I would like to be able to take my dog outside in the front yard with me and be able to walk out the front door without having to worry about her getting out of the house and running off. No, she has never done this, but I have never given her the chance either.

When she is on her leash she is all over the place. (Yes, I have several areas I have to work with her on) Which leads me to believe she would do the same if I let her go (w/o leash).

I do realize that the leash is the safest place for her but I would like to be able to at least go into my front yard w/o a leash once inawhile and not have to worry.

Any ideas/Suggestions?

Thank You,

Kelly

First you need to teach her not to go out the door until she's been invited to go. That's pretty simple. Sit her in front of the door (with leash on) and tell her to wait. Start to open the door. If she moves, shut the door. Put her back in a sit, tell her to wait, and try again. It usually doesn't take having the door shut in their faces too many times before dogs learn to sit and wait. I praise, offer a treat, repeat the wait command, then say OK and walk them through the door.

Teaching her to stay in the yard is a bit more difficult. You need to keep a catch cord on her, so if she does start to run off, you can stop her. I use clothes line cord, and tie it to a brick (small dog) or cement block (larger dog), so my dog can't run all that fast.

I also lay down a cord as a boundary, around the yard. I walk the dog to the boundary and tell them "wait". If they step over the cord, I bring them back and repeat "wait". When they stop at the boundary, I praise and give them a treat, move them away from the boundary, then walk them back and repeat the "wait" command. I'll mix in a few OKs, and walk them across on a leash, so they start to understand they have to wait until I ask them to leave the yard.

I do keep a catch cord on them, though. It doesn't hurt them to drag it around, it serves as a reminder that I can get them if they leave the yard, and, well, it allows me to get them if they leave the yard.

I'd like to do that too, but I would probably be too nervous to try it. Why not build a fence?

[lil mutt]

I advice you never to let go of the leash especially if you are going outside you house... It's better be safe than risking your pet's safety... If you have a fence then i think its ok to let her roam around your property just make sure that there are no hole they can use to escape from you...

I agree with lilmutt. If there is no fencing on your property, you are endangering your dog's well being. Your dog may decide to chase after another dog passing by. Or another dog may instigate a fight with your dog. Best to have the dog on a leash so you have full control.

Usually, it is easiest to get your dog to stay along side you when you train them young. The earlier you start to train, the faster and easier the results.
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