I have a question on shelties off leash: Do you ever let your sheltie (puppy or full grown) off leash either at a park or in your un-fenced yard?? My neighbors are really giving me a hard time because I always have my new puppy on a leash when we are out, the breeder (who also shows her dogs) told me never to let a sheltie off leash...they can easly get hit by a car or attached by another dog...what to do? I've told these people mutliple times how i feel about it and they keep bringing it up every time I'm outside....we also have a leash law here!...and i do not want to loose "my precious" she means too much to me.
Off Leash
- Thread starter karol
- Start date
tofu pup
Moderator
geeze, I'm sorry to hear that your neighbors are giving you a hard time... she's your puppy, and you (not your neighbors) are the one who would be devastated if anything happened to her. What to do? - ignore those neighbors, go with your gut (and your breeder), and do what you know is best for you and your little dog.
There's a saying that "unleashed is unloved".
There's a saying that "unleashed is unloved".
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
Do what you know is best for you and your pup. Only you know your pup and what is best for her.
I'm able to let both of my girls off leash at the park. I made sure to have a reliable recall on both of them before allowing them off leash. If they would not come back to me or were car chasers I would keep them leashed. My parent's sheltie Milo I was never able to break of car chasing and rarely let off leash and NEVER even remotely near cars.
When I let my girls off leash I try to do so only when they're around dogs I know. If new dogs arrive at the park I leash them.
I'm able to let both of my girls off leash at the park. I made sure to have a reliable recall on both of them before allowing them off leash. If they would not come back to me or were car chasers I would keep them leashed. My parent's sheltie Milo I was never able to break of car chasing and rarely let off leash and NEVER even remotely near cars.
When I let my girls off leash I try to do so only when they're around dogs I know. If new dogs arrive at the park I leash them.
NEVER! My 16 month old Keely stays on leash when we are at park (Don't go to dog parks!) or when we go for walk. She is leash when we go visiting (until she is inside and comfortable with surroundings). She's on leash when in car (incase of accident). The only time I have her OFF LEASH is when I am with her in back yard (fenced in). She does not go out alone. She is never tethered. She is with me at all times. In the house of course off leash until someone comes until she calms down.
Don't listen to your neighbor. Obviously they don't own a Sheltie pup. And it shows you care and love your dog. IGNORE THEM! Do what your heart tells you!
Don't listen to your neighbor. Obviously they don't own a Sheltie pup. And it shows you care and love your dog. IGNORE THEM! Do what your heart tells you!
I do let Domino off leash at the park (unfenced) and in my unfenced yard but only if I am watching him closely. He does not chase anything and has a very good recall plus he prefers to spend most of his time following me around anyways. However, I think it is each owners choice....you know your dog best and therefore are in the best position to make the right choice for you and your pup. I do not think anyone else should be judging you or interfering whether you decide to let your dog off leash or not. It sounds like you are doing the right thing for the two of you so I wouldn't worry about your neighbours...it sounds like they are pushing their noses in where they don't belong.
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
Neighbors don't always know when to butt out and mind their own business. Only you know what's best for your dog.
I was running Milo around the block while I rode my bike, something he LOVES. This neighbor a block away started making rude comments at me about being cruel every time I rode past and even said he'd call the humane society on me. For what! I told him to mind his own business and when he kept it up I stopped and offered to give him my name and address if he wanted to call. That shut him up pretty quickly.
I was running Milo around the block while I rode my bike, something he LOVES. This neighbor a block away started making rude comments at me about being cruel every time I rode past and even said he'd call the humane society on me. For what! I told him to mind his own business and when he kept it up I stopped and offered to give him my name and address if he wanted to call. That shut him up pretty quickly.
I think it boils down to trust, training and location.
My 6 month old pup is a saint when he's around me, he acts more like an adult dog than a puppy. But when we are out for a walk and see a person or dog his attitude changes. He just wants to play and he'll dart around, and completely disregards everything in the process. He won't listen, or be scared of something he should be scared of (lawn mower, car, ect).
It's a good thing I have him on leash at those times or I know by now he would've been hit by a car long before I could have done anything to save him.
Though I will say it's a bit frustrating untying myself from the trees, mailbox's, signs that he will frequently spin around.
My 6 month old pup is a saint when he's around me, he acts more like an adult dog than a puppy. But when we are out for a walk and see a person or dog his attitude changes. He just wants to play and he'll dart around, and completely disregards everything in the process. He won't listen, or be scared of something he should be scared of (lawn mower, car, ect).
It's a good thing I have him on leash at those times or I know by now he would've been hit by a car long before I could have done anything to save him.
Though I will say it's a bit frustrating untying myself from the trees, mailbox's, signs that he will frequently spin around.
take4roll10
Moderator
Ignore your neighbors. She is your dog.
Shelties have a high herding drive. They are known to chase cars, joggers, bikers, birds, small animals...etc. I would never EVER let my sheltie off leash, even if she had a 100% recall. You just never know if one day she is going to decide to catch that car. The only place my dog is allowed off leash is in my fenced backyard or in the neighborhood fenced in dog park. Our dog park is very small, so she's not going anywhere.
Shelties have a high herding drive. They are known to chase cars, joggers, bikers, birds, small animals...etc. I would never EVER let my sheltie off leash, even if she had a 100% recall. You just never know if one day she is going to decide to catch that car. The only place my dog is allowed off leash is in my fenced backyard or in the neighborhood fenced in dog park. Our dog park is very small, so she's not going anywhere.
exactly. I have one that has such a strong herding drive that he will take off and wont even hear your voice. So a recall is useless on him....although hes 10 now so I can probably catch him
but im not up for that neighborhood jog. But honestly none of mine are NEVER off leash unless its in a fenced in secure area, which is pretty much only my yard. And while the rest of mine listen I dont trust for a minute that they may see something that strikes them as needing herding and they are off running...
But I understand how neighbors can be a pain but I'd ignore them. Heck my brother is the same way he yells at me every time I bring my dogs to his house..I only walk them on a leash or out in an ex-pen or on his fenced in deck..He yells at me all the time..jeez just let them go out they're fine...blah blah blah....
but im not up for that neighborhood jog. But honestly none of mine are NEVER off leash unless its in a fenced in secure area, which is pretty much only my yard. And while the rest of mine listen I dont trust for a minute that they may see something that strikes them as needing herding and they are off running...But I understand how neighbors can be a pain but I'd ignore them. Heck my brother is the same way he yells at me every time I bring my dogs to his house..I only walk them on a leash or out in an ex-pen or on his fenced in deck..He yells at me all the time..jeez just let them go out they're fine...blah blah blah....
labgirl
Forums Sage
I voted off leash in the park (or in another open space). I do like having my dog off lead, but I would always make sure the area was safe and that I trusted my dogs.
I'm afraid people will bully you about how you raise your pup. When I first had Cadbury I was given the same treatment and made to feel very guilty about my caution.
Now I'm a little more used to dogs I can see the benefit of letting a pup off lead in a safe area to practice recalls, heelwork, etc.
My favourite place to take Cadbury is the fields by the sheep, firstly because my uncle owns the land so its private and secondly because Cadbury can run around without me worrying.
But I would never, ever have my dog off lead by roads.
I'm afraid people will bully you about how you raise your pup. When I first had Cadbury I was given the same treatment and made to feel very guilty about my caution.
Now I'm a little more used to dogs I can see the benefit of letting a pup off lead in a safe area to practice recalls, heelwork, etc.
My favourite place to take Cadbury is the fields by the sheep, firstly because my uncle owns the land so its private and secondly because Cadbury can run around without me worrying.
But I would never, ever have my dog off lead by roads.