We live pretty off the grid so puppy classes aren't really an option. As for the "come issue" he never takes off right out of sight or runs and doesn't stop. I'd say about 50 ft is as far as he's gotten and I've never really had to spend more than 3-4 minute before he comes back.

New issue though. Tucker has been going to the neighbors. At first it was occasional but they would pet him and play with him then call me and say he was over there, usually after taking him into the house and playing with the kids. I told them to stop it and if he goes over there to give him shit and shoo him back. I also told them that if they want to do that now then they better expect a full grown dog to think that their yard is his yard in the future. So I go over there today and see my puppy poo by their driveway. When I asked them about it they said he was in their yard all morning( I was making play doh with my daughter and he whined to go out, I had doh on the stove and sticky hands so I didn't tie him). Why they couldn't yell at him out the door I dson't know.

The goal is to have him stay in the yard without having to be tied, but he will be if need be. I've had alot of people tell me taht if we tie him all the time now he'll most likely take off every time we let him off. So I guess what I'm asking next is how to teach him the boundries of the yard and unteach what he learnt from the neighbors. They come over with their kids some times, should I not let them play with him or see him at all?

We both have 100 foot wide lots and our houses are about 35 ft from ours there is a definate tree line between our houses of spuce trees. He sometimes hides in the shade under them or plays with his toys but there are lots of other places for him to do this. Should the trees themselves on that side be off limits to create a buffer?

Thanks guys, I'd just rather get this all started now while he is young instead of undoing everything when he is older.