Off Lead

[Tysons mum]

Hi everyone,

I'm just wanting some advice please on off the lead walks, the training is probably more so for me than Tyson (now 16 months).

We used to go on walks all over when he was smaller and let him off lead and he was fine, never used to go very far and was ok with other dogs.

As he has got bigger I started to notice more and more other peoples reactions to this 'big scary dog' coming towards them and started putting him back on lead. On a couple of occasions when we were on the local field he ran off twds people with other dogs just to play and wouldn't come back when called.

Since then I am now scared/nervous to let him off the lead at all, so whenever I take him out he is always on the lead. The thing is he goes out with a dog walker a couple times a week when me and my husband are at work and he's always off lead with him and fine with the other dogs playing/having lots of fun.

What is the best way for me to address this issue and build up MY confidence and start letting him off the lead again.

Any suggestions will be muchly appreciated.

Many thanks

[Bonniesmummy]

Could you maybe arrange with the dog walker to go out with him sometime when you are free, just for an hour? It may help to see the way he is with Tyson and show you that he is just fine off lead..... it just means you have that 'back up' knowing he is there! ....Just a thought

[wildmoor]

Initialy take your dog out on a long line, make sure he is hungry and take toys & food on walks with you
When his recall is consitent on the long line take him somewhere quiet let him off lead after a few mins recall treat put lead on walk a few paces then release again and keep repeating he then wont associated the recall or putting a lead on with the end of the walk - do this for a few weeks without distractions before attempting with other dogs around - dont call him if his nose is on the ground on a scent otherwise you will be setting him up to fail
This is why my dogs dont get their last feed until i am ready to retire to bed, their morning feed again is after a walk so during week 8am and 11pm at weekend 10am and 11pm

[nisbreagha]

not much moe to add as Wildmoor has said it all but if your confidence is low and your not sure what your doing in regards to trainig why not look for a local traing club to help you learn the basiscs and socialise your puppy.