When did you let yours off the lead?

[stripesorspots]

We have a 4 month old Cavapoo and she's been a dream so far. She's been pretty easy to train - she's house trained and can do basic commands, and it's generally 50/50 as to whether she comes if you call her name. However, I can't ever imagine letting her off the lead when out in the park etc. I'm intrigued to know when you first felt confident enough to let yours off the lead? I'm not even considering it for a long time, but as a first time dog owner, I'd like to know how you know when it's time.....!!?? In the meantime, we have a large garden, so she gets plenty of free running around play time.

When you are 100% she will come back to you. Long line, or trailing leads are your friend here. Also, make sure you are using every possible time to train recall. Calling her for her dinner etc.

Do it as soon as possible. We did it on the first walk. They stay close to you at that age. And lots of high value treats with you. Mini sausages are good, or a toy if they aren’t food motivated.

we went to a local park and as she got more confident over a couple of weeks played hide and seek to encourage re call. We’d donr recall games at home too…

As soon as possible. Mine have all been off leads for some periods from the first walk. The longer you wait the more of a weird treat it is for them. If you can hire a dog walking field and practice there, and keep going with lots of very high value treats.

We did it step by step as laid out in a book (recommended to me on here) called Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson. It's very structured and you don't move to the next step before you master the previous. It worked well for our stubborn schnauzer! She's actually far better off lead than she is on it 🤦‍♀️

Puppies should be off lead from the day they come to you, as their natural instinct to stay with you can be reinforced with play and food.
Even in the house if you’re not yet taking them out (which you can do from day 1 in controlled circumstances).

I’d focus now on showing her coming back/staying near you is extremely rewarding.

On a long line from first walk. He stayed with us without needing to pick it up until he was a little older and then we used all the tools in Pippa Mattison's book - total recall - thoroughly recommend. His recall is 100%, even from livestock.

Ah.. I see someone else has recommended it already!

Not until she is coming back 100% of the time @ 50/50 recall a big NO

I'll never let mine off lead unless in a private enclosed field - we use long lead elsewhere but I don't see the point otherwise, local dogs have drowned in the lake, never been found etc. I just don't want to risk it even though recall is great.

Not until he stops jumping up at every person and dog we get near to. It's not just about recall (which is going well).

First walk… it’s easier as they are more scared of the big wide world so come to you for reassurance!

Her first ever walk and every walk since. They won’t want to stray far, it’s a new big scary world!

About 4 months old we hired a private field and practised there until we were really confident he would come back. We played the recall game at home and worked on it about 4-5 times a day. Then in public we used a long line until he was 100%. He was allowed off the lead in public at about 5.5 months and back on it at 7.5 months because he's decided his ears are simply for decoration these days! Back to the long line for now.

From 10.5 weeks. I have a working terrier and we reinforced her WANTING to stay with us from a very young age and before she developed independence. Her recall is amazing at nearly 2 and she is off the lead in most places (we live rurally) unless there is a road or livestock likely to be near. Then we use a long line. Choosing to check in with your as amazing things happen is much more powerful than being nagged to come back.

First walk then every walk.

if you get your dogs recall embedded in the first few walks then it’s set for life as it’s normal for them to go where you go and return to you when asked. If you leave it till they are adolescents it’s a pain in the arse.

The very first day they're allowed to be on the ground. At that age they want to be with you, so don't go very far, and you reinforce recall endlessly so coming back to you is fun.

Don't leave recall to the end of the walk, because dogs are remarkably quick to learn that it means the end of fun time. Same with taking the lead on and off.

First walk. He's a collie though so honestly he just come back. We had lots and lots of practice in the garden or families gardens with distractions first.

First time dog owner, our dog was about 14 weeks old and I got talking to a lady in the park who said quite firmly that I need to let her off lead asap it or we would never achieve good recall.
I followed her suggestion that day with some trepidation and I honestly believe that was the best advice I ever received as a new dog mum.

Very soon after the vaccination and at 12 weeks, and after a couple of walks. First in the park,then beach.. recall was always fantastic, walking to heel huh! Border collie

As soon as possible.
We also used Total Recall as recommended by pp and had practiced in house and garden before she was allowed out properly

From her very first walk at 12 weeks.

By the first walk they'll usually have had a few weeks to build a bond with you and it's that bond that will keep them close. They'll follow you around like a lamb with it's mother. Puppies don't want to get lost, they won't just trot off into the distance. Ddog is 2 now and her recall is 100%, both by voice and she's whistle trained.

Everyone I know with a dog with excellent recall had them off lead from the start. Everyone I know with dogs with poor or less than perfect recall kept them onlead for several months, faffing about with longlines and such.

Absolutely this. Don’t delay, let them off straight away, ours went off as soon as we could walk her. It’s definitely the best way.

Mine is three and I choose the times he’s let off lead based on what I know he’s capable/not capable of. I know some people say to start them early but mine didn’t get that memo - we did everything you’re supposed to do but he’s never been 100% reliable so I’m selective about when he’s off. Practised from a few months in the house/garden/quiet places/busier places in a range of situations and worked it out from there.

As soon as possible and as much as possible. They will totally bugger off and worry you a couple of times in their life. Usually at the teenage stage.

We went to puppy classes run by the Dogs Trust. The last class was outside and training recall on long leads. By this time our pup’s recall was 100%. I said we didn’t need a long lead, as our dog would come back. I felt a bit apprehensive after that but I shouldn’t have worried. They tried everything to distract her, they shouted her, used treats and waved toys. She was having none of it. The other pups were all over the place.

I wouldn’t recommend the Dogs Trust classes.