[comicstorm]

my dog is a 6 year old yellow lab. she is spayed, and really overweight. (strangely she can run 13 mph for long distances... we've clocked her) anyways, we've only had her for about 6 months. she came from a family friend who has passed away. he had her for about a year. before that, all we know was that she was in the pound. We give her an unlimited amount of attention and love, and we spoil her alot. she is extremely happy (always wagging her tail) and is overly-friendly.

she keeps running off or "wandering". when i say that, i mean that she runs off and jumps into a random person's car. (she loves going for rides) and from there, the person takes her to the pound. another thing that she does is find someone she really likes and just follows them, usually without them knowing. they could be driving in a car, biking, or just walking. it doesnt matter. she just loves everyone.

so my question is, how can we keep her from wandering off? we try our best to keep an eye on her at all times, but sometimes its not possible.

my dad takes her to work with him (he's a contractor), so we can't do the whole leash or fence thing. and i would rather not use a shock collar. can we train her? if so, how? oh, and btw, she doesnt listen. nothing phases her. not yelling, spanking, commanding, etc.

please help! this is the 3rd or 4th time we've had to pick her up from the pound!

oh and also, on a leash (to train her) won't work. she gets EXTREMELY hyper when one is on her. so bad she hyperventilates.

[lil mutt]

Can you consider an agility or obedience class? There she might get good interactions and challenges plus experts could give you more accurate advise for her.

[Lara's mom]

Could you fence in your yard?

[MrAndrew]

Okay, first things first, you need to make sure your new buddy has a current ID tag and is microchipped, that way if she does wander off she'll easily be returned to you.

Secondly, you need to train train train. The reason the dog gets excited when a leash is attached is because she wants to go for a walk or run, work with her. Different leashes or harnesses may work better, you just have to experiment.

As for wandering off, you need to make sure this doesn't happen by either installing a traditional fence, a wireless 'perimeter' fence, or just ensure that when the dog goes outside she is monitored.

The dog is new to your family and is still adjusting to the new situation and the loss of her original owner and training is critical! Train train train and then train some more,

[german sheep]

Go to the vet and check if she can hear!!!!
Do you know that she doesn't listen or maybe can she nothing hear?

Maybe she is deaf or can only hear e few frequenzes?
There are special auditory testings which can give a good result of her quality of hearing.

Don't let her of the leash and work with her food outside.
Normally what you give her, take out for you walks and give her during your airing.

she is extremely happy (always wagging her tail) and is overly-friendly

not extremely happy, extremely stressed. Wagging the tail means she needs information is in a conflct and needs urgent information!
She doesn't get it so she is looking for a person who can give her what she needs. That's why she runs off.

LG
gs