Off-Leash Common Courtesy and Tips

Training your dog to be off-leash reliable is a fantastic way to fulfill many of their needs. They can run, sniff, and explore, all while you are walking at your leisurely human pace. I have been doing off leash work with dogs for over five years now and I have had so much fun doing it. I have also had really terrifying and dangerous moments. I have been frustrated out on the trails with other dog owners not respecting my space and my dog's space, I have seen people put their dogs at risk and put MY dogs at risk. And I have looked back at my own career and seen my own mistakes and wished I could do better. So here's my rambling post of the month in the hopes that you do better for your own dogs so that you can learn from my mistakes.

Watching a dog run around without a care in the world and having the time of their life is one of the world's greatest joys. It is my favorite thing on earth and the best part of my job. But is a huge responsibility and comes with a lot of risk. So let's back this up a bit. Because you can't just unclip your dog's leash and hope for the best.

The first thing your dog will need is a solid recall. Can they come back when you call them?

When you're teaching something new you need to teach it in a way that is easy for your dog to understand. So we don't do this in an open field with 50 squirrels, a pack of deer, a screaming toddler, and a fresh steak for your dog to eat. Start in your living room... maybe use that steak as your dog's reward for when they're learning. Little to no distractions as you're first teaching the command, then you slowly build up the distractions and this skill.

As you move this skill to the great outdoors, get a longer leash. The limit does not exist (okay it probably does but I'm a millennial and I can't resist a good Mean Girls joke). I'm a huge fan of biothane long lines because after a nice muddy hike I can wipe them down with a Lysol wipe and be done with it. You can find biothane almost anywhere. Etsy if you're feeling fancy and want to customize every piece of it, Amazon if you're on a budget, I also like Champ Dog Gear, they have a super grip line which is really great for when it's wet out. It's really up to you what you use, but long lines are invaluable tools and allow your dog more freedom, while still giving you the control of having them on a leash so they don't run off on you. If they blow off your recall, you apply leash pressure and bring them back to you.

After a ton (and I mean a ton) of recall practice with long line, you're going to be itching to take that long line off... but not so fast. We still need some kind of safety net. If an e-collar isn't your speed, that's okay, it isn't for everyone. Let's test your dog, without a leash, but in a somewhat controlled environment. I really like using a Sniffspot for this. Sniffspot is where you can rent people's backyards (some are not fenced in so double check before you book!) for 30+ minutes. It's great for testing recall and amazing for reactive dogs. Here is a $5 credit if you want to try it for yourself (I might get some kick back for this, I honestly don't know. I got the link from my own Sniffspot account for full transparency)! It's a great in-between to see if you can trust your dog off leash, but still feel safe, as may of the spots are fully fenced in, so there is still a safety net.

Recall is a really tricky thing to nail down. You are never going to be more exciting than a squirrel or a rabbit or the environment. I just ask that you do your best and you have the follow through. If your dog has a really high prey drive, or if their recall is just god awful, they may have to be attached to a long line for the rest of their lives... and that's FINE!!! They can live a very fulfilled and happy life on a long line. I have a few dogs in my weekly packs that are on long lines because their recalls aren't up to par and they are so happy.

Now that you feel like you're ready to explore the great outdoors with your dog off leash, let's talk about some common courtesy with your dog.

1. Always keep a leash on you, even on the designated off leash trails. You may not ever need it, but just in case!

2. If you see another dog or person on the trail. Recall your dog. Don't allow your dog to bombard the other dog/person. Always ask first, even if it's an off leash trail. It's the polite thing to do. Best practice is to leash your dog until the other party dictates that an interaction is allowed. If the other dog is leashed, absolutely leash your dog immediately. Sometimes things happen and your dog will blow off your recall and bombard them anyway, don't play it off like it's funny and a joke. It's not. That could really impact the other dog. The other dog could be reactive or fearful. Rushing another dog like that is seen as very pushy and rude and could negatively impact that dog depending on it's age. Just do your best and apologize if your dog gets out of hand.

3. Don't let your dog get out of your sight. If they do, recall them. This is dangerous in so many ways. They could injure themselves, they could run up to other people or dogs, they could run after prey animals. So many different scenarios could happen and you would never know because you don't have eyes on them.

4. Always reward check ins! If your dog is voluntarily checking in with you (offering eye contact, coming back without being asked) make sure you are reward that. The more you reward the behavior, the more you will get that behavior.

5. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should - let's say your dog's recall is 100%. They come back every single time you call, no matter the distraction. A female in heat, an intact male, a deer carcass, whatever it is, your dog's recall is impeccable. You're at a leashed only trail but you didn't see any cars so you decide to unclip your dog's leash to give them that freedom. Please don't. Leash laws exist for a reason. This goes for non-pet friendly stores, farmers markets, wherever. Just because you can have your dog off leash doesn't mean you should. Be smart and respectful about it.

Otherwise, go forth and HAVE FUN with your dog!!