Off leash walking?
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I walk Skye on a leash past the houses, across the road and a little into the rough path that borders the sea. Then she sits politely and I take the lead off. She'll wander about sniffing and I walk on at a steady pace. She catches me up and we walk along this rocky path till we get to our favourite viewing spot when we'll sit together and talk about the kids. We walk on again to the top of a hill from where I can see anyone coming.
If there are people, I'll either walk off the path and onto the rough ground with Skye or put her on the lead. She loves meeting people but not everyone loves a crotchful of Boxer slobber when they are out for a stroll so we'll judge whether to stop and pass the time of day or not depending on how they react to her from a distance.
If there is no one on the little beach, we'll stop there for Skye to have a play in the water. She loves digging up stones and kicking up the sand so I won't take her there if anyone is sunbathing.
All in all it's rare for Skye to be out with me for a whole walk with her lead on. Only at a road or at times when I am not sure of the people and/or dogs on the horizon will I clip her on. Most of the time when we are walking home and have passed the road she is on the lead but is carrying it herself.
So, yes, she's off leash for most of her walks but not where she is in danger or where she could be an annoyance to other people.
If there are people, I'll either walk off the path and onto the rough ground with Skye or put her on the lead. She loves meeting people but not everyone loves a crotchful of Boxer slobber when they are out for a stroll so we'll judge whether to stop and pass the time of day or not depending on how they react to her from a distance.
If there is no one on the little beach, we'll stop there for Skye to have a play in the water. She loves digging up stones and kicking up the sand so I won't take her there if anyone is sunbathing.
All in all it's rare for Skye to be out with me for a whole walk with her lead on. Only at a road or at times when I am not sure of the people and/or dogs on the horizon will I clip her on. Most of the time when we are walking home and have passed the road she is on the lead but is carrying it herself.
So, yes, she's off leash for most of her walks but not where she is in danger or where she could be an annoyance to other people.
Thanks Red. Yes, I'd love it if you came and hiked too. This is the extreme north part of Idaho, loads of forest and scanty population. My point was to show that there are places when combined with velcro dogs who like to stick around and who are obedient that it is safe enough to go off leash. I wouldn't dream of it where there was traffic or much of a chance of other dogs coming along. If by chance I come across someone (extremely rare in this area, but sometimes on other trails) I still don't worry because Lyric is not very interested in them or aggressive at all. He just stays by me. The Chi's would yap and run up to people to say "hi" if given the chance, but not Lyric. He's pretty aloof and just minds his own business.
Skye, you're place sounds wonderful too and safe. It's nice to find a place where the dogs can be dogs and roar around a little bit. But it's important that they're pretty obedient and stick around kind of dogs.
My niece use to walk with me with her hound mix. He'd see a squirrel and take off running and keep on running out of sight. It would drive us nuts because he wouldn't show himself for a long time. He had no recall at all. So, even in the wilderness where there's no danger of cars, there are bears out there and moose and it's dangerous if the dog runs way, way off because he may come back with an angry bear in tow. So, my dogs must be obedient and not go too far off and have learned with treats/praise the cue: "trail." And they're very good about coming back on the trail after a wee excursion into the woods along side the trail.
Skye, you're place sounds wonderful too and safe. It's nice to find a place where the dogs can be dogs and roar around a little bit. But it's important that they're pretty obedient and stick around kind of dogs.
My niece use to walk with me with her hound mix. He'd see a squirrel and take off running and keep on running out of sight. It would drive us nuts because he wouldn't show himself for a long time. He had no recall at all. So, even in the wilderness where there's no danger of cars, there are bears out there and moose and it's dangerous if the dog runs way, way off because he may come back with an angry bear in tow. So, my dogs must be obedient and not go too far off and have learned with treats/praise the cue: "trail." And they're very good about coming back on the trail after a wee excursion into the woods along side the trail.
I take Duke on offlesh Hikes with my friend and her year old Shepherd cross Gypsy. Gypsy has amazing recall and helps reinforce Duke's recall ( who since he's still 4 months and 3 weeks, has no major hormonal influences telling him to go off and explore so has very good recall). We are in an urban area so most walks have to be on lesh however their is a large green space, rock qaury and river area we take them where offlesh is allowed even though it's not fenced in. They have a blast and we make them sit and then say who's ready to run? The second we unclip them they go crazy and start frollicing ( and I mean literally prancing while running.
