when should i let dog off lead?

Question

my border collie is 4 months now, i take him out 2/3 times a day. during the day time i keep him on lead and just take him for long walk, but later in the evening when there is barely any activity going on i let him off lead so he can have a really good run around in local field, (not play ground) so far he has come back to me when called with no problems, i would like to start doing this in daytime also, but i am a bit worried that as there is more going on in day he will get too exited and run after people or dogs and not come back (he loves everyone and everything), do you think he is too young for this or should i trust him. he is generally very well behaved for such a young dog. any tips from anyone.

Answer 1

I have several Border Collies and they all get exercised off lead everyday.

I take them somewhere safe (and Yes I pick up after them) and they have a really good time running and playing.

BUT they all are trained to come back to me when I call them.

I practised this with them when they were puppies and I practised over and over again. It is important to train them to come back when there are no distractions and then build up the training to where there are a few distractions and build up on that until they will come back every time no matter what else is going on.

It doesn't matter how old he is - what is important is how reliable he is and this can only be achieved by training him.

No matter how well-trained a dog is they are never 100% reliable so you always have to be careful. I put my dogs on the lead if there are children about or livestock and obviously they are on lead near traffic.

You could always try taking him to a dog class. The good ones teach you how to get your dog to come back when someone else is making a fuss of them or when they are playing with another dog. Old fashioned classes get you to make your dog sit and then call him to you which is useless when you are out with them in the real world.

Answer 2

When he is off the lead and you call him back, be happy, and exciting.
TAKE TREATS out with you let him know you have these treats. Then when you call him back, give him one. This way he knows coming back to you = good thing :)
Do this in the afternoon at first. Best time for him to learn if he is already coming back when you ask.
Try your hardest not to keep calling him. This may confuse him. Call his name once, and wait, call his name a second time, and wait. If he is still playing, walk up to him and when you are about 5 yards, call his name again - do not shout. If he does not come, NO TREAT, and back on the lead.
You can also try “stay” get him to sit, walk away, turn round and face him, then call. Do this while things are going on around you. If he waits and comes when called give him a treat. It only needs to be small, but he will love you for it.
If you need any more help, let me know. I'm going to start dog training next year. I've been reading lots so far, and been going to puppy classes.
One more thing - don’t chase him, he will think its a game!!!!!! :)

Good luck.

Answer 3

my collie is now 6 months old and sounds much the same as yours. he has been allowed off his lead since he was about three months and generally comes back but you are right to think that with more going on around he will be more distracted and will probably run away a bit but its natural for him to explore. If you are a bit worried then perhaps buy one of those extendable leads that will give him a bit more freedom whilst keeping him under control, eventually you will probably find that he will only go as far away from you as the lead will allow even if he's not on the lead. It's simply time and patience that is required. Good Luck!

Answer 4

A big wide space is the best for a dog to get used being off the lead and especially when they are puppies, i was very concerned about it but my dad was with me and he has been a dog trainer for many year, bacically he just let him off the lead, yes he ran a bit but not too far and kept running back to us i think especially when the are puppies they are more worried of whats out in this world as mostly if the spent alot of their time at home with the famiely.

Anyways, GoodLuck

Answer 5

I wouldn't trust him yet, he is too young. wait until he is older and knows all of his commands and will return to you 100% of the time even around all kinds of distractions.
during the day why don't you try an extra long lead. we bought one at our local pet store, it is 30 ft and not a retractable one either. it is called a training lead. I would walk our dog to the field on his normal lead then switch over to the training lead to play fetch and stuff. it gave ours the opportunity to run but at the same time gave me the security that I had him on lead if he would break away from commands. i worked him like this for 3 months teaching him to come on command...slowly I shot the ball farther and farther letting the lead go but it was still attached to him. after he began to come every time (and I mean every time) then I took him back to his regular lead throwing the ball until about 1 month ago I took him all the way off. he just turned 1 yr. now he is old enough and knows ALL of his commands and does them consistently. until there is consistency don't take the chance. good luck with your pup, border collies are quite intelligent so you won't have too much trouble training him!

Answer 6

Contrary to what obedience trainers will tell you (not sure why!), the earlier you let your puppy off the lead the easier it will be to train him reliably on the recall. This is because young puppies will naturally follow you around and only go so far away from you.
Your pup is a still young enough to want to stay close by to you so I recommend letting him off for brief periods during the day when it is still quiet and gradually increasing the length of time and the business of the environment as you gain your confidence in your puppy.
Remember to keep rewarding him for his obedience and to take toys to play with him so that he knows that you are the most interesting person around anyway.
Sounds like a lovely puppy - have lots of fun!

