Off lead walkies

[star]

I'm just wondering, is there a 'right time' to start letting dogs off the lead? I took Kaiser to the beach the other day and really wanted to let him off for a run as he was trying so desperately to go nuts, especially with other dogs but I wasn't sure if I should or not. I've only had him 4 weeks tomorrow and whilst he already idolises me I'm not sure if he would come when called, he also has an interest in seagulls so I can see him running into the sea and getting stuck. I'm also really worried that if I let him off the lead in a field he will run towards the exit, probably just new owner anxiety but I thought I would check to see what peoples' opinions are

[nisbreagha]

I let mine of as soon as I get them. I take them out to safe places I know and know if we meet other dogs they are immunised and let them off, they usually follow me or the rest of my pack if I've got other dogs. Have treats with you to start off and make sure they get one every time they return to you so they associate nice things with coming back to you.

[super D]

Mine go off lead from the second shot. as soon as they are ok to go out they are off lead.
Usually a young puppy won't stray far xxx

[star]

Thanks guys I'll take him to a field tomorrow and let him off the lead and take plenty of treats

[Stuart]

Its also the real way to perfect your re-call,... if you can get that as perfect as you can, then it will reasure you later on

Re-call helps you, photos help us....lol

[Broxi Bear]

You could also try using a long line? Cooper was on this when we first took him to the beach, like you we had the same worries, however, after we had seen that he did not go far even on the line we decided to give it a go and he was great. Just make sure you have lots of treats and lots of praise when he comes back, what I will say though, is that, we have now gone back to using the long line, as he has reached the age where by he will not come all the way back when he is off the lead (he still won't go that far), and if he see's another dog he will run up to it wanting to play. So, we decided to go back to using the long line to work on his recall.

[star]

I'll see what he is like later then
A few pics as well of the monster

[Moobli]

I think it depends really.

If I have a pup then it goes off lead immediately, as they are still insecure at that age and will follow you everywhere It is the ideal time to put in the foundations for a good recall at an older age.

If I have a rescue or rehomed dog then I will see how quickly it takes me to bond with that dog. I rehomed a part trained working collie a few years ago and I let him off lead the same day as I just "knew" he would recall - and he did. However, I kept Zak (who I got at 8 months) on the lead for the first few walks as I didn't feel confident he was completely bonded to me - however, up here where we live I had him off lead immediately in the surrounding fields etc.

Good luck letting Kaiser off. Lovely pics, he is a smasher.

[LOVEGSD]

I think off lead is important tbh....just make sure it's a safe area and practice recall.

[star]

Took him to a park earlier and let him off. He was fine a little reluctant to give me his toy back though but he had a good run, stayed quite close to me and had fun with other dogs, he wouldn't exactly come to me when called but he would stop and watch me then once I started to walk in the other direction he would bomb it over to me. Once he had tired himself out he stuck very close though and was happy to be back on his lead it seemed. Quite excited for future walkies now