Running away and being dull.

Question
Hi, I have a one year old golden retreiver. Whenever he gets the chance to, he runs away. Can you tell me how to stop this problem. I am very concerned because there is a busy street near our house and I dont want him to get hit by a car. Another problem is that Max(my dog) is always laying on the tile doing nothing and staring into space. He doesnt even sleep. It seems that he is bored and I try to cheer him up, but I cant play with him all day. So what should I do. Thanks for your time.

Answer
Start with a good 6' leather leash and a sturdy slip collar, the metal chain
ones with the rings on each end. You want the shortest one that will go on
and off easily. If you walk with the dog on the left, pull the chain through
one loop forming a "P". Facing it, slip it over its head. The free end
should come over the neck to the leash, and the other end should drop slack
when there is no pull on the leash.  

With the dog at the end of the leash, call its name and "Come" in a firm
voice. If it comes, praise it lavishly and pet it. If it doesn't come, repeat
the command and give the leash a light snap. Keep it up with firmer leash snaps
until the dog does come. Do not forget the praise.  Then switch to a longer
leash or rope, about 25'.  When it comes well on the longer leash, you should
be able to go to off leash in a fenced area, etc. Once the dog is doing well, introduce come, treat. This is for emergencies only when the dog has gotten loose accidentally. Use it routinely and you will have nothing to fall back on when your dog is headed for a busy street. "Name, come treat!" is little different from the regular "Name, come!", except the dog gets a great treat when it comes. We are talking a hot dog, cheese, etc. much better than any treat you use routinely.

He might respond to a kibble ball or a peanut butter filled Kong.  The kibble
balls have a hole in them.  Put a little kibble in it, and a peice falls out now and then as the  dog rolls it around.  One can keep some dogs busy for hours.  Likewise the Kong.  Adjust his meals to keep his food intake the same.  You don't want a fat Golden.  See http://www.puppychow.com/products/popup_body_condition.aspx