Answer 7

It's illegal to let your dog off the lead in public places in the UK and a Border Collie, however well trained, may well not return and start to round up children, other dogs, or cars... I own an old BC and I can assure you, though she obeys me... she'll look for an out if I once take my eye of the ball..

If she bites someone, even accidentally, because she gets into a dog fight, you are liable for prosecution.

And clean up after her with doggy bags as well. You should always carry these, it's hygienic and there is a possible £1,000 fine if you don't!

There is no such thing as a bad dog... only a bad owner, never forget this as a responsible owner:-)

Answer 8

i belive that the best way to train a dog is reward based,you could try calling his name around the house and when he responds give him the treat.eventually you take this outside and carry on the rewards your dog will soon realise that when he runs off and you call his name he will no there will be a tasty treat.Alot of people make the mistake by putting the lead on there dog straight away after there dog has run off and thats why the dog ignores there owner. when your dog has the hang of coming back to you during the day with all the excitement around him you can stop the treats and then give him lots of praise for coming back to you.

Answer 9

training should start at 8 weeks old when they are still insecure. Try letting him off the lead during the day and if he hesitates in returning to your call, start running away from his fast after calling him. As soon as he chases after you, allow him to catch up and reward him. I have never had a dog not return immediately I call but I never expect them to do anything BUT come since training here starts early. The only one of the sdogs who deasn't come back is a rescued 8 year old yorkie who wants to come back but is clearly terrified. When I call her she she gets so close, she grovels and piddles herself and trambles when I pick her up. Obviously owned by a silly person who punished her when she eventually returned and as a result she though it was for returning. We are working on this and making some progress into undoing the harm which has been done.
It is one of the few things I absolutely insist on. I expect immediate recall when I call and I expect immediate obedience to the command "leave it". Otherwise I'm a pretty easy going owner.
Contrary to what someone has said here, it is NOT illegal to have your dog off the lead in a public place at all. The law says that it should have a collar and ID and should be under your control. If you can reliably recall your dog, that is being under control. All dogs NEED to have some off the lead hard running every day. They need it for general fitness and stamina. Just because humans think it is a terrible thing to exert themselves and are happy to have backsides the size of a small outhouse, it doesn't mean that everyone thinks like this.
Border collies are not all poorly trained with a strong herding instinct. I have had many collies and only last night took in another rescue one.They are a very good breedn to won if you can give them the running they need.
If you could get yourself a long line , extra long flexi lead or length of washing line, practice your recalls in public while he is attached to this and you will always be able to pull him to encourage him to do what is expceted of him if you don't feel confident. I would reinforce the recall training at home, call him to you several times a day and just pat him and praise him, then with a long line, do the same in the park and again praise and reward. The minute he hesitates, call him, and start running away.At 4 months he will not be confident on his own and will come haring after you. This is when you cannot be too lavish in your praise. Go nuts and act like you haven't seen him for a week. Have a quick game, and then relax and send him off again. After 5 minutes, call him again and repeat as necessary. Once it is ingrained, he will no more think of NOT coming back than flying to the moon.
Well done you for wanting to do the right thing by training AND by allowing this beautiful breed to gallop like the wind and maintain the sleek working lines they were bred for.
No fat gasping starey coated dog in YOUR home I bet :-)
P.S. to whomever said that a 4 months old border collie is becoming adolescent. You are wrong. 12 months at least is when I expect adolescence in my border collies. By this time however, training will have been such a huge part of their daily life that adolescent or not, they still come immediately they are called.

Answer 10

i always let my dogs off lead in the local Fields since they were puppy's as young as 12weeks,my dogs never ran off as at this age they are still very clingy and dont like to leave your side.ever since then Ive never had a problem with recall i always made sure i was the most important person to them down the Field by being over the top excited when they returned giving them treats and giving them a big cuddle.my 10month old puppy loves his run and playing with his doggie m8s but as soon as i call him he's back with me.i dont think your puppy is to young to let off during the day as they get older it becomes more difficult to train recall and when your pup reaches adolence at about 6/7months he might not respond much at all and might think other dogs are more interesting then you.if your pup doesn't return when you call him dont get angry he will then learn to be scared of returning,just turn around say bye in a loud voice and walk the opposite direction that worked for me during my dogs adolence.good luck