On or off lead?

Question

Hi again, wanted to canvass opinions. I walk my 4 month old pup in our local park on an extendable lead. I do sometimes let him off to play with other pupps,,but always put him back on as he does not yet come back when called. Seems a shame to restrict him though, do people think it's worth risking him running away, well away from the road, for a good run or should I keep him on his lead until I'm sure he'll come back? I'm getting pressure from other dog owners to let him off his lead and am wondering if I'm being over protective? Thanks

Answer 1

You're being a good puppy parent. If you're dog isn't fully trained in the come command what would happen if he were to run off into the road, or didn't stop when an owner asked you to keep the dog away because theirs is aggressive, or just plain ran off chasing something?

Keep him on the lead (NOT RETRACTABLE - they are dangerous if the dog gets caught in the rope). If you want him to play then think about getting a 15' - 30' lead and take him to the park (if not fully enclosed) w/ that. You can also use that lead to teach him to come.

Teaching come: While on the long leash let him walk around get very distracted. Once he's not paying attention to you call his name to get his attention then tell him to come. When you say come give the lead a good hard tug. Encourage him to come by squatting down w/ your arms wide, talk to him in a baby voice and lots of verbal praise. When he gets to you stand up and tell him sit. When the command is over is when you give him the treat. Don't just give him a treat though, play with him, pet him, give him verbal praise. Make it WONDERFUL experience for your dog to come to you.

Come = food, play, pets and love. He'll learn come in no time and you'll be able to take him off the leash!

Good Luck

Answer 2

I think you should keep him on a lead for a while longer, he is still very young and still testing your limits, so just let him out in the garden where he can't run off too far and give him a treat when he comes to you. Then when you feel comfortable (and only then, don't be pressured because this is your little puppy) take him out and try the calling him back and give him a treat and then let him off, but keep the treats. You know your dog better than anyone so don't be pressured into anything :-)

Answer 3

Hi there, 16 weeks old is very young to worry too much about letting him off the lead, an extendable lead is enough for now, take treats out with you and begin to do recalls with him on the lead, and when he comes back every time without fail (treat and plenty of praise when he returns) then is the time to trust him off lead and not before, it's not worth the risk.

Answer 4

I for one don't think you're veing over-protective. There's too many unexpected things that could happen where you need to recall your dog and he needs to obey.

However, this is the perfect age to train him for recall. He's actually a bit old for when I like to do it. A very young puppy is very dependent on you, always following you, doesn't like you to get too far away.

Don't try to train him at the dog park though, you need to start off somewhere with no or few distractions. Put him on a very long, light-weight nylon rope. Let him wander, then call him always using a very happy, up-beat voice. If he comes, lots of praise and a treat. If he doesn't respond right away, give him a light tug to get him started, and call again. Give as many little tugs as he needs - when he gets to you, again lots of praise and treats.

This obviously takes a while to learn so he's consistent. Your puppy's at the age now where's he's starting to be more independent and a little more willful - kind of like a teenanger, he's testing his limits. Be consistent, patient, keep lessons short and fun, increasing distractions gradually. Never, ever call him if you're going to discipline him - go to him - coming to you has to be a good experience for him every time.

Don't rush this - coming reliably when called could save his life one day. Let him off leash at the dog park when you're confident he'll come and you're comfortable with letting him off. He's your dog, not someone else's.

Answer 5

Your not being over protective your being responsible - do those people realise how much hurt a lost dog can cause you?
Keep working on training your pup to come back to you - use lots of smelly treats and encourage them to chase you rather than the other way around and you will soon be able ot let him off to play safe in the knowledge he will come back to you

Answer 6

Agree with others about keeping your dog on leash. Doubly agree with training your dog.

Be careful at dog parks, they are not one of the best places for dog socialization. You have no idea what types of diseases the other dogs might have. More importantly, you don't know what type of behavior issues the other dogs might have. Many of these folks have absolutely no control over their dogs.

You also have to consider the area that you have your dog in. If the area is open, I don't care how well trained your dog is, you have the potential of your dog taking off and being injured or killed. It's not worth the risk.

Answer 7

If he doesn't respond to the "come!" command when you call him, then he shouldn't be off lead. You're being totally responsible by leaving him on lead.

Also, are there leash laws where you live? Those take precedence over any moron that tells you to take your dog off leash. Or are you referring to a dog-park where off-leash play is allowed? If the area's fenced, then let him play....

Answer 8

Hello! This is a good question and difficult to answer. I personally love to have my dogs off lead, but it is always a risk, especially if you are near any busy roads. Your pup is at an impressionable age and you'll have to be careful as to how much freedom you allow him. I would recommend working with him on a daily basis on coming when called on the lead at first.
A great way to do this is to keep a pocket full of yummy treats. Each time your pup comes to you, even if you didn't call him, praise him and give him a treat. Soon he'll see you as a wonderful "place to be".
When you call him, if he comes even one step towards you, praise him! "Good Boy!" If he turns away from you, correct him. A tug on the leash and a sharp "AT!" will do the trick. Again, as he turns towards you, praise him. When he gets to you, give him a treat and lots of love!
Another good thing to keep with you is a tiny squeak toy. Play with him when he comes to you, then put it back into your pocket. Give him a "release" command, such as "OK", "go ahead" or "go play". This lets him know that he is allowed to move away from you, perhaps to play with another dog or to sniff around.
When you get to the point that you feel confident that he will come back to you, start working with him off lead. Keep in mind that it will be very important for him to come back to you when he's off lead, so have your toys and treats ready. Let him know you have them too.
As he gets better at coming when called you'll be able to give treats less often. Replacing them with lots of praise and attention. Don't be afraid to get down to his level too. Playing with a pup down at ground level is especially fun for them! Also, backing away from them as you call them to come encourages them to follow you!
Don't let anyone tell you when to let your pup off lead. Only you know when he's ready. It's your pup and you who will suffer the consiquences if you do it too soon and he gets hurt or killed because of it. The trick is being very consistent and "reading" your pups body language. Stopping him Before he rus off makes all the difference in the world!
Also keep in mind that he is coming up on his "teens" around 6-8 months old. This is a time when most pups start to test their boundries and their place in the pack. He may "forget" all the training you've been doing! Don't worry too much, it's normal, but don't let him get away with it either! Go back to the basics any time you feel he needs it.
Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 9

you're not being overprotective I would never let my dogs run lose in a park and my dogs obey very well. You may want to look into finding a local dog park that is completely fenced in and you are supposed to let them loose and it also socalizes your dog. I'd tell those other dog owners that you love your dog and do not want to risk anything happening to him/her and what you do with your dog is none of their concern, considering that you treat your dog good, and he's well taken care of.

Answer 10

While he's on his extendable lead, call him and reel him in. Give him a doggie treat every time you call and reel him in. He'll soon get used to the idea that you treat him every time you call him he'll get a treat. Then you can let him have a good time off the lead. It worked for me.