If you call your dog and she refuses to come to you, you have a potentially dangerous situation, if she is not in a safe enclosed area. Stay calm. Do not chase her. You cannot outrun her, and any movement toward her may be perceived as engaging in a game of chase. Screaming at her or otherwise terrorizing her will only make things worse. Do not actively follow her but do try to keep an eye on her.
Just the act of following her as she strolls along just out of reach may make her think you’re on an adventure together and she’s just leading the way, so follow her, but lead off a bit in a different direction. Is she slyly checking back to be sure you’re still with her? Yup. You’re on a doggy adventure, and you need to gain control.
Run in the Opposite Direction
If your dog runs when you approach her, turn and run in the opposite direction, frequently glancing back at her and calling her name periodically. Run toward a safe place, preferably into a fenced yard or building. Engage her in a happy voice with relaxed mannerisms. Stop if you need to and act playful, encouraging her to come play with you. Your goal is to make your dog decide that being with you is way more fun than running off on her own.
You’re trying to change the dynamics of the game, so that she will try to catch you. When she catches up to you, you will have your leash ready but do NOT grab her or pounce on her. If you miss, she will bolt again, and you will have made that game of chase more fun for her. Just continue on together for a few steps.
When Your Dog Catches Up
As your dog is walking with you, sit down on the ground and encourage her to move closer to you. Don’t reach for her (the chase game is still going on). Instead, offer her a treat or three for coming to you—always have treats in your pocket when you’re with your dog!—and pet her. When she’s focused on you and looking for the next treat, offer it, and gently snap on the leash while she’s enjoying treat.
Do NOT at any point attempt to correct or reprimand her. Reward her immensely for engaging with you. At this point, your dog has forgotten about the chase “game,” so if you are angry with her now, she will assume it’s because she gave in and came to you.
Scared Dog Running Away
Remember that it’s possible that your dog may be running away from something scary, like a siren or a tarp blowing in the wind. In that case, she will probably only run a short way, then turn around and look at the threatening object. That’s your chance to run in a neutral direction, at an angle that’s away from both her and the scary thing and encourage her to follow you. And, again, this is all a reminder that you need a solid recall cue.
So, what’s your next step? Train a proper recall, which is detailed in an article by Whole Dog Journal Executive Editor Kate O’Connor.
