shelties with no leashes

R

ruckusluvr

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Does anyone here allow their shelties off leash? I would love to be able to let my dogs off leash when we go hiking in the woods, out in the big open fields around the house, and when we go to the creek! What do you think of letting dogs run with no leashes?

All of these places are out in the country with VERY little traffic. of course i would work on a very solid recall.

if anyone has any tips on getting a solid recall please share! I want to be able to call them off of a squirrel chase if necessary
 
I would be interested also in hearing responses also.Even though,I have gone about training Trapp my way for recalls. I have never had Trapp off leash in public.But with two acres,he comes to me 100% of the time. But I am very interested also.
 
I wouldn't want a dog that I can't let off-leash... one of the reasons I didn't end up rescuing from the greyhound rescue, lol

Personally I have always let my dog off leash, aka go to the car, on the driveway without it, he can go quick pee without leash, etc.. at night I always walk him without leash in my neighborhood (side streets)... I had trained him lots of times without a leash on, so he kinda doesn't know the difference that he HAS to listen more with a leash or without one, if that makes sense?

I use positive enforcement, I worked on the recall from when he was little... always call him and and RUN, run, run the other way, always make him chase me and ensure I am way more fun than anything or anybody else.

Also right from the beginning that he is NOT to go off the sidewalk, ever, unless I say okay, including if there is another dog across the street barking at him... For example I say wait, everytime I cross a street, etc... when he was smaller and tried to walk off the sidewalk I'd be NO.. and run the other way, teaching him that NEVER go off the sidewalk, but to recognize it as a 'border'

OF COURSE I watch like a hawk, and if I see anything at all I use the command leash on.. which means come close to get your leash put on (always gets treats for that to ensure it's positive for him and it's not a trick) "Come" only use for no nonsense and when I know he IS coming followed by a sit in front of me... 'Come' is NEVER used for making him do something he hates.. like brushing or having his ears cleaned...

Now, even when he knows a person across the street and he is all wiggly and eager, he waits for me to say OK, 'Hussle' (means ok to cross the street, just NO dawdling no smelling)

I am NOT encouraging other people to take their dog off leash in city, just saying that I do, but I know I take a few risks with it... But for sure as soon as we get to a field, etc.. he is definitely off leash... I trust him, even if he was to get spooked to run to me, instead of taking off, I expect him to always come running to me. How else can I train my dog if I NEVER trust him?

Dunno.. just a few thoughts of mine
 
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I find that very interesting.Thank you.And yes I get it when you said he did'nt know the differane with or without the leash.It's all he has ever known.


Very cool~
 
Toffee's Mom said:
I wouldn't want a dog that I can't let off-leash... one of the reasons I didn't end up rescuing from the greyhound rescue, lol

Personally I have always let my dog off leash, aka go to the car, on the driveway without it, he can go quick pee without leash, etc.. at night I always walk him without leash in my neighborhood (side streets)... I had trained him lots of times without a leash on, so he kinda doesn't know the difference that he HAS to listen more with a leash or without one, if that makes sense?

I use positive enforcement, I worked on the recall from when he was little... always call him and and RUN, run, run the other way, always make him chase me and ensure I am way more fun than anything or anybody else.

Also right from the beginning that he is NOT to go off the sidewalk, ever, unless I say okay, including if there is another dog across the street barking at him... For example I say wait, everytime I cross a street, etc... when he was smaller and tried to walk off the sidewalk I'd be NO.. and run the other way, teaching him that NEVER go off the sidewalk, but to recognize it as a 'border'

OF COURSE I watch like a hawk, and if I see anything at all I use the command leash on.. which means come close to get your leash put on (always gets treats for that to ensure it's positive for him and it's not a trick) "Come" only use for no nonsense and when I know he IS coming followed by a sit in front of me... 'Come' is NEVER used for making him do something he hates.. like brushing or having his ears cleaned...

Now, even when he knows a person across the street and he is all wiggly and eager, he waits for me to say OK, 'Hussle' (means ok to cross the street, just NO dawdling no smelling)

I am NOT encouraging other people to take their dog off leash in city, just saying that I do, but I know I take a few risks with it... But for sure as soon as we get to a field, etc.. he is definitely off leash... I trust him, even if he was to get spooked to run to me, instead of taking off, I expect him to always come running to me. How else can I train my dog if you NEVER trust him?

Dunno.. just a few thoughts of mine
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I second almost everything you say, except that I never walk my two off leash in the city. They're aloud to walk from the car into our house off leash or from the front yard to the back off leash. Not so much with Ginny yet, being off leash in front of our house since she's still young, but eventually.
 
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Mine are NEVER EVER allowed off leash. It only takes that one split second where they see something and they are gone! Although I know people who do let their shelties off leash, its just not a risk im willing to take with mine!
 
I would love to let Bailey off leash, but she is a very distracted puppy. I took her to the park a few weeks ago. It was empty, so I let her off leash. She was very good. I'd throw a ball, she'd run after and bring it back. She did take off after a flock of birds. I called her name and shouted "come here" and she turned around and ran back to me.

I tried it again at the beach last weekend and it was not successful. She took off after birds and a person running. She didn't come back when I called her. Good thing my friend's dog was chasing her and he was on a retractable leash, so my friend was able to grab her.

My first sheltie walked with no leash and had no problem. She wouldn't leave my side. I don't think Bailey could ever walk off leash. I don't trust her. She will take off if she sees a bird, squirrel or another dog.

I think it all depends on your dog and how reliable their recall is. Every dog is different. Either way, I would never let my dog off leash when walking on the street or near cars.
 
I don't take Meggie for walks off leash, but she does go in the front with me and walks to the car and mailbox off leash. She knows not to go off the driveway without me. Luckily I live on a very quiet street and the way it is, only people who live on the street actually drive down it. Everybodies dogs are off leash in the front and we're all careful. Meggie is not a car chaser, but does love my neighbor Rudy. She has selective hearing when Rudy is around.
 
Lightplum said:
Mine are NEVER EVER allowed off leash. It only takes that one split second where they see something and they are gone! Although I know people who do let their shelties off leash, its just not a risk im willing to take with mine!
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I can appreciate that, that is why I put the caveat on mine.. it really depends, and is a VERY personal choice only. I have friends who do not let their Shelties of the leash.
 
I let mine off lead in the woods or in the country. Never when a road is near by. I teach the recall from a small pup on a long line(about 20ft) they learn to walk near me and stay close. If they start to wander too far I step on the lead. I teach it very positive with restrained recalls, food toss recalls, recalls to tug toys, chase games etc. at first and make it the best thing in the world to come to me. I do a set up a correction(always folllowed by praise) away from a food lure when the dog knows it. I do this from 2 reasons. 1. to control the situation that they do not respond-distracted but on lead 2. I want my dogs to leave the distraction immediately no questions asked. I have never had to give more then 1 or 2 corrections to a sheltie. If I don't feel the dog is trustworthy, they don't get off leash.
 
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