Not horsey, but my dog is driving me mad!

[benson21]

I have a 7 (ish) year old patterdale terrier, who does not do recall!
he is walked morning and night on a long lead so he can run, but this morning he has somehow found a way out of the garden. That was 6am. My OH is still out looking for him. We know exactly where he is, he is in an overgrown garden at the rear of our house, but he will not come to call. He has done this many many times, although this is the first time he has found a way out of the garden! Last week he got out of the front door, my mistake, I caught him 4 hours later, had to be sedated at the vet as he had wounds from playing with a fox. I thought maybe he would learn, but no....

So, does anyone have any recommendations of a dog trainer where he can be sent? Preferably in Kent, but if further away then so be it!
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[Naryafluffy]

Post on the 'All About Dogs' forum, loads of knowledgeable people on there who will more than likely know someone, or probably be able to give advice on the forum or PM.
Sorry I'm from Edinburgh and I don't think my trainer would travel quite that far!!!

 

[benson21]

just had a text from OH, just caught him.

 

[tinap]

Is he still 'entire'! I only ask because our retriever was the same until the boys bits went!! Different dog after that!! Xx

 

[forestfantasy]

Unfortunatley this is a Patterdale trait..
We had 2 on the farm, they used to go on little 'trips' together and be gone for the day (obvs we were looking for them etc!!)
They also liked to kill things, we had moles, rabbits, rats, mice & unfortunately a cat
I think it's the hunting instinct in them which overrides any human when they get a scent.
We had to just keep them on leads/tethered in the yard eventually

 

[forestfantasy]

I thought maybe he would learn, but no....

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They dont
One of ours also used to chase my pony and grab his tail when he rolled in the field, said pony got up and promtly kicked him in the head one day!
He went back the next day and did exactly the same....

 

[Achinghips]

Bloody frustrating, I know

Treat and toy sessions with you. Try play hide and seek in the garden. Keep him stimulated at home with toys, more so than you do now. Make coming to you the best thing in his life, keep some cooked liver treats in a bag with you - the rolls royce of treats. Teach throw, retrieve and reward in small enclosed spaces first,even the living room, progress to outside garden, then a small gated field and then larger open spaces. It will take time......

oh and enclose your garden so he can't get out in the first place as everytime he does he is being rewarded by his own excitement of the new. You have set up a circular inadvertent reward system for hos behaviour already - lol

Hope this helps xx

 

[FionaM12]

You have my sympathy. I love terriers, but sometimes they can be a complete pain in the a**se.