So they seem to enjoy plus it's good excersise for them plus its a nice break for them from their normal walks.
Kayla
So they seem to enjoy plus it's good excersise for them plus its a nice break for them from their normal walks.
Kayla
I walk Dakota offleash for about 75% of our walks. When we're at the park or in the mountains near our property (rural area) I let him off. His recall is reliable and there isn't a car to be found. My only concern is snakes, but I keep him moving and don't give him much of a chance to stop and snoop for anything. Dakota is on leash when we walk in public, just because it's the law.
Ripley is never offleash . . . Only in large, fenced areas and even then, I'm extremely cautious.
Ripley is never offleash . . . Only in large, fenced areas and even then, I'm extremely cautious.
Impressive! How on earth did you train him to stay off the roads? My parents' dog is hopeless when it comes to roads, so I have to keep her on leash at all times, unfortunately. Unless we're at the park; but her recall is iffy, so there can't be any people/dogs/anything around for that to work out. 
It really is incredible how he will stop mid chase and not go into the street.
A lot of times i will test him, and go running across the street...poor guy gets so confused, and he just lays at the curb, waiting for me to say its ok for him to come to me.
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Lucas stays on-leash at all times, unless it's in a fully fenced area. It's not because he's not trained or anything, it's because he is so independent most times (not that he won't listen, he just thinks for himself) and I am afraid of him not listening just once.
I saw this guy with a dog off leash RIGHT next to a busy road where cars are going 40 mph. I don't care really how reliable the dog is, I think that is not worth the risk. The only place for the dog to go is in the road and if it did get spooked or went in the road it would be road kill I just don't think it's worth the chance in that instance. Though it didn't help that the owner wasn't paying attention
I saw this guy with a dog off leash RIGHT next to a busy road where cars are going 40 mph. I don't care really how reliable the dog is, I think that is not worth the risk. The only place for the dog to go is in the road and if it did get spooked or went in the road it would be road kill
I just don't think it's worth the chance in that instance. Though it didn't help that the owner wasn't paying attention
Just wanted to add, once Duke hits the 6 month period even after he's neutered I'm going to keep him onlesh strictly until he's around a year and done his next level of obidence so I can judge how well his recall has been affected by his new adult hormones and a desire to explore, that and how strong his prey drive develops and how well he is around other dogs, even though he's great now with everything, I don't want to risk him or anyone elses pet.
I've been attacked twice by offlesh dogs a few years ago with Diamond, our boxer before she passed away and I wouldn't want someones pet have to go through that so until I see how Duke matures and develops he won't be allowed offlesh again.
I think you should have a strong sense of how you dog is around other dogs, and prey animals and how well they will listen to you when they see them, one breed in piticular I would never let offlesh would be huskies just because of their strong strong sleding instincts and desires to run and run, but I believe many dogs of many breeds, when properly trained and have a bulletproof recall then it's safe to let them off lead with you, in the proper areas preferablly where other people and dogs do not frequent and away from roads.
Kayla
I've been attacked twice by offlesh dogs a few years ago with Diamond, our boxer before she passed away and I wouldn't want someones pet have to go through that so until I see how Duke matures and develops he won't be allowed offlesh again.
I think you should have a strong sense of how you dog is around other dogs, and prey animals and how well they will listen to you when they see them, one breed in piticular I would never let offlesh would be huskies just because of their strong strong sleding instincts and desires to run and run, but I believe many dogs of many breeds, when properly trained and have a bulletproof recall then it's safe to let them off lead with you, in the proper areas preferablly where other people and dogs do not frequent and away from roads.
Kayla
I am for dogs on leashes. That's because I don't trust other people's dogs! Just read what I just posted in this forum about that boxer named foxy who has now attacked my dogs for the third time! My dogs were under control on leashes two of the times, and one of the times they were in their own electric fenced back yard under my supervision. I am sick and tired of that dog. If those people would keep their dog on a leash the problem would stop. I'm glad your dogs are trained, but there are a lot of people who aren't as responsible as you, so I think leash laws are a GOOD thing!
Happy to hear everybody's opinions. There are many factors which come in to play. City vs. country living. Breed of dog. Wildlife, etc. Living in a rural enviornment with a well trained GSD I feel perfectly at ease letting her off leash out in the country.
