What type of collar do you use? I always used choke collars for my shar-pei. If we were working, it was a metal one, if we were just walking, around the house, etc. it was a nylon choker. These are much harder to back out of as they tighten up.
I have had a few over the years that loved to run. I also did rescue and those were the worst offenders usually. A couple of things I learned.
DO NOT CHASE THEM!! This is what they want, it is a game!! (this was hard with rescues because if new, they might keep running, so we had to give chase).
DO NOT YELL AT THEM!! They are smart and are not going to come back to be yelled at or spanked for running off. Squat down (less threatening) and call them like you are soooo excited!! Clap your hands, and act like an idiot, like they are missing out on so much fun!! If they come, praise them like crazy!! Yep, hard to do when you are mad at them, but it works.
My personal favorite, falls under the do not chase. Instead of chasing on foot, follow in your vehicle, if you dog likes to go for rides. This type of chasing is different. I would usually follow, actually pass the dog, pull over, open the door and call them. "Want to go for a ride????" They usually jump right in!!
These things almost always worked except for one die hard runner (rescue) that I had. He had been picked up by animal control after someone caught him in their garage. He was starving, had ever kind of parasite known, was not nuetered and his collar was embedded in his skin. The staff cut the collar off and pulled in out and he licked their face! They called and said, he is ugly, but he deserves a chance. That boy was a bolter. If a door opened a crack, he would shoot through, knocking you out of the way and off he would go. When trying to catch him, he wanted to come to you, but was scared and didn't trust humans. After 6 months, he neck was healed, he was parasite free, his coat was shiny, he had gained 10-15 pounds and he no longer bolted. I still don't think he would come easily if loose, demons haunted him, but he had learned not to bolt. He went to a wonderful family with 2 little girls, whom he adored. They had a very secure fence and he was a happy boy!
