Right time to walk without lead

Hi peeps

My first post...hoping to get plenty of info from this wonderful site and its users.

Sasha is my first dog, so I am a little wet behind the ears...

Roughly what age do you allow you dog off the lead for walks? She is around 14 weeks now and the only time I let her off the lead is in the evening walk when I let her run around a football pen where I walk her. I can close the gates in here and have peace of mind that she cant get out to the roads outside.

Whats putting me off at the moment is that she gets distracted easily when we are out by cars and other people passing so I wasnt sure whether I was being over protective with her or whether it was just too early to start this.

Thanks

Hi Finnelly. When you can recall her whenever you want, preferably even with distractions is what I've always gone with. But I've never had a really young pup!

Others who have will be along I'm sure...

Welcome by the way, and did you know pics of pups are compulsory on here!

[Tedsmum]

I believe my pup was about 14 weeks when we let him off first. It was at the beach where there was no prospect of cars. His recall was always very good right from the start so I wasn't worried about him coming back, just that he would get in trouble with other dogs as a puppy - which he did.
We started with a long line first though so that he could always be reeled in and when there were a lot of distractions and other dogs.
He was a bit of a target when he was a pup and was forever being rolled over by big dogs, so I wanted to know that if he ran from them, I could get him to come back to me.
Just go at a pace you are comfortable with it doesn't matter what age he is and long as you are both safe and happy. x

[RstuS]

Hi welcome.
When Bodie was ready for the big bad world after his injections, (about 10/11 weeks) he was offlead in our woods, only a short walk, and he stuck to me like glue, as long as their safe no probs.

[Stuart]

Welcome to the forum.
I dont have pups,.. but that doesnt matter,.. you are still going to get the recall perfect before she is allowed free,.. or at least good enough that you feel safe in allowing her off lead.

Take her to a place where you can put a long lead on her,...or as you mentioned a safe area,..yours sounds perfect if she cant get out,... just be aware of other people coming in and leaving the gate open,............. and start now,..the sooner the better,.. now is also a good time to choose how you are going to recall,..if its not too busy, or noisey, then your voice maybe enough, but it would also be better if you also used a dog whistle,.. not those silent ones,.. but one you can hear,..keep the same whistle and the dog will know its tone from miles away

.......you mentioned the traffic,..so I have to say here that, she should not be allowed off lead in the street,..there is nothing more dangerous,..even if you think you have perfect recall,..it only takes a back fire, or sirens,..etc, etc to spook your dog, and she is under a car before you have time to react,... we often see people walking the street with what you would think is the perfect dog walking besides them,... bad , very bad in my oppinion

let us know how you progress

[zetstaff]

Hello + welcome

My Boris is almost 2 1/2 now + I still can't let him off unless I know he can't run anywhere near a road

Work on your recall early on + it'll be worth the effort x

[Bonniesmummy]

Hi and welcome

Bonnie was rather hit and miss with recall so only got off in the wooded area next to me so that she didnt have any danger of running into dogs/people/CARS... we finally got a good recall around 7mths???? i think but Id stil say she isnt 100%

Thanks for all your replies, all of which have been very helpful.

I will work on recall with Sasha and make sure when I do take the plunge and let her off the lead...its in an enclosed area first.

There doesnt seem to be a rule of thumb for this so will go with my instincts.

Thanks again.

[LOVEGSD]

If the area is safe and secure I personally would have her off lead. Practice recall in the garden at first so she learns what 'come' means, ie something really great and you can build it from there.

oh and any pics??

[firesrye]

My pups are let of the lead on their first walk aged 8 weeks 2 days (yes before 2nd vaccination) i find it easier to teach reacall this early as everything is new and scarey so thay want to be with you, i play hide and seek games and run away from them then turn and crouch down and encrouge them to come to me giving lots of praise when they do, i have 5 gsds now all with 100% recall.