When we go to town she is always leashed except when we visit a few select stores where the shop keepers know us and enjoy her presence, then she gets to be free inside the store.
Now if I had a greyhound, I would never allow him off lead when in an open area, just because of their high prey drive and chase instinct. Also if I lived in town or along a busy road the leash would be more a part of our daily routine.
When we go to town she is always leashed except when we visit a few select stores where the shop keepers know us and enjoy her presence, then she gets to be free inside the store.
Now if I had a greyhound, I would never allow him off lead when in an open area, just because of their high prey drive and chase instinct. Also if I lived in town or along a busy road the leash would be more a part of our daily routine.
B
Get a can of Halt when you walk your dog and if the Boxer comes near you, give him a good pray right on ihis muzzle. I guarantee that dog won't ever come near you again....... And it won't cause any damage to the dog ....
http://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repellent-1-5-oz/dp/B000C39DYE
http://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repellent-1-5-oz/dp/B000C39DYE
I agree 100%.
I hate having to carry my regulation issue MACE or pepper spray when I'm not at work and off walking my dogs. We live outside of the city limits in a rural setting, golf course subdivision and there's no leash law outside of city limits.
There is nothing more terrifying to see (except maybe a loaded gun pointed at you) than to look behind you and see a 130 lb Rottweiler, with every tooth in his head bared, charging you about 1/2 a block away coming out of the woods and there's nowhere to go. And the owner 1/2 a block behind the dog screaming, "No! No! Darth, COME, COME!!" and the dog is oblivious to the commands. I just prayed my Mace would shoot the obligitory 18-20 feet and it did, thank God. And the owner breathlessly catching up stating, "I don't know WHAT got into him, he's soooo good on all his commands and obeying me. But today you'd never know he was first place in obedience" ***sigh***
Yeah, right.
This man no longer walks his dog off leash or in my neighborhood any longer. I love dogs just as much as anyone but they are animals not robots and they do have moments when they do not obey at some point in their lives. And you do not know when that will be, it could be to the detriment of the dog or of others when that time happens to occur.
I hate having to carry my regulation issue MACE or pepper spray when I'm not at work and off walking my dogs. We live outside of the city limits in a rural setting, golf course subdivision and there's no leash law outside of city limits.
There is nothing more terrifying to see (except maybe a loaded gun pointed at you) than to look behind you and see a 130 lb Rottweiler, with every tooth in his head bared, charging you about 1/2 a block away coming out of the woods and there's nowhere to go. And the owner 1/2 a block behind the dog screaming, "No! No! Darth, COME, COME!!" and the dog is oblivious to the commands. I just prayed my Mace would shoot the obligitory 18-20 feet and it did, thank God. And the owner breathlessly catching up stating, "I don't know WHAT got into him, he's soooo good on all his commands and obeying me. But today you'd never know he was first place in obedience" ***sigh***
Yeah, right.
This man no longer walks his dog off leash or in my neighborhood any longer. I love dogs just as much as anyone but they are animals not robots and they do have moments when they do not obey at some point in their lives. And you do not know when that will be, it could be to the detriment of the dog or of others when that time happens to occur.
lol, thats how i am too.
There is a leash law where i live, but cops have commented on how well behaved oakley is off leash, so we kinda took that as an 'ok' to walk him off leash, lol
I never let him run up to dogs or people without permission. Whenever i am within half a block of someone, i call him to my side, and he stays glued to my side until i give him the ok.
i dunno, i DONT trust oakley 100% on the 'come' command, but i DO trust him not to go into the street.
Honestly, the biggest threat i see is someone yelling at me for letting him run all over their lawn....
There is a leash law where i live, but cops have commented on how well behaved oakley is off leash, so we kinda took that as an 'ok' to walk him off leash, lol
I never let him run up to dogs or people without permission. Whenever i am within half a block of someone, i call him to my side, and he stays glued to my side until i give him the ok.
i dunno, i DONT trust oakley 100% on the 'come' command, but i DO trust him not to go into the street.
Honestly, the biggest threat i see is someone yelling at me for letting him run all over their lawn....
I do let Tango off leash if there is an open field, not too close to roads. I don't take her for walks off leash though simply because I can't, living in the city. She has an excellent recall outside. I can call her off of absolutely anything, such as a hare we saw the other day. She comes running to me, happy and extremely proud of herself. My Toller will also be allowed off leash when she has a solid recall and I feel I can trust her, but again, only in open fields away from roads.
