It’s summer in Orlando. That magical time when the sun sets around 9 PM, humidity hits “swamp,” and your dog—your sweet, lovable dog—decides that your fenced-in yard is actually a launchpad to freedom.
You open the door to let them out. They glance at you. You blink. They're gone.
Running. Frolicking. Living their best life.
Meanwhile, you're chasing them down the street in sandals, carrying a leash, a treat, and the deep regret of not signing up for behavioral training.
It’s cute in movies. Not so much in rush hour traffic.
Let’s talk about why dogs run away like summer is their personal vacation—and more importantly, how to stop it before you're the next viral “loose dog in public” video.
Dogs don’t run away because they hate you. They run away because they’re curious. Or bored. Or excited. Or scared. Or maybe the wind blew in just the right direction and they took it as a sign from the universe.
Here are the most common culprits:
Dogs are basically tiny detectives with no sense of consequence. If they see, hear, or smell something new, their brains say: Must. Investigate. Now.
Could be another dog. A pizza delivery guy. A plastic bag floating down the street. Anything is fair game.
Fireworks. Thunderstorms. Car alarms. Orlando has all three, sometimes at the same time. Dogs with fear-based triggers often bolt without warning. If your dog’s tail drops before they disappear, you had about 2.5 seconds to act.
If your dog isn’t mentally or physically stimulated, escaping is just another form of entertainment. Dogs don’t have Netflix. They have “dig a hole under the fence” and “jump over your HOA-approved landscaping.”
Without proper obedience training, your dog doesn't know what “come” means. Or they do—and they just think it’s optional.
Especially during summer when doors are constantly opening for guests, cookouts, and kids running in and out. That’s prime escape opportunity.
If your dog can’t be trusted in your backyard, there’s no way they’re ready for off-leash freedom at Lake Baldwin Park or during a Memorial Day parade. Yet here we are—seeing dogs dart across open parks like it’s the final lap of the Daytona 500.
Orlando isn’t built for untrained off-leash dogs. You’ve got cars, crowds, squirrels, other dogs, kids with ice cream... it’s a sensory buffet for canine chaos.
Your dog bolting the second they see another pup
Ignoring your calls while nose-diving into someone’s picnic
Making you say “I swear they never do this at home” 14 times in a row
Off-leash should feel like a trust fall—not like you're preparing to re-enact The Fast and the Fur-ious.
If your dog runs like they’re training for a marathon, it's time to train like you’re preparing for survival.
Let’s keep it simple. Three commands. That’s it.
The “pause” button. This prevents door dashes, backyard escapes, and launching into traffic because someone across the street dared to own a tennis ball.
Start in your house. Then the yard. Then try it with the front door open.
Reward like your life depends on it. Because one day, it might.
This command means “stop whatever you’re doing and return to me.” Not “do three laps around the lake first.”
Start on a leash. Work up to longer distances. Use high-value treats.
Never call them to “come” if you're going to scold them. Otherwise, “come” becomes code for “run faster and don’t look back.”
This one is perfect for curbside control. Or doorway discipline. Or preventing a jump into the back of a stranger’s pickup truck because “it smelled like bacon.”
Practice with doors, leashes, gates. Extend the time. Make it a game. Dogs love winning games. Especially the ones where beef jerky is the prize.
Until your dog can walk calmly on a leash without pulling, lunging, or trying to lead you to the nearest squirrel, off-leash dreams are just that—dreams.
Leash training teaches impulse control. It builds focus. It teaches them that the best part of the walk… is you.
Yes, even if you're sweaty, out of breath, and bribing them with cheese sticks.
You could watch dozens of YouTube videos, read five contradictory articles, or bribe your neighbor’s golden retriever to teach your dog some manners.
Or you could just call us. At Sit Happens Orlando, we specialize in turning chaos into calm.
🐶 In-home, one-on-one training
We train your dog where they live, with all their distractions present. That way, the skills stick.
🐶 Behavioral training for runners and bolters
From door dashers to backyard Houdinis, we build the impulse control your dog needs to stay safe—and stay put.
🐶 Obedience training that works in real-world situations
Your dog will listen. Not just in training, but at the beach, the park, and in your open garage while you’re unloading groceries.
🐶 Puppy training, leash training, and advanced commands
If they’re young, we start them right. If they’re older, we help them unlearn the bad stuff. We’ve seen it all.
Until we arrive (or after we’ve worked our magic), here are a few quick fixes that make a big difference:
✔ Secure your fences – Dogs can jump, dig, and manipulate weaknesses like tiny four-legged engineers.
✔ Use baby gates inside – Block doorways to prevent unexpected sprints.
✔ Leash your dog before opening doors – One extra second saves hours of panic.
✔ Practice door manners daily – Open slowly. Cue a “wait.” Then release. Repeat until it's muscle memory.
✔ Use recall games – Call your dog back from another room. Reward. Turn it into a habit.
Most dogs don’t run to spite you. They run because they’re untrained, overstimulated, or simply unaware of the risks.
With the right tools and the right training, you can turn your Orlando runner into a reliable, confident companion—one who comes back every time, no questions asked.
Schedule your first session with Sit Happens Orlando today.
Let’s teach your dog that adventure doesn’t require an escape route—and that “stay” isn’t just a suggestion.
Summer freedom is great. As long as it comes with a leash of responsibility.
