Off leash?

[Rachel and Ollie]

So how do you know if a dog will do okay off leash? Do you just try it and hope they don't run off? This is scary to me. I think Ollie would run just to run, so I know he is not ready. I just wondered how you know when they are? What if I go camping? Do I leash him the whole time? 

[Rachel and Ollie]

This is all great advice. It looks like I need to work on recall as well as wait until Ollie gets a bit older to try off leashing. The only reason I wanted to have him off leash was at a campsite, but as mentioned in the posts, I looked and it is not even allowed at the campsite. Thanks all for the tips and tricks! I also thought maybe I was missing something and should work to have him off leash, but it sounds like many of you don't do this, so this is helpful. Thanks guys! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You use a thin, light line attached to their corrective collar.  It can be 20 feet long.  They drag it as they walk but you can catch them by putting your foot on it.  You can make a 'tag' of regular rope to attach as a 'handle' on their collar.

Here is a close up of Ned with the tag and light line and then a picture of my DH using it with Clancy.                                                         

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I would not let me doodles off leash in a open area unless they had 110% recall.  I practice recall in the dog park with my doodles.  Sasha would "probably" do OK because she really does not venture too far from my side and does not have small aninal prey drive what so ever.  Oliver on the other hand I would not trust at all.... he has a thing for squirrels.  Ollie has pretty good recall in the dog park and checks in often but I am still comfortable with it so I will not let either of them off leash.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

For us "off leash" training was part of our overall training program.  We taught heel, sit, down, stay and come first with a regular leash and then with a long line.  Once they were very solid (and this took many months, and one dog still isn't solid around dog distractions), we started the off-leash part of the training.  We did the same basic exercises only without a leash or with them dragging a leash so we could step on it if they didn't stay by our side. We still closely manage their time not on a leash, and our dog reactive dog is only allowed to be without a leash or long line in situations without other dog distractions.  We do not allow them to run ahead of us...they have to stay in a 10 ft radius or us for now.

[Judy & Cooper]

Lots of good info, and I can only agree with it. It took a few years before I was comfortable letting Brady off lead. Lots of recall practice ..with distractions. It's great fun when they are trained!!!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

These are all terrific suggestions, and I have one more to add.  Have a special recall word that's reserved for emergency situations.  Practice calling your dog with that word.  Choose something that nobody else would use such as "pronto, here, danger, quickly, now" or anything else that works for you, and REWARD WITH MEAT every time.  That way, you dog will know that you mean business and that there is no choice involved but to come.  If you are out and have to use the special word, be sure to give a meaty reward as soon as you get home with the words, "Good Pronto or Good Quickly."  If I am taking Wally out for a hike, I always take some chicken or hot dog pieces with me -- just in case!  He's very reliable, but you can never be certain.

[Martha & Cooper]

Interesting question because we camp a lot and all of the campgrounds, State Parks and Private have the same rules about dogs being leashed at all times.  I know you see others that don't always follow the rules, but it really is safer.  

[Christine & Shelby]

Hi Rachel & Ollie,

I wanted to respond since we know you IRL and because I rembmer having this question as well.   Shelby can now be trusted off leash when we walk at Lick Creek Park (off leash permitted), but I won't let her off leash where there are vehicles - it's just not worth the risk.

To give you perspective on how we worked up to this.   Shelby had completed two obedience classes, had a good recall (which we practiced in a variety of locations using a 30 foot training lead).  Friends would help.... too - Shelby Come.... treat, Shelby come.... treat - over and over and over.

Then... we started working recall at the dog park (all our training really).  Recall in your apartment is one thing - but recall with 25 other dogs around in a fenced in park is a whole different story.   I would call her out of play with other dogs.... let her wander to the far end of the park and call her back... she became very reliable.

Once I felt comfortable with that I took her to the off leash park one or two times on her 30 foot training lead would let her wander and then work her recall.   She did great.

Finally - I took her off leash for the first time and brough a friend and her dog with us.... she loves Macy and Macy has reliable recall... Shelby loves Macy and would stay with her.  This was a great first go at it and Shelby did great.  I worked her recall several times (with treats and she did great).  

There is a lot of preparation before I'd even give it a try with Ollie, he is still young - needs a class or two under his belt - maybe some dog park visits with Shelby & Knox so you can guage his attention to you in that setting - he's off leash, but in controlled environment. 

Knox & Shelby have been to Lick Creek together off leash and stick together the entire time!   We'd love to help you get Ollie to the point that he could join us.... he'd love it!  If you have other questions or want to practice at a dog park.... let me know... Shelby and I would be happy to help - and I bet Knox would too!  

[Rachel and Ollie]

We would love going on the trail with you all! It looks like I need to train more as well as wait for him to get older. I might try tennis courts to start...they are gated in. 

Ollie misses you and Shelby. (and Knox and Doris and Tim)

[Margaret Erwin]

We started leaving Ella and Harry off leash when they were puppies and then recalled with treats. Now, at 3 years old, they always want to have us in eye sight  when walking in the preserve.  BUT, we had a Great Pyrenees that had never been off leash outside the yard. We live on a golf course and I decided to go for a walk with her off leash in the winter.  She was about 8 years old.  She took off like a rocket and it took 1/2 hour for me to find her.  So, start early with treat recall!  it might also be the breed.