letting puppy off the lead

At what point did people let their puppy off the lead, i was waiting for an amazing recall, but think i might be waiting all my life, she's 98% in the house and 50% outside.

The trainer from my dog class said this is the best time to let puppies off the lead as they tend not to go far from the owner but im worried that she'll go up to an unfriendly dog on the lead and get attacked. She gets so excited to see other dogs and would probably not answer the recall summons.

The trainer said that off the lead play is a good training session to teach them how to play properly with other dogs.

What do you think? and how did you do it?

Im constantly working on the recall and its brill until something else catches her attention.

Jules

PS: She's 13 weeks old

Dusty came of age on Sunday to be able to walk in the big world and we took her to a large open space where there were a couple of other dog owners but it was very quiet. We were hesitant in letting her off the lead but did. Just kept recalling her every minute or so and rewarding her every time she came back and sat at my feet (sat almost every time). We went with my OH and he was under strict instructions that he would have to chase and catch her of she did run off, but she stayed within about 30 feet of us. I would recoment a large open quiet place (like a local football ground) for the first let off, then go to woods etc once she gets used to coming back on the recall. Good luck, it is quite scary.

Werent you scared that she'd go up to dogs she shouldnt. We've let her off once but it was late and wet so there were no other dogs and i was petrified. Think im just going to have to bite the bullett so to speak

Jules

We use a long lead unless we are in an enclosed area. This way she can roam but we can get her back if we need to.

We were scared but so was she, she stayed quite close and when we came close to other dogs we called her back and put her lead back on. Then we introduced her to the dog in a more controlled manner although she just seemed to submit, lie on her back. Not sure if she should do that but it seemed to work for us.

I let Bella off the lead yesterday morning in the park at 8 oclock in the morning I was wiv the other half, he went zooming off little sod, came back eventually lol she went off but didn't go very far and came back straight away as soon as I called her she sat by my feet and I gave her a treat everytime, bless her and I haven't really trained her off lead this was the first time and she was brill, bit the bullet I say lol hope this helps x

Same as J we use a long training lead with Rocky although we do have only place where we go that we can let him off and run free. With the training lead you do have the option of reeling him back if need be. Out local park is usually quite full and Rocky can get a bit stressed in certain situation, if he gets cornered for example he will still panick.

It just getting all about getting to know them really well, and knowing what to watch for, their body language:

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dogbodylanguage.html

Tash is not stressed at all by meeting other dogs. she absolutely loves her walks and other dogs. Its me, I used to have a rescue staffy who was a terror with other dogs, i kept her on a lead and if a dog approached she would go mad. I dont want Tash to go up to a dog like my old dog as ive heard if you can get a staffy through adolescence without having a bad experience with another dog, you will have a happy, well socialised staffy.

I just know she has no clue not to go up to dogs and wouldnt come back if she saw one.

will practice recall, take the other half when i want to let her off and use the long line

Another vote for using a long line but make sure you use it with a harness and not a collar.

With a long line she can have freedom but you're still in control and can stop things like running up to other dogs because that habit once started is very self rewarding and a hard one to break.

where and what is the best harness for a young pup then, got some for older dogs but none for pups

jules

I started letting Loki off the lead a few weeks ago. I started when it was completely empty, and he didn't really understand he was allowed to leave my side for like an entire week lol. Anyway, I took hotdogs with me and he very quickly learned that coming back to me means something tasty. When people and dogs were around, I'd put him on an extendable lead (this or a long line would be very useful) and let him do what he wanted, waited until he spotted the dog or person, and shouted him back. He seems to have a natural desire to come back, even in puppy classes he'd be very interested in the dogs, but if I walk away he'll be ready to dive at me. So I can't advise much about actually working on the recall, since Loki had a natural desire to come back, but I think all dogs do, just takes a bit of work. Don't let her off-lead when there are people and dogs around just yet though; do it when it's quiet at first, start off slow

Thanks Tara, that is sound advice and as said previously i have let her off once when it was quiet and she didn't stroll far at all. Will just have to start building it up over time

Thanks for all your advice
jules

I'm still really hesitant to let Jelly off because she doesn't have good recall (yet!) and she for example just ran off with 2 other dogs the other day, one I knew and she has played with and one not. I just don't like her going too far away.

I think it's depends on the dog mostly, but I really do think having amazing recall like you say, like 99% inside and outside, is best. Then you know in ALL situations you can get your dog back. I watched a 5 month old puppy get rolled by a car because its owner had him off lead on a busy road, he saw Jelly across the street and darted out, even AFTER the owner said No and tried to get control. Thank God the pup only got a few scrapes on his foot, but it could have been MUCH worse.

I don't see harm in keeping them on as long as it takes, so you're both safe and happy. Off lead in controlled areas or with a long line.

Tommy has gone off lead since day one and been brilliant but he follows his big sister around like her shadow I did use a long line at first and now occasionally just for peace of mind when we walk by the canal and stuff though even then I tend to give a little more leaway now, to let him know he's a big boy. Most important is that they know you have something nice in your pocket for when they do come back

I don't think I would let your dog off at 13 weeks unless you were in a safe, enclosed space. I too am a big fan of the long training line.

Of course I have a dog who has been slower to learn recall than anything else, but that's just my view.

Caley is 16 weeks and it took my 16 year old to be the first to let her off the lead, he had more faith in her than us. Now she is amazing, she comes back everytime when called, although we are armed with treats and very watchful when other dogs are around, we make sure she never runs up to them. She now has a group of doggy friends who are alot older than her and I am sure she learns how to behave off of them as she is very calm around them.

I also take her over the field at 6:30am and it is only us so I can throw the ball and we both run for it, I always lose lol