Will I ever be able to let my dog off leash?

Letting your puppy off the lead to go and explore the smells and sights on a walk is an exciting experience for both of you. You may find your puppy runs around completely uninhibited whilst exploring his newfound freedom or he may be more reserved, nervous and in need of some reassurance. Begin On The Lead, your dog will be distracted by all sorts of strange scents and noises, as well as other dogs and people. Once you feel confident with the way your dog is responding to your commands on the lead, it is time to let him off. Choose a quiet place and run through the commands once more. Every time your dog comes back reward him with plenty of praise, fuss and a treat so that he wants to return next time. Stay in regular contact with him by calling him back and praising him with treats, verbal praise and touch. Your dog may run off a few times during this process, but it is important that you do not run after him, as he’ll think that you are playing a game. After the initial burst of energy he is likely to return.

Most dogs enjoy the chance to play freely. But before you take your dog off their leash, you must consider the location, situation, and your dog as an individual. Evaluate your pet’s temperament and level of training to determine when and how it is appropriate to let them off-leash. An off-leash dog should ideally come when called, no matter the distraction. Start with teaching your dog to come in an area of low distraction. Once your dog understands the recall cue at home, slowly build up to practicing this cue in more distracting environments while your dog is still on-leash. You may decide playing off-leash outside of fenced areas isn’t the right choice for your dog, there are plenty of ways to provide your pet with freedom and enrichment with a leash attached. Places that you can allow your dog to be off-leash include a securely-fenced yard, public parks, beaches, or other areas where it’s clearly posted that dogs are allowed to be off-leash, fenced dog parks. Using a Long Line is an alternative to letting your dog off-leash, long lines can range in length from 10 to 50 feet, these leashes allow your dog to have an off-leash experience while also giving you an extra bit of safety in case your pet acts unexpectedly.

Not all owners are able to let their dog off the lead. Their dog is worried about people or other dogs, Their dog has a strong prey drive, Their dog may not have a reliable recall, Their dog must be kept on a lead in public for legal reasons. If you cannot let your dog off the lead for any reason, you may feel disappointed or frustrated. But, with the right approach, on lead walks can be just as fun for both you and your dog. Adjusting to life on a lead, If your dog was previously allowed off lead, remember that they may need some time to adjust to their new lifestyle. It’s perfectly normal for dogs to become frustrated at first.

You should only ever let your dog off leash in open areas away from roads and busy public places. It’s good etiquette to remain respectful of other people and letting your dog off lead shouldn’t concern or bother others. There is no blanket rule on where you can let your dog off lead but some areas have a series of orders which you must follow. These are usually signed telling owners that dogs must be kept on lead at all times, or no dogs are allowed in a specific area at all. You can find your local council website to see their PSPO dog control guidelines and can even provide a list of places where dogs are excluded. Basic training is important in establishing a base of good behaviour with your dog. You should never let your dog off lead in public if it’s not well trained and you’re unable to bring it under control with commands.