When to let rescue off lead?

[reikizen]

We have a 7 month old rescue who is currently causing carnage on walks with a long line! His recall around the house is great and I have had a few practise runs in a fenced off area (but no distractions). We have only had him a week so I feel like I need to build up a better bond first but I wondered what people felt about how will I know when the time is right? With my previous dogs I let them off as soon as possible but they were puppies.

It took me about 6 weeks to pluck up the courage - most of that was bonding time, but he had no apparent prior recall training.

Then I took him on a lengthy walk (3 hours ish on a long line, frequently called him back and rewarded him. When he was coming back reliably, even when running towards other dogs, I took him to a smaller area, bit the bullet and let him off.

I'm yet to lose him on a walk, and I'm always rather comforted to see that he will glance back to check where I am, so that he feels safe!

I did after a month. I walked with a friend and her dog. The 2 dogs had met and been playing in the garden on a regular basis, so I thought if she came back there is a good chance he would stay with her which he did. Then later that week, I let him off in the same area when we were by ourselves. Also like you I had practising recall which had gone well. But I can understand how you feel. My heart was in my mouth the first few times.

I did after a couple of weeks in a safe(ish) field near my house. I say safe(ish) because (rescue) DDog ducked under the closed gate that lead home and ran back to my (our) home.

It wasn't too bad, she did use the pavements on the way home! And I was 15 foot behind her the whole way!
I had tested DDog at home/garden with recall all the time, but that's not real life, so doesn't give you an honest picture.

I do think you have to bite the bullet at some point, trust/test them in a safe as environment as possible.

If I drive to a walk, eg the woods/beach I am 99% confident in DDogs recall as she's not a breed that is scent driven etc, but if I'm near home, I always put the lead on her before I need to, if that makes sense.

My personal preference is to have a dog off-lead when poss (if they are ok with dogs/children etc) so I would always be trying to achieve that as soon as possible.