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Most dogs get excited when you take them for a walk or in a car. They follow you as usual… until you reach your collar and/or leash. Like a bullet, your dog is gone. Then you spend a few minutes trying to track them down. Call on them, bribe them, whatever it takes to get them out of hiding.
If you’ve ever faced similar behaviors, you may be wondering why you’re the only person on Earth who has a dog that behaves like that. But you are not alone! This is more common than you think and it happens for many reasons.
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Why is your dog running off the leash?
There are many reasons why your dog might run away from you when you try to prepare them to leave. You’ll need some detective work to find out exactly what’s going on. From there, you can work on fixing it. Here are some common reasons dogs don’t want to wear a collar or leash.
medical problem
First of all, make sure your dog doesn’t have any medical problems that could make wearing a collar or harness uncomfortable. For example, maybe their arthritis got worse than you thought, making walking too difficult for them. A trip to the vet is always a good place to start to rule out any health concerns.
Fear of new places
Does your dog have fear or anxiety problems outside of your home? If you notice your dog showing signs of fear in the car, at the park, or around strangers, they may be running off the leash to avoid an activity they don’t enjoy. If that’s the case, don’t force your dog into those situations. Instead, gradually introduce them to the place while giving them rewards so they can associate the destination with something good.
Scared of the vet or the groom
Does your puppy only go out on a leash to the vet or groomer? Many dogs remember things and put two and two together more than you realize. If you only use that leash when you go somewhere hurtful to your puppy, they may have learned to be afraid of it. So show them that the leash works well by taking them for walks regularly to places they like.
Tactile sensitivity
If you have a dog that doesn’t like being hugged or held, they may not enjoy the process of putting a collar, harness, or leash on them. These dogs just need to learn to be happy with their “clothes” because wearing them means they are out having fun. Chances are, if you open the door without reaching for that leash, your dog will run right out. They want to be outside, but they don’t like the equipment.
A bad experience
Has your furry friend had a bad experience wearing a leash? Maybe they were attacked by another dog, pulled too hard, or even trapped by something. For some dogs, one experience is enough to frighten them. This is another case where you need to ask them to associate their leash with good things like junk food.
A great game
When it comes to leashes, some baby mice have discovered a fun game! Some dogs know that if they run away from you and the leash, you will chase them. It’s a great game! However, if your dog enjoys this “game”, then you will need to do some training to stop it.
This is not an exhaustive list. Your dog may have a completely different reason to be afraid of their collar, leash, or harness. But once you figure out what the cause is, you can address it with a visit to the vet and/or training.
Consider online training
Training is not a chore. Let SpiritDog help you turn training time into a fun, productive bonding experience between you and your best friend! Whether you want to kick bad habits or reinforce your dog’s good manners, SpiritDog can help guide you!
SpiritDog courses are developed by real trainers who know that your dog’s best teacher is the person he or she loves most in the world – you! Even if you’ve never trained before, you can still help your dog behave better with SpiritDog’s guidance. With so many satisfied pet parents already using their courses, SpiritDog guarantees 100% satisfaction!
SpiritDog offers over 17 science-based courses, as well as 12 free bonus courses to help you and your dog bond and build better behaviors. Their Solve react package can help you keep your puppy safe by your side and help anxious or reactive puppies stay calm. For new pet parents, The Ultimate Puppy Show can help you get your dog on the right track from the start. Those who want to teach their pets good behavior at any age, check out Ultimate Masterclass Pack. Whatever you need, SpiritDog can help keep your dog safe, happy, and well-behaved!
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