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Original poster

Should I be letting my puppy off the lead?

26 replies

BlueSkyBud · 29/09/2021 13:16

Hi everyone,

Just after some advice because twice now I've encountered people who've told me my puppy should be off the lead.

For context, she is 13½ weeks old and started her first walks a few days ago due to her jabs - her breeder didn't have her first jab done which set us back a bit in terms of when she has been able to go for a walk. But she's now allowed to do pavement walks, which she's been doing since Saturday.

In that time, two people have approached me when we're out walking to say that I am making a mistake and she should be off the lead to get used to other dogs. Today, a woman told me I was raising a terrified dog and she should be allowed to run around freely - on about her fourth walk ever, right next to a road? My puppy was barking and unsure about her huge dog approaching her, which seems understandable, seeing as she's so tiny and this is all new to her? I was trying to show the pup that the big dog was nothing to be scared of by talking to her in a reassuring voice and crouching down with her, but apparently this was the wrong thing to do.

Letting her off now (especially with the road etc!) doesn't seem sensible to me, but I wanted to check with you knowledgeable lot. When did yours first go off the lead? How do I make sure that she isn't terrified, because now I'm nervous that she is going to grow up nervous because of this?

She gets lots of runs in a big enclosed garden with my PILs' two dogs and is booked into puppy class in two weeks' time. What else do I need to be doing?

If you're able to offer any advice, I'd be really grateful!

OP posts:
EmmaGrundyForPM · 29/09/2021 13:20

I think we first let our puppy off lead after a couple of weeks of on-lead walks. But we only did it in an enclosed field where he couldn't run off!

Our puppy is very well socialised but that's not from being off-lead. It's from interacting with lots of other dogs at the park and going to puppy training classes.

Floralnomad · 29/09/2021 13:20

Don’t ever let her offlead near a road but it is advisable to take them to a park/ beach and let them off whilst they are still small enough to want to stay near you and not do a bunk . Early weeks are a great time to I still recall , it will go again but at least they know the basics . I doubt anyone meant you should be walking her offlead on a pavement

Original poster
BlueSkyBud · 29/09/2021 13:25

Thank you @EmmaGrundyForPM! She's met lots of dogs (the past few days but also pre-jabs when I carried her around to places to get her used to seeing cars/people/other dogs etc). She much prefers smaller ones and likes to jump around with them, but bigger ones still seem to spook her a bit. She is only a tiny girl, so this doesn't seem surprising (to me, anyway!)

Looking forward to her puppy classes. Think I'm going to take her for a play in PILs' garden in a bit because the woman's comments have got me down!

Thanks again Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueSkyBud · 29/09/2021 13:28

Thank you @Floralnomad - I'll look for an enclosed field near us. We have lots of countryside, a common etc., but I'll look for something a bit more secure for while she's tiny.

It did seem a strange comment, which is why I wanted to ask here. Smile thank you

OP posts:
amusedtodeath1 · 29/09/2021 13:39

Everyone has an opinion OP, doesn't make them right though. As you say your dog is a little behind and they maybe felt at her age she should be doing XYZ, but you know your dog. It sounds like you're doing all the right things to me OP.

Figgygal · 29/09/2021 13:40

I certainly wouldn’t before you’ve had your classes since they’re coming up, it will help with your confidence
Ignore randoms in the street

WaltzingBetty · 29/09/2021 13:43

Not what you were asking but did the breeder have her microchipped? Odd to do that but not vaccinate her

breadfortea · 29/09/2021 13:46

We have always let ours off first walk, usually in a field or woods away from roads. When they are young they are scared and tend to follow you. Not for long maybe 5 minutes off lead 5 minutes on. I have always let them off if I see another dog off lead and always put them on if I see one on the lead. There us no right or wrong I don't think what ever works for you.

Original poster
BlueSkyBud · 29/09/2021 13:55

Thank you everyone for your responses Smile

Yes, she was microchipped. The breeder's reasoning was that she didn't want the puppies to have to start again if the vet gave them a different brand, which did sound unusual to me as well, but everything else about the puppy was ideal (health-checked parents, all the paperwork etc) so we went for her knowing that she'd be a bit behind and have to catch up with her jabs.

I've done some googling and found that there is an enclosed dog 'paddock' in a park not far from us, so I might try that in the first instance.

I agree that it's a confidence thing on my part too - I don't want to raise a puppy with anxiety issues but I also obviously want her to be safe!

Thank you all again Smile

OP posts:
MagentaRocks · 29/09/2021 13:58

Ours are off lead when in a field/woods etc but never near a road.

Floralnomad · 29/09/2021 14:15

I’d be a bit cautious taking her to what sounds like a ‘dog park ‘ , better off just finding a quiet common / field / beach away from roads but not overloaded with other dogs .

