Letting Max off the lead

[steph_21]

I was going to take Max to a nearby field in my area, and let him off the lead, but my partner said to leave it till he is a bit older just encase he doesn't come back to me. What are all your thoughts on this? Should I let him off the lead or is he to young? Max is 5 months old.

[LavenderRott]

I agree with your partner.

[tilly]

unless you have taught your pup to come every time you call, you shouldn't let him run off leash anywhere he can run off and get lost.

[BullDaisymom]

I agree with your partner and the others here. Unless he has OB training and listens to you, don't let him off lead. Better be safe then sorry in the end. Won't be long and you will be able to do it.

[stella123]

When i let Ruby off her lead for the first time i went to a small feild andclosed the gate. If she wanted to run and not come when i called her, it didn't matter because there was no where for her to eascape to or get her self lost. Anyway I let her off, expecting her to be the kind of dog to run and never come back!! but she stayed within 2 metres of me the whole time, even when i walked ahead while she sniffed something she always came back to my side within 2 mins, so i would see if you could get a large enclosed area first and see how he reacts to his freedom. However, an open field with other dogs is a different story, i agree that he should be excellent with the recall command before atempting that.

[Barbara Ryan]

The first time I let my dog off lead we were in a very large enclosed area.He did come when I called but even with that I still would not let him off if it was not enclosed.Any thing could happen,rabbit,mouse who knows.I don't want to take that chance.I would rather be safe than forever sorry!

[miccmill]

I like the guidelines I've read here before and gotten from our trainer.

When your recall is perfect on a 6' lead, move to a 12' lead, then on to a 20' lead then on to a longer line.

When your recall is great on a long line, you're usually in Advanced Obedience class with plenty of off-lead work under distraction.

I think your dog will be older than 5 months when all that comes together.

[FeralAhriman]

I was read somewhere that Rotts aren't really the type of dogs that actually want to wander from you. This holds true to my rott-mix. I obey leashlaw, but when my Feral family and I go play ball we let him off his leash. He pretty much always follows me around and when he does wander off I yell my recall word (which is Navajo for "let's go" =D) and he usually comes running. When he does I start walking and he runs right after me. He's at about four months, now. When we've taken him to the mountains he's been great with keeping up with us. We have to get him used to doing it near other people now, but we're enrolling him in Obedience classes really soon.

In general, though, I think the advice others have given is really good. Especially with practicing recall on the various lead lengths. But I think your rott will probably want to stay near you.

[myst]

leave the leash on so you could get close enough if he takes a flyer.
nice way to train a puppy to come and have a good time sniffing.
you and your partner could also do "come" as a game back and forth to each of you. lots of treats and good puppy :)

[poohbearsmom]

Use a long line.

At 5 months of age, your pup is experiencing what is called the 'flight
stage'... this is the age of cutting apron strings, so to speak.

For example, your pup may have had a perfect recall yesterday, but today, he shows you the illustrious middle paw when you call him, and runs for the hills upon your approach to retrieve him. It's a fun game for pups, very frustrating for the owner, and can really send your training into a tail spin, because off lead, you cannot reinforce what you ask of him.

[maxyboy]

i taught my max from a young age to stay by my side off his lead so if he goes infront or attempts to run i told him to wait then he would slow down until he was by my side again, this helped when he was off his lead in fields, so worth a try...

[SABELLESMOM]

He's very young. And as Elisabeth mentioned, he may have had a perfect recall yesterday, and perhaps will again tomorrow. But today is up for grabs.

And dogs are situational learners. ie: if ALL their recalls have been 'on line' they don't always make the same connection 'off line.'

A long ago instructor told us when we felt the dog was ready to let them drag a long line. (practice) After several weeks, cut the long line in half. (again practice) After several weeks, cut the long line in half again, practice and continue until he there's about 1 foot left. Then let the dog drag that foot long lead a bit, before removing. If at any point the dog blows you off? Knot some line back on and stay there a few weeks, before continuing.

Sounds like a royal pain somewhere. But I've heard great success stories! (and there are some breeds who should NEVER...Greyhounds, Rhodesians, Huskies...ALL have a tendency to take off and be lost forever)

[Ilovemypuppy]

Here's a handout I give out to all those in obedience classes...
Trust- A Deadly Disease

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called "Trust".
You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!!

When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder, you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.

At home the house was "puppy-proofed". Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the living room to keep at least one part of the house puddle free. All windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "Close the door!"

Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes nine tenths of a second after it was opened and that it is really latched. "Don't let the dog out" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "No!")
You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.

And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it, your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.
Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?

At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.

And then one of your friends suggest obedience classes, and, after a time you even let him run loose from the car into the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And, remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that disproves the rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in.)

Years pass- it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. (He still gets in the garbage, but nobody is perfect!)

This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer.

He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping out doors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running... Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever- Your heart is broken at the sight of his still beautiful body.

The disease is trust. The final outcome, hit by a car.

Every morning my dog bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car.

Please do not risk your friend and your heart. Save the trust for things that do not matter.

Written by: Sharon Mathers

[BullDaisymom]

Awesome post...and soooo true.

[Canadianrotti]

When Raelin was a pup, I took her out on a nice secluded trail, and took her off leash. She is a confident dog, and has no toubles wandering away from me, and she did not take off, but she did find something very stinky to roll around in!!

I have taken her off leash a few times, but the other problem is that there are a lot of people out there that are not dog people. It is not fair to them to be approached by a strange dog, the public trail is there for all to enjoy! JMHO.

I have now found that it is safer for her, and easier for me if she stays on a lead. She still gets her exercise, we both have a good time, and I feel better knowing that she is safe.