ESCAPES THROUGH OPEN GATE AND WILL NOTLET ME CATCH HIM

Question
I HAVE A 11 MONTH OLD YORKIE NAMED BUDDY. HE WILL NOT LET ME CATCH HIM WHEN HE GETS AWAY OR OFF HIS LEASH WHEN WE ARE OUT WALKING.HE WILL RUN AND RUN AND NOT ALLOW ME TO CATCH HIM. WHAT CAN I DO?  I AM GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED WITH HIM  

Answer
Helen, if he has not already been obedience trained (and it sounds like he hasn't! *grin*), I would recommend enrolling him in a basic obedience class first and foremost. He should learn to sit, lay down, stay, come to you when you call him, and probably how to walk nicely on the leash without pulling. Stay away from the training classes in pet stores, but call around to the other local trainers and see what they offer. Ask if you can go and watch a class before you make a decision. If they say no, then mark them off the list and move on. When you do go watch, leave Buddy at home. If anything about the trainer's methods or attitude bothers you, talk to them about it, and if you're still uncomfortable, mark *them* off the list and move on.

In the meantime, I would not let Buddy outside without being on a leash. If he slips out of his collar, then the collar may be too big, or you may need to get a limited-slip or martingale collar for him. A harness would be another option, but you cannot use a harness during training because it really gives you no control over him and can encourage pulling on the leash. If he STILL somehow gets away from you while on a walk, then say his name to get his attention, and turn and run in the opposite direction. This should cause him to chase after you. Gradually slow down and allow him to catch you, and then reach down and get his leash. Do NOT scold him when he comes to you. If he will not get close enough to you for you to grab his leash, then suddenly stop when he is almost to you, and pretend there is something extremely interesting on the ground in front of you. He should come to investigate, at which point you should be able to take hold of the leash. It might be a good idea to always carry a few treats or pieces of cheese with you so that when he comes to you, you can give him the treat while you grab his leash.

Kristen