HadEnoughOfBears · 29/09/2021 14:33

@Floralnomad

I’d be a bit cautious taking her to what sounds like a ‘dog park ‘ , better off just finding a quiet common / field / beach away from roads but not overloaded with other dogs .
Presumably a secure dog paddock is one of the ones which can be hired per hour / half hour for exclusive use. Perfect way to work on recall training.
Dragongirl10 · 29/09/2021 14:40

I agree with letting even a young puppy off lead, BUT only in a fully secure enclosed environment, (or miles from a road with plenty of sightline). not overrun with other dogs, one or two is fine...

I find if they are let off early they are not too confident so starting recall training is easy. Finding the right safe spaces is not always so easy..

catzfur · 29/09/2021 14:40

My dog is 3. I let her off the lead in the park the first time I took her -
I met a friend there with her puppy who said someone else had encouraged her to do the same early on. It worked well as my puppy was quite timid and didn’t stray away from me.

My dog often walks off the lead but only in parks/fields/woods etc. I would never let her walk off lead near a road as anything could spook her or attract her attention and cause an accident.

Floralnomad · 29/09/2021 14:47

@HadEnoughOfBears I assumed it meant a bit put aside for dogs a bit like an American dog park .

SingingGoldfinch · 29/09/2021 14:54

We let our pup off early on and his recall was great then all of a sudden (and I mean absolutely fine one day and not the next!) he hit adolescence and started bolting after anything that moved (mostly birds and squirrels) and completely ignoring us! When he decides to run he is seriously fast and we had a few real scares so he went back on the lead and we're only just starting to build the trust back up to let him off now and only in enclosed spaces. I guess what I'm trying to say is you can let puppies off when young and it's all fine but don't drop your guard!!!

Lifeishitsometimes · 29/09/2021 14:55

If I let my little pup off the lead round here she would get squashed flat in about 10 minutes. She's a couple of weeks behind yours. I'll do it where it's safe but definitely not on a pavement next to a dual carriageway! People have loads of opinions, some will be informed, others not. Go your own way and take the advice of a trainer you really trust.
I do agree with not coddling her when she's afraid though. It sort of reinforces her anxiety. Careful introductions to known friendly dogs of all shapes and sizes is better according to the person I trust.

icedcoffees · 29/09/2021 15:02

Ours was off-lead from day one.

Brownlongearedbat · 29/09/2021 15:33

Never near a road. It only takes a second for a dog to go under a car. I speak from experience. Because of that, although it was nearly 40 years ago, I establish good recall in secure areas before I let them go off lead. I also have very small dogs so I have the added problem of them possibly being injured by over enthusiastic or bad tempered bigger dogs. Tbh, I am probably a bit over cautious.

TheChip · 29/09/2021 15:47

I let mine off on the first walk, but in a more quiet area at first with little distractions. Then in the park where there was distractions. Once they were no longer afraid to move a fair distance from me, I moved to a secure place. I used the tennis courts, which were gated. That's when I put full focus on recall.
Definitely never near roads.

You'll find that everybody has an opinion on what you should or shouldn't be doing with your dog. It's your dog, you know yourself and your dog best. What is suited for others could be hell on earth for you, so just do what you're most comfortable with.

Rugsofhonour · 29/09/2021 15:49

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
BlueSkyBud · 29/09/2021 16:33

Thanks, everyone. Yes, she's off the lead in our own garden and in PILs' garden, which is much larger, and she loves haring around. She's good at recall in these settings.

I think I'm going to have to grow a thicker skin, @TheChip, because I've encountered two fellow dog walkers who know it all only since Saturday Smile I've heard that people offer all sorts of opinions on babies, I didn't expect it with dogs!

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 29/09/2021 16:50

Letting them offlead when they’re still fairly little is good because you get to practise recall while they’re still clingy and before they lose it for a bit as teenagers... but not so random dogs can run up to her...you’d do it somewhere quiet and fairly secure (doesn’t need to be Fort Knox, tiny puppies don’t just suddenly go woohoo, bye!! Lol)

The no vaccinations thing is not uncommon as yeah, sometimes they do have to start again with a different brand and they’ve had a dose for no good reason.

bingohandjob · 29/09/2021 17:11

Context is everything - my friend has had exceptionally well trained working gun dogs all her life and would never have them off lead on the streets in the city they they live. Totally different context in a secure field, quiet park area etc. I also think it's respectful to have your dog on the lead when walking along eg residential/shopping streets as lots of people are scared of dogs - I've really noticed this since owning one, and you are responsible for controlling them. Just as I don't want my dog to say hello and react to everyone he meets, I've learnt plenty of people don't want to interact either!

waybill · 29/09/2021 17:30

@BlueSkyBud

Thanks, everyone. Yes, she's off the lead in our own garden and in PILs' garden, which is much larger, and she loves haring around. She's good at recall in these settings.

I think I'm going to have to grow a thicker skin, @TheChip, because I've encountered two fellow dog walkers who know it all only since Saturday Smile I've heard that people offer all sorts of opinions on babies, I didn't expect it with dogs!

Yes, there do seem to be a few smart alecs who love to tell you what experts they are and where you are going wrong, so just smile and nod.
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