Letting your dog off-leash is an exciting experience. It gives your pup a lot of freedom, and when executed well, it builds trust between you. However, an off-leash romp can quickly go downhill if your dog refuses to listen to you, eats something they shouldn’t, takes off after a squirrel, or runs up to another person or dog. There are a few key rules always to follow when allowing your dog to go off-leash.

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  1. Have a strong recall. Recall is how you get your dog back to you when they’re off-leash. When a dog’s recall is strong, they will immediately come when you call them, ignoring whatever they were just focused on and passing by any other distractions in favor of returning to your side. It takes a long time to build up your pup’s recall skill, but it is so worth it to know that you have control over your dog even from afar. Put in the time and effort to train your dog to have an air-tight recall.
  2. Always bring a leash. Even if you plan to take a fully off-leash walk in the park or around your neighborhood, you should never leave home without a leash. You cannot control your surroundings, and though your pup is usually well-behaved, some new excitement or distraction may show up that breaks their focus and weakens their recall. You need to be prepared to regain full control over your dog with the leash if you need to.
  3. Set your dog up for success. In all aspects of training, you want to set your dog up to succeed at whatever you’re asking them to do–this means working within their limits and letting them set the pace for progression. For example, when working on their recall, you should begin in an empty room with few distractions. They will be able to focus on you without having their attention drawn elsewhere, so it’s more likely they will respond to your command and receive the reward. Only give them a command when you’re sure they will be able to follow through; if you’re in a situation where you feel your dog could get distracted and run off when off-leash, it’s best to keep them attached to the lead and work on recall a bit more in a safer, less distracting environment.
  4. A pocketful of treats is a must. Be sure to have some very high-value treats when you are going on an off-leash walk to ensure that your dog will want to choose to return to you over whatever distraction they find. Bits of chicken or cut-up hot dogs are a great option, or maybe some peanut butter balls. You could even decide to exclusively use this high-value treat for recall so that your dog looks forward to recall training because they know they’ll receive their favorite food and be even more willing to come back to your side.
  5. Respect others’ privacy and space. Never allow your dog to approach others without their permission first. If you are not confident that you can call your dog back to your side after they spot a runner, baby stroller, or another dog, then you should not walk your dog off-leash in public. Not only is it disrespectful, but it can also be dangerous if the dog or person they run up to is frightened and defends themself.

Be sure if you will allow your dog off-leash that they are properly prepared and that you are not putting them in a situation they can’t handle. Proper training and obedience skills are vital to allowing your dog to roam without a leash. If you need help, call the experts at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training today.