On- vs off-lead

[RD]

Good behavior off-leash is very important to me, but it really depends on the dog and what they will be able to do. There are some dogs that I would never let off-lead in a public place (ie: ripley) and some that can be extremely reliable.

I'm all for off-lead training if it is done safely.

[oriondw]

If a dog is friendly, well socialized, and obedient. If it doesnt run to greet first dog it sees.

Then offleash is ok with me. Letting a dog that has temperment issues or is unreliable offleash is just stupid.

[rocco&quiras mama]

my dogs are very friendly and very well socialized but they love ppl and all though they dont run up to everyone they see .. some ppl are scared and for those ppl it***180;s scary enough just seeing a dog offlead.. it***180;s all about respect..

[panzer426]

on leash unless in your home or a home you are comfortable in and can still supervise 100%, off leash in a securely fenced area while you supervise, off leash inside a dog kennel, off leash at the vet or groomer IF the vet/groomer needs the leash off to do something either while you supervise or while the dog is sedated or while the vet supervises (if you trust the vet). think thats about it except POSSIBLY a dog park where you are fenced in, after you have been many times and know the dog wont cause trouble and know the other dogs wont, new dog comes leash goes on.

[Brattina88]

Originally Posted by RD

Good behavior off-leash is very important to me, but it really depends on the dog and what they will be able to do. There are some dogs that I would never let off-lead in a public place (ie: ripley) and some that can be extremely reliable.

I'm all for off-lead training if it is done safely.

I agree. I think it very much depends on the dog, and the trainer/owner/handler

Originally Posted by rocco&quiras mama

my dogs are very friendly and very well socialized but they love ppl and all though they dont run up to everyone they see .. some ppl are scared and for those ppl it´s scary enough just seeing a dog offlead.. it´s all about respect..

I agree, to some extent. It depends on where you are - you have to respect people if you are in a public park that has any person who could be potentaily afriad of dogs. I personally only let Maddie off leash when we are in a very remote location, or a known area that dogs are aloud off leash so that people are aware they are, even though she is small, very obediant and always comes when I call her. (I would Never let my Carly off of the leash) We have to be careful because one wrong thing happens, and it ruins it for every dog in the area.

[Dixie]

OK heres my stance-

If you want the dog off-leash, I would STRONGLY recommend OB OB OB OB OB OB OB OB OB well versed OBEDIENCE! Your dog should be 110% reliable off-leash, not 99.9%, its not complete.

Also, Collar conditioning to urge the response you desire. This is using the e-collar. Now before I get crucified, let me explain. When you do this, you are not looking to zap the crap out of the dog right off. I use a 15-level e-collar. Level 1 gets no response, Level 2 gets his attention, Level 3 makes him jump, anything higher gets an immediate YIKE! We train on level 2, if he decides to deliberately disobey me then I up it to level 3, after that he usually complies, only once have I had to take it to level 4.

Now here's how you do it. You give the command, and you immediately nic, within a week he is driving to do as you ask, and for every session after that you must have a collar on. Here's what happens, Fido gets to roam a bit, and yet he is under your control.

Now if there are multiple dogs in your area, I WOULD NOT walk-off leash unless at the park, you never know when a fight might go down. If your out in the country where you know your neighbors dogs then yeah I would walk him off-leash. Just keep the leash in your pocket in case he forgets his manners.

-Dix

[rocco&quiras mama]

shocking your dog obediant... theres a good tip 4 ya.......

why not stop using all these prongs ( or whatever u call them ) e-collars and whatever else and start trying positive reenforcement...
let me remind you that not to long ago it was ok to hit children or hang blacks..

[oriondw]

Originally Posted by rocco&quiras mama

shocking your dog obediant... theres a good tip 4 ya.......

why not stop using all these prongs ( or whatever u call them ) e-collars and whatever else and start trying positive reenforcement...
let me remind you that not to long ago it was ok to hit children or hang blacks..

[gaddylovesdogs]

I am not a huge fan of shock collars, but when used correctly they can be good training tools. I hate how if you come here and you're not 100% positive training, you're bashed and totally pushed down....I've had this happen to me and it's really annoying. You CAN'T say one thing will work for all dogs. Now, I'm not saying abuse your dog, but you don't have to be 100% P.R. and do what other owners do because they bully you.

[Brattina88]

idu... people still hit kids ...

Believe you and me I am all for positive reenforcement, but I don't instantly disagree with other methods because I know P.R doesn't work for every single dog - especailly those who are definitely not food or praise motivated