Tango get's zero exercise on leash, which is why I let her off when I feel it's safe.
Tango get's zero exercise on leash, which is why I let her off when I feel it's safe.
Walker is always off leash unles i take him to town. Here in the county we have no leash law and he has a great recall he ahs too hes a hunting dog. I can call him off anything with just screaming "a" and everyone here just loves him to peices. When i take him to the lake he listens to everybody not jsut me if a car comes in too fast they jsut call him and say no and he stops.
NO dog is 100% reliable with recall... period. They are animals, with instincts, no matter how much training they've been through, how friendly they are, how old they are, how loyal they are, etc.
If there are cars or strange people in sight, and if it's near any roads, my dogs are always on leash.
And Gonzo has competed in Obedience, doing 10 minute stays with dogs running by & lots of difficult distractions! However, just that one time where he was on a loose leash & we were close to the road... a mail truck drove really close to the sidewalk, he suddenly lunged toward the wheel, and he would've been hit if I had not jerked the leash at the last second. :< NOT worth it.
If there are cars or strange people in sight, and if it's near any roads, my dogs are always on leash.
And Gonzo has competed in Obedience, doing 10 minute stays with dogs running by & lots of difficult distractions! However, just that one time where he was on a loose leash & we were close to the road... a mail truck drove really close to the sidewalk, he suddenly lunged toward the wheel, and he would've been hit if I had not jerked the leash at the last second. :< NOT worth it.
could i get something clarified? Ive noticed a lot of people talking about the possibility of a dog getting scared of something...
i dont understand how this is an issue
When Oakley is scared, he usually runs to me, and glues himself to my leg (i mean, i cant even walk cause he is like attached to it, LOL)
If he gets confused, he lays down (well, confused with my commands that is...sometimes the wrong one pops out, haha)
I just think he sees enough squirrels on a regular basis, that even those 4 squirrels fighting on the other side of the street arent enough to get him to cross without my OK.
I dunno, i just have a hard time imagining anything in my neighborhood thatwould cause a threat to him
i dont understand how this is an issue
When Oakley is scared, he usually runs to me, and glues himself to my leg (i mean, i cant even walk cause he is like attached to it, LOL)
If he gets confused, he lays down (well, confused with my commands that is...sometimes the wrong one pops out, haha)
I just think he sees enough squirrels on a regular basis, that even those 4 squirrels fighting on the other side of the street arent enough to get him to cross without my OK.
I dunno, i just have a hard time imagining anything in my neighborhood thatwould cause a threat to him
Seeing Doberluv's Idaho, I can see where the disputes come in. If I lived there, there's no way my dogs would stay onleash either. But I bet you still have problems with jerks letting vicious dogs run loose. I live in a densely populated state where even dog-friendly parks have leash laws, and I obey them religiously. In my experience, every single person who breaks the leash laws in NJ has an untrained, badly-behaved-and-bordering-on-aggressive dog, usually either a Lab/Golden or a breed like the Rottweiler. I don't honestly see anything to support the idea that it's the few who spoil it for the majority who have good dogs with great recall. I love my dog and she has pretty good recall, but I think that's pretty much a minor couple of points in my situation. In all the parks I frequent, I'm not the only one there - there are elderly people, children, hikers, cyclists, and probably people who fear dogs. Even if I had a dog with perfect recall, do I really have the right to dominate a public space with what is, after all, a fairly large predator running at large?
It depends on the dog's personality, it's age, and what scared it, of course. I think my dog would react NOW to something scary by coming to me, but when she was younger, she was 110% skittery - spook her, and she'd just take off. Into traffic, into orbit, whatever. It took her maturing to calm down a bit and think before she acted. And even a mature, calm dog who looks to their owner for safety will run from the owner in an extreme situation. When Hen was mauled a couple of years ago, her first reaction when she finally got loose was to run like hell, not look around for me.
It depends on the dog's personality, it's age, and what scared it, of course. I think my dog would react NOW to something scary by coming to me, but when she was younger, she was 110% skittery - spook her, and she'd just take off. Into traffic, into orbit, whatever. It took her maturing to calm down a bit and think before she acted. And even a mature, calm dog who looks to their owner for safety will run from the owner in an extreme situation. When Hen was mauled a couple of years ago, her first reaction when she finally got loose was to run like hell, not look around for me.