| Step 1 - Know your dog | | | | understands the meaning of 'OFF,' then try it |
| Dogs are predators. Chasing is an instinctive | | | | without holding onto his leash. Leave his leash on, |
| behavior in most dogs. If it moves, some dogs will | | | | dragging on the floor/ground so you can grab it |
| chase it! Dogs love chasing cats, squirrels, joggers, | | | | or step on it quickly should he forget what 'OFF' |
| bicycles, cars, other dogs, baby carriages, | | | | means. When he has mastered this, try it |
| skateboards, roller-blades and almost anything else | | | | completely off-leash, but still in your own home |
| that moves. Moving objects stimulate a dog's | | | | and yard. |
| need to chase. If your dog is a herding breed, | | | | Now it's time to practice with a jogger |
| then your dog's nature to herd the moving object | | | | skateboarder. Enlist the help of a friend to pose |
| is even greater. Often, we innocently stimulate | | | | as a jogger/skateboarder. Stand with your dog |
| the dog's predatory nature and cause our dog to | | | | on leash and have your friend jog by repeatedly |
| chase. Sometimes it is just the dog's play | | | | while you repeat the 'OFF' exercise as you did |
| response. As most dog owners know, dogs love | | | | with the tennis ball. Be sure your dog performs |
| to chase and be chased. It's just plain fun! | | | | perfectly on leash before you try this off-leash. |
| Find a local trainer who applies Positive | | | | If your dog is chasing cars, ask your friend to |
| Reinforcement, Punishment-Free methods of | | | | meet you on a quiet, secluded street to help you |
| training. You will need a reliable foundation in basic | | | | train your dog. Again, repeat the 'OFF' exercise as |
| obedience, before you can effectively control | | | | your friend repeatedly drives by. Be sure your |
| your dog. | | | | dog is perfect on-leash before you try it off-leash. |
| The old cat, car, squirrel, chasing challenge: Chasing | | | | It's important that you practice this in a set-up |
| any of these objects can be great fun for your | | | | situation. Have a friend help, as you must know |
| dog, but it is dangerous! They all "run away" so | | | | the driver is aware of the training so he/she can |
| your dog is satisfied. They now think, "I won! I | | | | stop the car should you lose control. |
| scared them off!" | | | | By now you should have some degree of |
| That is self-rewarding behavior at it's best! Not | | | | confidence that your dog will obey because of the |
| good! It only gives your dog the confidence to | | | | hours of practice and his level of performance in |
| chase more often. The new cyclist, skateboard, | | | | your staged situations. Always use good |
| jogger, roller-blade challenge: The sight of one of | | | | judgment. If the real situation seems too |
| these "targets" arouses many a dog to chase | | | | tempting, too distracting or too stressful, don't |
| them. They rarely stop, so, your dog considers it | | | | ask your dog to perform miracles. Always set |
| another notch in their collar, another enormously | | | | your dog up so he learns what he is supposed to |
| self-rewarding success! Not good! | | | | do. The objective of training is, to help your dog |
| Until you have learned to control your dog's | | | | make the association that particular behavior is |
| chasing instinct, do not let him off-leash. It's | | | | appropriate and pleases you. Practice with him |
| dangerous for him and the person or animal he is | | | | daily and with every opportunity that arises. Praise |
| chasing. To control chasing behavior, you must | | | | him generously every time you say 'OFF' and he |
| teach your dog 3 main commands: "COME", "OFF | | | | obeys. If he disobeys, give a strong pop of his |
| or HALT!" and "LEAVE IT". Your dog must | | | | leash, command 'OFF!' and realize he needs more |
| respond immediately to each one of these | | | | practice. |
| commands. For this exercise, we will use the | | | | Don't wait until your dog is in full chase before |
| word 'OFF!" | | | | doing something. Success is most likely when you |
| Before exposing your dog to a situation where he | | | | use 'OFF' as a pre-emptive command. If your dog |
| will want to chase, you must train him in a | | | | has a strong predisposition to chase, it is your |
| controlled setting. It is important that you set up | | | | responsibility to be alert for his safety and the |
| a situation where your dog can concentrate and | | | | safety of others. If you feel you cannot pay |
| understand the behavior you want. He must have | | | | attention to the surroundings around you when |
| the opportunity to perform the correct behavior | | | | you're with the dog, simply do not let him |
| repeatedly, since up until now he has probably | | | | off-leash. When he gets it right, praise him |
| only had practice misbehaving. | | | | generously and give him an extra special treat. |
| Start the training inside your home. Put your dog | | | | STEP 3 - Keep training your dog |
| on leash and stand with him at one end of a | | | | Ask a friend to pass in front of your dog on a |
| room or hallway. Wave a tennis ball or anything | | | | bicycle/skateboard or roller-blades. When they |
| that motivates him; in front of him but DO NOT | | | | pass slowly, command your dog to 'SIT' showing |
| allow him to touch it. Now, roll or toss it across | | | | it the treat/toy in your hand. |
| the room or down the hall and tell him 'OFF!' If he | | | | Give your dog the prize when they pass. Repeat |
| starts to go after it, command 'OFF!' and | | | | the exercise until your dog obeys all of the times, |
| immediately give him a firm pop of the leash. It's | | | | without trying to chase them once they speed up. |
| extremely important that you do not allow him to | | | | After that, reward him or her with one of their |
| touch the ball/toy or he will think that the word | | | | favorite treats/toys. |
| 'OFF' means for him to chase and get the ball/toy. | | | | Repeat steps one and two using a treat/toy as a |
| You are not trying to teach your dog to fetch. | | | | distraction and with the cyclist/skateboarder |
| Practice this several times a day until he makes | | | | roller-blade passing faster. Now, throw a toy in |
| the association 'OFF' means: don't go after the ball | | | | the opposite direction of the cyclist, or |
| toy, don't chase! | | | | skateboarder for your dog to bring it back, so |
| When he gets it right, praise him generously and | | | | you will distract your dog from the chasing. |
| give him an extra special treat. | | | | When he gets it right, praise him or her |
| STEP 2 - Have confidence in your dog | | | | generously and give them an extra special treat. |
| When he seems to understand this new 'game,' | | | | Training your dog will always be a work in |
| repeat it in different rooms of your house. Slowly | | | | progress. Your dog is never too old to learn! Keep |
| move it outside. Practice in the garage and in your | | | | it short, keep it fun, and most importantly, keep it |
| back yard. When it's clear to you that he really | | | | positive! |