Off Leash Training.....I Can't Wait!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thursday is Murphy's first off leash training session.  I'm using the private trainer who has been working with us for the past few months.  I think having the right trainer will be critical - this is definitely not something I would ever consider trying to do on my own.  I chose him because I know that he has successfully off leash trained his own dog. The training center where I took Murph for his "behavioral" classes doesn't even offer of leash programs.  It's really amazing to me that my trainer's dog behaves off lead exactly the same way as if he were leashed.  So, I talked with him last night, and he asked me to start thinking about my "expectations" for Murphy.  Apparently off leash reliability can be pretty narrowly defined to mean something as simple as a consistent recall in any situation to things like being able to put your dog in a down stay while they are across an open field from where you are standing.  He said, of course we'll break it all down to manageable exercises, but he wanted me to be clear about what I'm looking for ultimately.  I think I want it "all".  What's most important to me is that in the Summer when we're at the beach that he can be trusted.  We go to a private beach, and dogs are allowed to be off leash.  Right now that would never work with Murphy.  He said that he decides whether a dog is ready for this before he will even accept a client.  His opinion is that focus is the base for the training, and without that it just won't be successful.  He feels that Murphy does have that focus.  He said that he has noticed that Murph always is conscious of exactly where I am and that is a critical foundation.  His opinion is that this came from the early focus work that we did (thank you for that, Adina) and the daily "heel" training.  He reminded me that we will have to continuously reinforce ALL of the work that has been done so far "on lead"....that doesn't stop because it's critical to the next step.  I'm not sure exactly what that means yet.  So, to me this is all very exciting.  Many months ago when I was in the trenches with Murphy, I watched a young man with his dog training off lead.  It was a beautiful thing to see.  This dog was so totally in sync with his owner that there was absolutely no need to have a leash.  When I watched that I knew it's where I wanted to go.  So now we're on our new journey.  I'll continue to update this post as we go through our sessions.  Anyone who is also doing off leash training, please post here as well.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Good point!   Yes, her dog is focused on a ball and 50 kids playing soccer was not a distraction (and the dog had only lived with her 1 night when she brought her to a soccer field off leash).   I like that aspect of her dog but I also think its unusual for a dog to be so indifferent to humans and dogs.      I walked in to a class last summer with Boomer and he got VERY excited to see the other dogs (as expected) and while one trainer was taking attendance, the owner/trainer walked over, grabbed Boomer's leash and walked him to the middle of the room (still alot of barking, chaos etc with it being our first class at this facility).....the guy dropped Boomer's leash and proceeded to tell the class that its all about the energy.   Where that man walked, Boomer walked.   Keep in mind, there were 20 dogs surrounding that room and Boomer was off leash and stood next to that STRANGER.    He looked at me and said, "do you know this dog?"    Of course I had to say NO!!   I was in total shock...so I can understand how your trainer's actions with Murphy gave you confidence. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh my....can you hire that trainer...LOL.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

I drive 65 miles RT for this trainer.  (I pass dozens along the way) but the husband/wife team that own this training facility are top-notch!   They have trained dogs for movies (and there is a picture on the wall of her, Tom Cruise and a dog she trained for one of his movies).    They don't do private lessons but do have a board & train program that I've considered but haven't bit that bullet yet!

[Dori & Rua]

Jane...I am terrified of Rua NOT being on a leash and running off.  Rua who was 10 months old on the 27th, has only been off-leash in OUR BACKYARD a few times.  Mostly because I have been catching my DH taking her outside for potty without putting her on the leash.  So, today, I sucked it up (MY FEAR) and let Rua outside  (both DH and myself went out with her).  Just to test, I RAN to the patio door...and low and beyold, so did Miss Rua!  That helped a wee bit.  I know we are not ready for the real world yet, but I am thankful (and scared) that my DH doesn't have the same FEAR that I do.  He would never jepordize Rua's well=being, but isn't a OCDM (obsesive-compulsive-doodle-mom)!

 

Can't waid to hear how you are progressing!

[Adina P]

I think very few dogs will just run away altogether. Usually they just won't respond reliably, chase something, or get themselves into trouble by their lack of responding to recall or veering off a bit.  Each of those could be dangerous...but it's not really that they'll see they have no leash and decide to get outta dodge.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You may want to start practicing off leash recalls with Rua in the yard.  If your DH is with you, there really is no worry that she'll run off.  To me that (along with a good heel) is a first step in going off leash.  You need to have confidence that the dog will come to you even when distracted.  That will probably help your confidence a lot too.