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. An off-leash dog should ideally come when called, no matter the distraction. Your dog might just want to play, but it’s equally natural for dogs to be selective, wary, and uncomfortable when approached by strange dogs. Evaluate your pet’s temperament and level of training to determine when and how it is appropriate to let them off-leash. Permitting your dog off-leash can increase that your dog could escape, become spooked, startled, or distracted, or get injured or lost. Using a long-line leash is an alternative to letting your dog off-leash, allowing your dog to have an off-leash experience while also giving you an extra bit of safety in case your pet acts unexpectedly. Take as much time with your dog on foundation skills like recall, and you may decide playing off-leash outside of fenced areas isn’t the right choice for your dog, and there are plenty of ways to provide your pet with freedom and enrichment with a leash attached.