Jack won't come back. (A rant.)

**honeybadger** · 11-30-2011, 11:44 PM

First, note that the local park is not a designated "dog park". It even has signs saying dogs are not allowed on the playing fields, but everyone who uses the park totally ignores these

. It's not fully fenced, though it is not particularly close to any busy roads. Also, note that it's pretty common around here (here being a suburb in New Zealand) for people to let their dogs off leash at the park, beach, whatever, or even walk them off leash if they're good. I feel like I'm being judged for being "mean" because everyone else's dogs are having fun at this park. I usually take him to the beach instead, or just walk for hours on leash instead. I do let him off, but only when his "friends" are there- dogs we have met before, and play well with him. He stays with the other dogs, so is easy to catch when it's hometime.

My problem is, I don't feel comfortable letting Jack off the leash unless in certain situations. He doesn't come back to me when he's distracted. He did it great at dog training after we adopted him (when he was 18mths, last April), he does it great at home in the backyard and he even does it at the beach... but it's just not reliable at the park. At the park he will not come back if he sees another dog, or even if he smells something fun. I'm too scared to let him off. He gets excited around kids and might knock one over, he might run up to a dog that's not friendly... but the other people at the park don't seem to understand, and I feel like they're judging me for not letting him off. Like I'm just being a mean mother. He's obviously friendly.

People I bump into at the park keep giving me handy hints... "just let him off, he'll be fine!" "you never know until you try!" "just use treats, he'll come back for treats!" "there are no bad dogs, only bad owners" (ouch.)

He doesn't come back, even for cheese! The books say, if the dog doesn't come back, you're too boring. I am clearly too boring. I've tried cheese... I've tried whistling, I've tried screaming, rolling around on the ground, running away and yelling, "chase me!", pretending to find something really interesting on the ground... pretending to die, jumping up and down, pretending to have a seizure...Jack won't come back! He just keeps wandering further and further away from me, following his nose.

I would love it if he could be off leash, because he loves other dogs so much, but if another dog is looking aggressive or if I need him to stop going where he's going, I need him to listen... What am I doing wrong?

**bett** · 11-30-2011, 11:48 PM

I don't let my guys off, as I don't trust that they won't take off.and they are very well trained.fenced in areas only.

**SharonaZamboni** · 11-30-2011, 11:53 PM

I wouldn't let Bean off leash either. Not reliable enough. (Fenton!! LOL) I guess somehow you have to get him to believe that YOU'RE the most fun thing ever. Lots of practice, and something I'm going to work on, too.

**Sophiesmama** · 12-01-2011, 02:33 AM

Sophie can't be trusted either. My husband will go down on one knee and open his arms and yell her name, and often she'll come running for hugs....but...not always. You just never know when she's going to cooperate. If I call her name at home, she will walk around and look at me, like "what mama?" but won't actually come right to me. Yep...its a labby thing I am thinking...

**tammyhuffman** · 12-01-2011, 04:58 AM

You are doing the right thing. Keeping your dog safe is much more important than wasting your time worrying what other are saying. You are not a "bad" mom or a mean mom, you are responsible and only YOU know what is best for your dog. I wouldn't change a thing.

**kassabella** · 12-01-2011, 05:14 AM

Dont let him off lead if you don't feel comfortable.

I would not let him off unless it is a designated dog park, or will stay by my side and come when called. Councils here are clamping down and will get harder on people over summer, so not sure if it will happen in Auckland. If he knocks a kid over or they think he bites (which he wont, but people being people) you know the rules here and you know how paranoid people get when things happen.Our local dog park has a kids area near it and if the kids come into the park we try to keep the dogs under control, but if not it is the parents responsibility. Parks outside this we have to be careful and it isn't so relaxing.

Erns runs away so I make sure I only ever let him off at designated places. He is ok with lots of treats for about 20 mins then takes off so I watch and as soon as I see the look I put his lead on. People used to say things like you get, but now realise I know what I am doing and let me know if he heads for the stream.Once he is on the lead no one says a thing and he is o.k. about it.

Jack is still young so if he isn't good on recall I would keep him on a lead and try to go to the parks when others aren't there.

Tessa has just gone through a patch of running away so I took her down at lunch time or early morning and each time she went to the park gate I threw a can with stones in it, then turn and whistle dixie when she looked to see if I threw the can. I did it for about 4 weeks and today when she went to the entrance I clapped and she stopped, I said park..(which means back in the park) and she came back.
I am also training with the clicker hoping that I can use that to stop her taking off. With Erns the call of the wild has always been too strong for him. Trainers told me I would never be able to let him off, but I can and he will come back, but not immediately.

**dek** · 12-01-2011, 07:30 AM

I only let Koivu off lead in the fenced in dog park. Most other parks are too close to busy roads for me to risk or have fresh water ponds (which mean alligators here) which he heads for. I've found he's gotten better at paying attention to me when he's involved/distracted at the dog park, but it's taken a lot of time. I also stay quite close to him, so that if I need to intervene I can. Of course he gets everywhere before me if he's running, but at least I'm in close pursuit.
As the others said - your dog's safety is your first priority. Many people just don't care about their dogs that much. Do what you need to do.

**Jan** · 12-01-2011, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by dek

I only let Koivu off lead in the fenced in dog park. Most other parks are too close to busy roads for me to risk or have fresh water ponds (which mean alligators here) which he heads for. I've found he's gotten better at paying attention to me when he's involved/distracted at the dog park, but it's taken a lot of time. I also stay quite close to him, so that if I need to intervene I can. Of course he gets everywhere before me if he's running, but at least I'm in close pursuit.
As the others said - your dog's safety is your first priority. Many people just don't care about their dogs that much. Do what you need to do.

OMG about the alligators!! I'd have to keep Corby on leash forever, he loves water.

**Beerfish** · 12-01-2011, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by tammyhuffman

You are doing the right thing. Keeping your dog safe is much more important than wasting your time worrying what other are saying. You are not a "bad" mom or a mean mom, you are responsible and only YOU know what is best for your dog. I wouldn't change a thing.

I totally agree, far more people should be like the original poster and not let dog off unless they are totally sure he/she will do as told. Unfortunately dog parks are loaded with people who do so anyway.

**honeybadger** · 12-02-2011, 08:40 PM

I feel better about it now. What I really should be doing is trying to co-ordinate with the dogs he plays with so we meet at the park more.
Interestingly, today in the backyard I experimented with a squeaking a squeaky toy instead of calling him and he came running. Maybe I could trying using the toy instead of treats.