off lead training

[Jader]

Hello All, new here to the forums

I was just looking for some input on training off lead. I will be starting a training session on Wednesday Febuary 15, My Bella is 7 months old and is super easy to train. I have had a rotti in the past ( for 12 years RIP Jader ) so I know a fair amount about them. My ? is ....is it wize to train off lead and is there a plus side to it...I would love to get her CD title one day....is off lead training a part of this title... Thanks in advance for any help. IF it is off any help I will be training her at DunnMillan K9 School In Mcgregor Ontario Canada. This is the best around my area Ive been told

Jader

[mrsgrubby]

I have always trained on leash first unless i was inside a building and could totally control them. If there are distractions present keep a leash on .

[Mick Trainer]

THere is no great leap between a dog that can work on lead and off lead itissimply the dog thatcan hold it's obedience off lead knows the commands more than the dog that cannot. To get to the point where the dog can work off lead you simply need to condition it so well that what equipment the dog is on is not relevant as it knows the commands simply by verbal command. Training off lead at the earlystages will simply place holes in the foundation of the commands you wish to teach as it wil very quickly teach the dog that he/she has a choice as to whether or not it does the command were as a truly well trained dog is conditioned to the point of hearing the command and does the action staight away as it has become a reactionary responce. The best analogy I can make in human terms is driving a car. When we first did it we needed to concentrate very hard but as we learned we no longer need to think of changing gears etc it has become a conditioned responce. This is the way a well trained dog reacts to it's commands. Taking to the dog off lead to early allows for the dog to learn that it can choose rather than it simply be conditioned that it must respond each time.

It is for this reason that a lot of people use fine lines etc when going off lead as they have incorrect set the foundation and are trying to fix holes in the dog's OB thatwould not have existed with a sound conditioning base.

In the end the best way for you to get the dog to an off lead level is to train it onlead till it responds to it's commands without question no matter distraction levels etc. Once this has been accoplished it is as easy as unclicking the lead to go to sound off lead OB.

Mick.