Off Leash Training....And Bully Breeds Aren't Called That For Nothing

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Now that Murph is pretty much under control (with a "slip" every now and then), we've moved to off leash training.  It's not easy because we have strict leash laws and there is really only one place appropriate for this training....it's a state owned forest area with trails and fields and dogs do not have to be leashed.  We've been going there with our trainer every week...unfortunately we're not alone.  We have our little "procedure"....we walk from the car down a path and into the main open area with the boys on leash.  We go through making sure they're calm by sitting them a few times before we actually get to the open area.  Once we're there we remove their leashes, and that's when the "off leash heel" requirements start.  There are other dogs running all around...all kinds of other dogs.  We require our guys to walk right next to us...not a formal heel...but by out side or right behind us.  Last week Guinness "broke" when he saw a Boxer and ran up to him....the dog did not like our little Dood and attacked him.  Guinness can run like the wind when he's motivated...and he did.  The Boxer never broke the skin, and Guinness was fine and stayed right with us for the rest of the morning.  Today we were back at it.  This time we focused more on Guinness (since Murph actually does great off leash).  As we were walking we saw a couple with a GSD and a Pit Bull walking toward us.  When the Pit spotted Guinness he took off toward him and aggressively went at him.  Our trainer was able to back him down and Guinness was fine.  For some reason these breeds seem to look at Guinness as a target...maybe due to his size.  There was nothing in his body language today to bring this attack on.  Interestingly after it happened Guinness (who has always walked by my side or right behind me) decided to walk with Ben (our trainer)....it was kind of like he was thinking..."you saved me...Mom was useless".  This may be more of a blog than a Training discussion, but I wanted to share it.  I've always planned to training both on and off leash.  The problem is where do you do this and still keep your dogs safe?  It's absurd to me that anyone would take a dog aggressive pit to this off leash park, but apparently that's the reality.  For now we're only going to continue this when our trainer is with us...unfortunately.  I don't have enough confidence to believe that I can keep my guys safe alone.  Is anyone else doing off leash work and how/where do you do it?

[Seamus & Haidee]

I do off leash work at a dog run- hand recalls. It's a great way for Seamus to burn off energy. The bad news was that he was also attacked also by a 7 month old pit bull who appeared smaller than him but she was actually much stronger. I immediately had to pull the other dog off of Seamus and he was quite deflated after the entire experience. The owner of the pit bull puppy apologized and put her on a leash. We left the park and took a relaxing drive home. My experience is to always be on alert and to be ready for anything when he is off leash as anything can happen in just seconds.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We've definitely learned that....we are on alert the whole time now. 

[Adina P]

Hmm...it's a tough call.  I think if an off leash dog wants to go after another dog...he will do so whether that other dog is on or off leash.  Don't you think?  What I mean is it shouldn't stop your off leash training because the 'bad' dog won't care if your dogs are wearing a leash or not.  The best you can do is be prepared to turn the other way or have something on you with which to ward off a dog attack (? what I'm not sure?).

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

It really irritates me that owners would leave their dog off leash knowing that their dog has this type of behavior (because I'm pretty sure owners would know if or if not their dog has a tendency to attack others).  I never take bender to dog parks any more because I know he has problems at a dog park but I always take them hiking and there is this remote part of a park by our house that I let them off leash.  They run around and play and I try to do some "come" and "heel" while we are all hanging out.  The minute I see another dog I ALWAYS put Bender back on his leash.  I feel like the Boxer owner and the pit owner that attacked Guinness should have put their dogs on leash as soon as they saw you and your dogs.  That would be the responsible thing to do.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Joanna, you are absolutely right...this was not the first time these dogs have attacked.  These are irresponsible owners.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Jane, I don't take my dogs off leash so take this with a grain of salt because its coming out of my curiosity. As Joanna described, I'd like my dogs to get to "off leash" because I'd like them to run ahead, circle around and come back when called. I don't understand your purpose for off leash if they must remain at your side. As long as they are at your side, why not keep a leash on? Or is this just a step toward letting them eventually run ahead etc?! Thanks. As I said, just curious.

Julie

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That is a great question, Julie.  I'm trying to train my guys to do what I ask of them whether or not they have a leash on.  I want the leash to be totally irrelevant.  It's not at all about exercise or having them be able to run ahead and then come back.  IMO if they are truly trained, they won't need to have a leash to control them.  It's a dream and a goal of mine.  When I "get where I'm going" I will have a relationship with my guys where they know what I'm asking of them and they will do it (not for fear of correction, but because they understand  and are motivated to listen and obey).  I realize that this is not easy to achieve, but I have the time, patience and will to keep trying to get there.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's nothing in all of dogdom more impressive to me than seeing a dog who is fully within his owner's control when off-leash. To achieve that level of mutual trust and communication between dog and owner speaks volumes about the bond between them. 

[Kyoko]

Yes, I feel the same. When the dog and his/her owner can do that, to me it shows there are noting interesting or worth leaving the owner for the dog... 

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Jane, I think what you are working towards is wonderful.  It is beautiful to see a dog and owner that closely intuned to each other that little verbal communication is needed, just a turn of the sholder or head, a look or gesture in a particular direction - simular but different than what you would see in an obediance trial.  I admire your determination!!

Good luck and be safe!! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And of course, if a dog does what you ask of him whether he's on leash or not, it might just save his life some day. Leashes break, gates get left open....

[Lynda Kamrath]

My dogs are off leash as much as possible, but we have areas that are good for them to run off leash.  However, there are sometimes cows or sheep in those areas and we have to be careful when other animals are around.  I have not been able to break the dogs of taking off after a cow (or sheep).  They don't seem to bother much with other dogs when they are off leash unless another dog approaches me.  Groucho Too is extremely jealous.  He is huge, and as long as other dogs do not come near me, he is fine.  Their favorite thing to do is to chase after my husband on his bike.  Sometimes we take them on bike tow leashes, but sometimes they just run after my husband.  They come to me and sit down to get their leash hooked on their collar as long as they are not distracted by something more interesting.  It is tough to get dogs trained to follow all directions.