Please help, beginning to lose the will....

[lukeylou]

My 10month old puppy has always been a little funny about letting me catch him. Recently he's gotten much better out on walks and comes back to me when I call. However, the last month he's really been testing me.

He won't come near me out on walks, he doesn't run off, just refuses to be caught. I've taken chicken, his fav chewy sticks, everything! I have to wait until someone comes by with another dog to distract him so I can grab him it's awful.

I'm beginning to hate walking him because I know I'll have to battle with him to get him back on the lead. The other day he ran out onto the (quiet) road by the woods I walk in and my OH had to practically rugby tackle him which is ridiculous. He's too clever for me and I have no idea what to do.....

 

[CorvusCorax]

You're exuding stress, frustration and anger. You reach out and grab him. You rugby tackle him. Would you want to be caught?
Not slagging you, its the easiest thing in the world to do, it happens to us all.

Make sure he is hungry and not fed before his walk or directly after so he knows he is going to eat anyway, try hand feeding him in the house and garden, give him part of his daily allowance of food from your pocket every time he comes up to your side and praise him, then let him go again, then transfer that to the walk.
Keep him on a harness and long line and recall him loads of times during the walk and feed him part of his daily allowance of food every time he comes back and praise.
(You'll probably need a light bodywarmer with deep pockets)
Or use some of the yummy stuff but -REPLACE- part of his daily allowance of food with that, feed him nothing extra, he has to work for his grub.

Use a whistle and keep your voice very upbeat and light.
Run backwards, hide on him and make him chase you, not the other way around.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Practise with a long line-gentle tug, treat, praise.

My two were like this at 8 months-took the mick horribly and it was very stressful, I hated walking them. At a year old, they have suddenly decided that coming for treats and a pat is a good thing. We did a heck of a lot of training re recall as I panic and I didn't want them running off even if we were nowhere near a road-the woods we use are vast and the OH lost Bear for 20 minutes once.

I dunno if yours responds to voice, but Bear honestly was getting lost when he pelted off and just constantly calling out to him seemed to reorientate him so he could find us again.

 

[Dobiegirl]

There is nothing worse than a dog you cant catch and one that runs off. Weve all been there and it takes a lot of practice, I agree with CC & CT and if it helps take a doggie friend with you that has good recall.