I got a runner!!

Question
About one year ago I adopted an approximately 10 year old standard poodle from the pound.  I have found that he is a runner!  other than his occasional counter surfing for bread and sweets, he is a great dog.  However, when outside if he sneaks out the gate or if I lose his lead he is head down and gone.  He eventually comes back or I find him by picking him up in my convertible wait a minute . . . am I being duped by my dog????  Seriously, how can I teach a 10 year old dog to come when he is called -- -- all the time?

Thank you.

Answer
Hello C,
Unfortunately there is no real way to train a dog to stay with you off a leash when there are distractions around him.  On the plus side though, there are ways to help keep him near when he is outside with you and he slips his lead or gets away from you.  

The first thing you can do is establish a dominate relationship with him.  What you have to do is let him know that you are his boss and not the other way around.  Make him sit before you pet or feed him, or when you go to put the leash on him.  If he resists, lay him on the ground with his head on the floor and make him submit to you.  It may sound mean, but you have to let him know you are his boss.  You can also sit with him on the floor and lay him in your lap.  Go over him and make him lay there.  Pet him or make it an exam time.  This shows him you are his boss because your head is over his and though he is venerable, you won't let anything hurt him.  
Once he sees you as boss, he will want to stay with you and you will be able to call him to you and have him listen.  

You can also use treats to motivate him to want to stay with you when he gets loose from the leash.  Start off in the house and use the word "Treats" and his name to call him to you.  In other words "Buddy, Treats".  If he doesn't come right away, go show him the treat and lead him back to where you called him at.  Then give him the treat.  You can do this from anywhere in the house.  You want him to think its a game and to come running from any room in the house.  Praise him and make it a big deal when he does it.  Make sure to never play this game unless you have food to give him.  Now when he gets loose outside, play this game and he will want to come to you because he knows there will be food.

You might think about getting your dog into some local Dog Training Classes so that you will have other dogs and distractions to work around.  They teach Coming on Command and though its not fail proof when your dog is off the lead, it helps teach a dog to listen and obey even when off the leash.  Contact your local Pet Store (sometimes PetCo or PetSmart holds classes through their stores) or Vet and see if they know of any Trainers in your area.

If it gets serious and you can't find another way to get him to stay with you, there is always a Shock Collar, to teach a dog not to run from you.  I don't like to suggest them, but with some dogs its the only thing that will help.  If you think this would be something you would try, let me know and I will give you more information.   

I hope this helps you some and sorry for the delayed response.  My computer is down.
If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim