Miss Hayley Hutchinson
3 week ago I got a 3 year old golden retriever off a couple who couldn't look after her for medical reasons, she has lived in a caravan since she was a pup, she never used to get walked very often and didn't have alot of space to run around. Since we have had her, my boyfriend and I take her for 2 long walks a day, we let her off her lead to play but after so long so runs off, when we call her back she stops, looks at us and carries on running, also, when either the back door or the front door opens she escapes out, she runs all over the place, fields, main roads etc, she gets wrong for it every time so you would think she wouldn't do it again, we don't let her off her leader anymore, can anyone tell me why she keeps running away?

The poor girl is confused and scared. When you say she gets wrong for it do you mean you tell her off? She won't understand why she is being told off, only that when she comes back to you, you're cross with her. So whenever you call her she is going to be reluctant to come back to you.

You need to retrain her basically. Dogs do not need to be told off, particularly ones who have had a horrible start in life. You will only make her scared of you and you need to be gaining her trust. Train her using positive reinforcement - praising her when she does something right - rather than negative - telling her off when she does something wrong. If she does something wrong, just ignore her. In the meantime, for her own safety you need to make sure she cannot run away. Hold on to her (and praise her or offer her a treat) when the front door is open. Make sure your back garden is secure with a 6 foot high fence. Buy a training line for her walks - this is a long lead of about 30 foot in length so she can run freely but you retain control. If you can't find one then a length of washing line attached to her collar will do the trick. When you are out, call her back to you randomly, using a bright happy voice and lots of encouragement. Any time she comes when called, make a huge fuss of her, tell her what a good girl she is and give her a treat. You need to convince her that coming to you is a good thing.

It would be very worthwhile taking her to a training class. This will help you bond, help her socialisation, and help you learn how best to train her. There are some good dog forums around as well where you'll get lots of good advice. I recommend http://www.rykat.org/forums/

Hi There,

It sounds as though what you're describing is a normal healthy golden retriever! Remember they are bred as gun dogs to be able to spend long hours out of doors, running about all day. A young, healthy dog will need plenty of energetic exercise every day. And one that has been cooped up in a caravan will want even more.

Rather than you deciding how much exercise she needs, why not let her decide?

Goldens also need mental stimulation as well, as they are intelligent dogs. Try to keep her interested in some energetic games where she will have to think as well (eg finding hidden things).

If you are in UK you are responsible for keeping your dog out of the road and can be prosecuted if it causes an accident. Can you fence in your garden [yard] ? If not an idea is to have a baby gates at the back and front doors then she wont slip past you when you open the door