Question: I have an eight-year-old German Short-haired Pointer that, up until this last year, has been a great dog. The problem I'm having is this. She's begun bolting for the door whenever she feels that she can sneak past someone who's going in or out of the door. I have caught her peeking around the corner, looking for an opportunity to bolt. I know it might sound loony but it's true. When she get the chance to bolt by someone, she high-tails it for hours. As she's running away, she looks over her should with a look that seems to say ‘screw you.' After a few hours pass, she comes to the door and wails as if someone is killing her. It doesn't stop, no matter what or for how long. It's driving me to the point that I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of her. She's been a good hunter and she's been through on- and off-lead training. While in the house or on-lead, she'll do as commanded. I've had her since she was eight weeks old. What can I do?

Jon.

Answer: It sounds to me like your dog isn't getting the proper amount of exercise. Try running her for at least an hour twice a week. A regular schedule of exercise, same times on the same days each week, may give her the outlet she needs to burn off the extra energy, as well as something to look forward to besides your daily household routines. If I were you, I'd invest in an invisible fence set-up. They're fairly cheap, usually under $200, and they're easy to install. Then, if she does slip out, she would have to stay in your yard. There are probably some underlying things going on that are contributing to your dog's problem behavior. Take a close look at her needs and how you aren't meeting them before you label her an outlaw.

Charlie Linblade

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