To leash or not to leash

[jamiegirl]

We seem to have a GD that has a different personality once the leash is off. We have her dragging her leash pretty much 90% of the time and she does okay with walks but the minute the leash is off she starts jumping and nipping us, well, me and getting into all kinds of trouble. It's like she knows it's much harder to "correct" her behavior if we can't catch her. She did well at an off leash dog park last week but at home she is normally with a leash on except when we play fetch. Obviously, doing away with playing fetch is out of the question as any DP would tell you of the energy we need to burn off.

Any suggestions?

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

The leash training is great for pups or dogs who jump at you and nip to make the corrections. You may want to try a shortened leash (they sell 2 or 3ft. leashes) for a while before taking them off completly if your using a 5 or 6ft. leash now. Also when the pup or dog goes to jump up on you and is coming from the front of you, try and pick up your knee into them. If they continue to jump turn away and ignore them, keep doing this till they stop.

[Adina P]

I would say leave it on if it is working. The reason for my suggestion is dogs who practice a behavior repeatedly are building a habit. So if keeping the leash on PREVENTS her from practicing a bad behavior...then as she matures and via training she may very well stop doing the behavior because she hasn't had a chance to practice it.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Hey-I KNOW exactly what you are saying-our GD is 7 1/2 mths old-leash is off most of the time now in the house. BUT-when he starts his "wild time" which is getting less and less thank god, I put him on a long leash that is tied to a door. As soon as he is put on this leash, he sighs and lies down.

[fergie11]

Of course a dog should calm down on a leash if they're smart. They know they'll rip their neck off if they get too wild. But, keep working on the off leash thing. Denise's idea of just turning away and ignoring them is a good one. This has worked for me. There's nothing like having well behaved dogs off leash walking with you. They have more fun and so do you and people are quite impressed.
I've successfully trained Fergie the down-at-a-distance thing now. I can tell her "down" wherever she is and she stops right there and lays down. It's a great thing. This way if a biker or runner is coming I can hold up my arm and say down and she stays right there, without running in front of the biker or runner to get to me. It takes time and patience but once you get it it's such a joy.

[jamiegirl]

Thanks for the support and information. I think we falter the most with consistency. For the most part, we do end up leaving the leash on because it does prevent her from acting up. Our challenge is when we have to take it off for fetch (I know having it on then could be a hazard). We have the cycle: she has a lot of energy that's why we have to do fetch, we take her off the leash and that energy gets directed at us, we put the leash back on because of her behavior and there goes fetch and the release of energy. I know that it also doesn't help when we have our own frustrated energy after giving this a try and ending up with bruised thighs instead of a calm puppy.

We will keep at it, though. At least she does this more with me than she does with the kids - they weigh less than her. = /

[Reid R Fogler]

How old is your dog?
My guess is she is still young and she is excited when she is jumping up and niping.
What ever she is excited for or wanting to do you should let her do once she has sat and waited for you to release her.

I have a 45 pound Labradoodle. She is almost two and ahe goes to work with me off leash 3 to 5 days a week. She has gotten better and better over the last year and a half, but I keep chalanging her. She will be two in June.
First have her sit. Then let her off leash.
Once she learns that she has to sit before she can have her off leash fun she will sit to go off leash.
Then have her sit and take the leash off. While she is still sitting have her stay. Walk in front of her and making sure she stays. Then come back and verbaly release her to play off leash.
For her to be happy and safe as a great off leash dog she needs to sit when told, stay, and come when told. My guess is she is still young and you need to just keep playing/working with her. If you continue to work with her over time you will probably get her to stay until you release her even if a bird or squirl or rabbit or kid or dog is temptting her. Just contiue to chalenge her and make it a game. Over time she will get it and you will have fun testing her.

A great book is Family Dog by Richard Wolters, also Water Dog and Gun Dog.

Good luck,

Reid

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Keep the leash on for at least a year. More if necessary. It will pay off, big time. you could switch to a lead made froma hardware store leash hook and a few feet of lightweight nylon cord. Make three of them and you will have one on, one in the wash and a spare. The lightweight leash soon becomes a part of them and when you take it off at a year or so they won't notice.