Hi.

I've noticed in the last few days my dog has stopped listening to my
commands when we are at an off leash area. He is 8yrs old and has always
listened when off leash in the park. In the past 4 days we have gone three
times. The first time we went he was ok then suddenly he took off running
ahead and just kept going and going not even looking back to see if I was
still there. I was shocked and kept calling his name but it's like he didn't
hear me. Finally he showed up out of the bushes. I thought oh well maybe he
smelled something.


The next day different park..everything seems ok..then bang off he went
running and running like he is on some mission or something. He ran down
into a slough..he doesn't like being wet..so I don't understand why he did
that. He knows the 'Stop' command but it didn't work, nor did 'come'.

Today we go again..everything seems ok...he took off again and just kept
running all the way across the park...this is acres away from me. He just
doesn't seem to care suddenly. This is a dog who will run only a few feet
ahead and then stops to check to see whether I'm still with him....it has
always been this way since puppyhood. I know for sure I will not let him
loose again (although the off leash areas are very safe) Do I have to
retrain him the come command? I will..but it seems odd that after all these
years of using it he has stopped listening. Oh he is not going deaf I
checked for that.