Running from us

Question
I have an almost 5 month old black lab puppy that likes to run from my husband and I when he is out side unleashed. My puppy loves to play chase and I honestly think that's what he's doing how do we help our dog understand when it's play time or serious time?

Answer
I think ''Chase'' is puppies favorite game.  I suggest never letting a dog loose in an unfenced area.  "Come" needs to be taught as part of proper pack status and obedience.  If you dog is at least 4 - 5 months old, 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.  Before 4 months use a conventional flat collar to protect the tender young neck.

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.

Relying on come to control most dogs loose outside is risky, and I do not
recommend it.  Dogs are individuals.  Some can be trained to come when you have
no way to enforce it, but some will never be completely reliable even for the
most experienced trainers.

Consider fencing the yard, either a conventional fence or the electronic ones.
A tether is fine for short relief breaks with exercise coming from long walks
on leash or in controlled areas like a dog park. Just letting a dog run loose in a residential area is not acceptable.