How to teach your dog to bolt from a standing start

By MacDonald

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Buckle collar or harness
<br />Leash
<br />Treats
<br />Toys
<br />A helper

Step 1:
If your dog has a solid stay and will not break until you give your command, you don't need a helper. You just need something for your dog to be excited enough to run after. This could be you, a wide open park, a favorite toy you throw at the moment of bolting or another dog to chase. For agility dogs, their reason for taking off fast would be the course ahead. Stand your dog and give her the STAY or WAIT command. Then get her geeked up about her reason she is about to "break." Use an excited tone of voice and let the tension build--ask her if she's ready, ready, ready, then give your break or GO command. Let her go, run with her if she needs some prodding and be very excited.
Step 2:
Unless a dog has had a lot of practice with staying under distraction, you may need a helper. Use only a flat buckle collar or harness to hold her back. Hold your dog back while playing the "ready, ready, ready" game. Make sure she is focused on what she really wants to chase. This could be any of the aforementioned, or it could be your helper waving a tantalizing toy or treat. If you are using a helper, have your helper start running away right before you let her go with an enthusiastic GO.
Step 3:
It makes it simple for your dog if you have a completely novel command for this game. It may be BREAK, GO, GET IT or whichever you choose, but make it apply to this game only. If you use the same release command for different situations, applying it to another situation could give her the idea she can go nuts on any release word, which you probably don't want.
Step 4:
Some dogs may not have a high prey drive, or may be clingy or too unsure to leave your side. If your dog does this, give her permission to GO by running with her. You can even use a bicycle or skateboard to get her more excited about bolting from a standing start.
Step 5:
If you have a very food motivated dog, you can use a visible treat as a lure. Putting a treat on a paper plate or coffee can lid makes it easy for your dog to target. Practice putting it in different places so she is leaving you at varied angles. You could even put it behind her so she has to whirl around on your command and run to it.

Tips & Warnings

Only do this in a safe area. If you think your dog might take off or start chasing something inappropriate, keep it to a fenced yard or other secured place.
If your dog has a tendency to nip or get too rough when chasing somebody, use a thrown toy instead. You do not want to encourage nipping or overly rough play.

More Puppy Pages

How to Teach Your Labrador to Come

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Leash Step 1: Train your dog to come when still a puppy, if possible. Dog training works best at a young age. Step 2: Remember to use the word "Come" only in a positive voice. If you use it in a mad tone, the dog...

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Anything a dog can easily jump onto Treats Clicker Toy How to Train a Dog to Lie Down on an Agility Table Step 1: Use anything that can be a substitute for an agility table and is approximately the same height your...

How to teach a japeke dog to come to you

Instructions Things You’ll Need: 20-foot training leash 6-foot leash Flat buckle collar or harness Treats Toys Step 1: The first rule is never to call your dog to you for punishment. This is never fair to a dog. Like any dog, your Japeke must...

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Everyday buckle collar If necessary, a training collar Six foot leash Twenty foot leash Toys and treats Step 1: Teach your children how to treat the dog. Never allow them to tease any animal. If you have a...

Instructions Step 1: Start teaching your dog not to chase with the dog on leash. Roll a ball out in front of the dog and give the verbal command "off." Step 2: Give a firm tug on the leash when he starts to go after the ball and give the "off" command...