Dogs are curious by nature and have an innate need to be active and explore their surrounding environment. Not to mention the need to play. Which brings us to the focus of today's topic: why does your dog run away when you call him? Most likely because they have discovered play and training are mutually exclusive.
Getting your dog to reliably come when called is known as recall, and it's important for all dog owners. Some reasons dogs don't come when called include distraction, confusion, or fear. Gradual training and positivity are ways to help build a reliable recall so your dog will come when called.
You need an incentive to encourage your dog to come back - a really tasty treat or a fun game with a toy. Show your dog the toy or food. Run away a couple of paces then call your dog's name and say "come" in a friendly, exciting tone - getting down low can also encourage them to come back.
For many, it's down to a lack of training, which you'll soon learn how to rectify. However, for other dogs, it could be due to fear or apprehensiveness. They're worried about being punished, especially if your tone of voice is even just slightly angry or annoyed.
The reasons for this are numerous, ranging from just an age related phase, not adequate training, fear, or just simple distraction issues. The first step a frustrated owner should take is to try to assess WHY their dog is not taking a command, as the solution differs for each reason.
Dog language is visual. They communicate volumes with their posture, their tails, their eyes, and their ears. For this reason, their first instinct when trying to figure out what we want is to watch us; not to listen to us. Our constant talking is just noise to them.
Unless you catch your dog in the act of escaping, punishment is unlikely to reduce runaway behavior.
Never let your dog off their leash when you're out walking. When you find a runaway, don't chase them. They might think you're playing a game. Stop running, sit on the ground and call them instead.
The reasons your dog may not be listening might be medical in nature, but most often, if your dog will not come to you or ignores you completely, it is because of a training or a behavioral issue. Once you feel you have ruled out potential illness, training and conditioning your dog will improve his recall ability.
With your dog on a long leash, have your dog sit and stay. Walk a few paces away, get down low in an approachable position, and in an excited tone say, “[name], come!” Use their leash to guide them back to you and reward once they've returned.
Most dogs run away when being picked up because they've learned that pickups mean bath time, vet visits and the end of fun games.
While playing fetch, as they're running back with their toy, say “come” and reward with praise and another toss of their toy. Any time your dog is walking or running towards you, say “come” and reward when they get to you! You can use real-life rewards like play, praise, cuddles, or toys mixed in with training treats.
People are more likely to intervene because it's less common to see a roaming dog than to come across a community or outdoor cat. Lost Pet Research & Recovery indicates that 93% of lost dogs are found alive, and 20% of them return home on their own.
Studies show that dogs form positive associations with their favorite people, and they don't like being separated from you for long. Dogs can handle alone time, but they do miss you when you're gone.
Dogs can actually start missing their owners from the moment they part ways, and keep missing them more up until two hours. Beyond two hours, the melancholy stays about the same until they're reunited with us.
Not fully trained
Sometimes dogs don't listen because their owner has a misunderstanding of how well their dog is trained. If your dog doesn't consistently follow a command or hasn't learned to follow the command regardless of distractions, it is silly to think your dog will perform in public places.
Do not kick or punch the dog if at all possible (that might escalate in their arousal). Once the attack is over, immediately get yourself, your dog or your child away. Don't turn around, try to get further control of the situation, or try to find the owner. Just go.
If your dog follows you around it means they love your company, and you could also have a stage five clinger on your hands. ;) Likewise, leaning on you, wanting to sleep in your bed or in the same room as you, or snuggling with you are all good indicators of your dog's affection for you.
Science proves that dogs understand the emotional aspect associated with the insult based on tone, and body language, not necessarily the insult itself.
Yelling at your dog does not work because it will just get him more stressed or it will only increase his energy level and how excited he is about the situation.
There are some behaviors you don't want to ignore, such as puppy nipping or pulling on leash. Any behavior that feels good to your dog, is naturally calming (such as licking or chewing), or is fun to do is not likely to go away when ignored.
Some are major, such as physical punishment or not providing enough exercise, while others are more difficult to pinpoint—a lack of confidence in the relationship or lack of engagement with the dog.