's why they are on leads when there's a remote possibility that the situation could turn dangerous - because, in theory, the owners are smarter than they are.

You have a Chorkie, a Border Collie and a Lab, all with behavorial problems?

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/can-train-dog-stop-chasing-cats-704453.html; https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/how-do-stop-dog-raiding-bin-704525.html; https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/there-any-hypoallergenic-dog-similar-border-collies-704237.html;

Who works with the dogs, trains them? Is the training consistent?

I have had many rescue dogs, some with behavorial problems, over the years. I have dogs that were very well behaved and some that were not so well behaved. I have never had a dog that didn't come when it was called BUT I have also never allowed a dog off lead unless I knew that dog would stop and return to me immediately in response to the command AND unless it's a fenced in area I have NEVER allowed a dog more than a few feet from me.

It takes about one second for a dog to bolt, get into poison, get into a fight, get hit by a car - and you will never forgive yourself. If your dog isn't well behaved enough to return immediately when called, lead or no lead, it should NEVER be off lead - NEVER.

Dogs don't have the mental capacity to anticipate danger. That's why they are on leads when there's a remote possibility that the situation could turn dangerous - because, in theory, the owners are smarter than they are.

I have one dog the other one is a Border collie x lab and he lives with my granparents

What worked for me - and, as I said, I've always had rescues - is making "come here" a game. When I call them (I live on a fenced acre so they can roam to a certain extent) and they come I make it a game. Sometimes I hide a treat in the grass at my feet. Sometimes I'm holding a toy and we play tug or I throw it and they bring it back. Sometimes I put their lead on and we walk around the yard. Sometimes I say "Good dog" and that's all. My GSD would do anything for the praise, for the head rub. She is not "treat driven." My puppy is a little bit of both - loves the surprise treat but likes to be hugged.

My GSD has been chasing a rabbit inside the fence when I've called her - and she's stopped dead in her tracks and come to me.

I don't think my dogs know that not coming or not obeying is an option - they've never known anything else.