Off Leash?

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Yesterday Zeke, Lily and I had the most glorious walk in our nearby national park. Normally when I'm by myself I use a coupler and pinch collars to control both dogs. Zeke is 10 1/2 months and Lily is 9 months so we haven't done much off leash stuff except in a fenced area. I tried it with Zeke when he was about 8 months with disasterous results. Since then we have really worked hard on his recalls in obedience class and at home. Lily is just completing beginner obedience so has not practiced recalls very much. Well it was such a beautiful day and where we were walking was a tree lined service road so I just turned them loose. They both did great! At first it was zoomies then exploring the trail. Neither one offered to leave the road or get too far out ahead. Zeke did just as expected when I called him back but Lily was not as consistant. When she wouldn't come I'd sit Zeke and feed him treats til she decided she wanted some of that action. I repeated this several times with better results each time. This is the kind of outing I have longed for and had in mind when first getting a dog. They thoroughly enjoyed it and so did I!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

That sounds like a day I am so looking forward to. Our Golden retriever used to walk off leash all the time. She actually carried it in her mouth. Hopefully Lucca will get to that point where I can trust him off leash

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

That's fabulous!!!! We just started working on off leash with Gaston at the dog park. Great job Zeke and Lily! (Mom too! LOL)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha is very good off leash at the dog park. We took an off leash class but it was inside and she did very well. We started the 2nd off leash class that is held outdoors but after 3 classes the ice and bitter cold seemed to hit us on Wednesdays, class day. We are away from NJ for the past 3 weeks in Florida and she really seemed to remember what she is supposed to do - most of the time. She does listen when I call if she playing with another dog or human but if a ball is invovled, she is ball obsessive, I might as well be talking to myself. That is something I must work hard on when we get home. I seem to forget the 20' leash in the apt when we go to the park.
With all that being said, I would not trust her near a parking lot or street. She just turned a year 2 days ago and I am not confident that she would listen 100% of the time. That is a goal I hope to achieve within the next year.

[Chris & Boys]

Congrats! I can't wait til we get to that point. My GR has been off leash for so long, I couldn't remember when he made the transition. I am glad to hear that you are able to do it under a year! It is encouraging. Good luck!

[Sue & Willy Babe]

Ok I hope this doesn' sound too awfully bad But How do you start the off leash Willson is good in our backyard he comes, will stray a little but when I call his names he comes But when we are at friends and he is playing he will go in the next door neighbor's yard I call his name but he doesn't come the snow is melting and so much now to sniff, any suggestions, When we practice on leash he listens I am up for any suggestions I am hoping it gets warm soon so we can again practice in our yard, I guess I would use treats as a reward which I haven't been doing. But please give me any suggestions Willy is 8 1/2 oh my he is growing up fast!!

[Adina P]

Off leash is much harder than it sounds...at least to have near 100% reliability and safety. I let my dogs off leash at times when we hike, but there are not roads nearby. Even then it depends on the location and the opportunities available for them to go beyond where I can see them.

My opinion...to start he needs to be SUPER solid ON leash in all situations...I mean if off leash reliability in all situations is important to you. A hike in a super safe area doesn't need super reliability... But anywhere else you DO.

Once he's excellent ON leash, then start using looooong leashes. 20-30 feet while obedience training...so you can get distance but he's still attached. The rest I'd go with a trainer's advice for your situation and training method preference. We used 100 feet of light parachute cord...gradually trimmed that down to shorter distances. I never finished Rosco off leash, but was getting closer. It just required more help from others than others had time for (I needed reliable distractions for practice, and it's not always easy to find that middday =))

[Debbie and Thomas]

What type of recal commands do you use? In our puppy clas, we are working on "come" but it takes a long time and I would not trust him to "come"yet. He goes off leash with the dogwalker in an off leash dog park, twice a week and sticks to the pack like glue. He really listens to Wayne who is the dog walker(our trainers husband) He is also a dog trainer and seems to have that magical touch. I guess it's just like children, they behave well for others but can get out of hand with their own parents when they are young. My GD, Thomas will be 5 months old tomorrow. I would love to hear any advice re the recall commands that you use.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

I am so happy to be reading this information Wilson was playing with a lab this afternoon and the male owner of the lab was telling me I have to be more dominate towards Wilson, he Wilson didnt listen to me when I asked him to come, he was busy chasing his friend, then I had to laugh as my friend was calling his lab, and she wasn't listening to him either, We practice at home and wilson comes he knows heel, sit and stay, I just don't want to change my big guy's person buy showing who is the boss by rolling him over and saying I am the alpha, I really don't think he needs that at this time Wilson is 8 l/2 months old. He does heel when I say heel, When we are playing with little pups and one gets away he does like to follow so I do know I have to work hard on his listening to me.
We have puppy class tomorrow I am going to ask the trainer, for advice. and any I get here I would appreciate, also today he ate Abby's poop it was disgusting that was the very first time he ever did that.

[Adina P]

I agree! Coming when called has nothing to do with dominance or being 'the boss' and it has EVERYTHING to do with training and regular practice.