Off-lead Play At The Park

[Sam_Gledhill]

Hi everyone

It's been a while now since I've posted to DOL but the good news is that Louie has turned out to be a wonderful puppy. Emma and I are like proud parents. We've never had even a hint of a second thought and we often comment to ourselves about how lucky we are to have such a wonderful addition to our home.

Nearby to our house is a massive, wdie open park where we love to take Louie (10months - Labrador) for a run around. If there are no other dogs we let him off the lead and he is really good at staying within a reasonable distance to us and we get a chance to practice a few obedience things such as retrieves, "come", heeling - that sort of stuff.

The only problem arises is if there are other dogs around. Quite naturally, Louie is extremely keen to go and visit and intoriduce himself, but I'd prefer it if we waited for us to tell him it was OK, instead of just charging off at a million miles an hour!

I am reluctant to call him back and penalise him becuase I don't want to un-train his recall.

Does anyone have any tips on how best to prevent my dog running away when he is off-leash. I know that keeping him on-leash is the most sensible, but it really limits his ability to chase balls or frisbees or all of the other really fun "park" stuff! I'd like to one day be able to walk around the park with him off-leaseh without the concern that he is about to bolt off.

Thanks in advance,

Sam.

[Arya]

Have a look at K9s comments on the first page of the socialisation and neutralisation thread on section at the moment. I wouldn't hesitate to call him back if you see another dog coming. Don't let him run off and play iwth other dogs willy nilly. Make the reward for coming back so high that he wouldn't give it another thought. You have to work on this over and over again for a long time, I found. Especially if the dog has learned it's fun to nick off and play with other dogs. I use my bit of hose for this. My dog loves it to bits. She will ignore other dogs in the vicinity to play with ME and the hose any time, no questions asked. In fact, she would get very aggro if another dog barged up and tried to join in, even in a friendly manner. I still have to watch this. Not our fault but have to think of other people who think all dogs should just play together happily (hate the comment 'he's friendly, you don't have to worry LOL). I used to use balls for this sort of training too but nowadays prefer the hose a million times better. Think of the cloth rolled up towel 'dummy' the customs people use with their labs in the mail room. It's a question of a lot of hard work to get to this stage though. I'd put on a long line if other dogs around (bearing in mind that imho a long line can be dangerous if not used carefully, as the force the dog exerts is magnified the further he runs from you, if you know what I mean). Play lots of recall games with him, sounds like you are doing anyway. Feed him every time he returns to you, or play iwth him with his favourite toy that he's only allowed to have when playing with you. But my rule is, if he nicks off to other dogs in preference to you just don't let him off. Don't allow it. It's hard to compete with the fun of other dogs. Don't try. He won't wilt away for not being off lead as often as you'd like as long as he gets lots of excercise. Good luck!!!

[Erny]

Does anyone have any tips on how best to prevent my dog running away when he is off-leash. I know that keeping him on-leash is the most sensible, but it really limits his ability to chase balls or frisbees or all of the other really fun "park" stuff! I'd like to one day be able to walk around the park with him off-leaseh without the concern that he is about to bolt off.

In addition to Arya's suggestion to read the thread by K9 Force, you also need to do more work on your recalls and proof them on lead. Long-lines are good for this (note : NOT retractable leads). You are right not to scold when your dog comes back to you .... even if he didn't respond without a great amount of effort from you. The reward for recall should always be a good one, in the eyes of your dog.

Also make sure your leadership (as viewed by your dog) is in place and that you control your dog's valuable resources. Pack drive is what is required for the control you need when you've graduated to off-lead work.

[Arya]

Does anyone have any tips on how best to prevent my dog running away when he is off-leash. I know that keeping him on-leash is the most sensible, but it really limits his ability to chase balls or frisbees or all of the other really fun "park" stuff! I'd like to one day be able to walk around the park with him off-leaseh without the concern that he is about to bolt off.

In addition to Arya's suggestion to read the thread by K9 Force, you also need to do more work on your recalls and proof them on lead. Long-lines are good for this (note : NOT retractable leads). You are right not to scold when your dog comes back to you .... even if he didn't respond without a great amount of effort from you. The reward for recall should always be a good one, in the eyes of your dog.

Also make sure your leadership (as viewed by your dog) is in place and that you control your dog's valuable resources. Pack drive is what is required for the control you need when you've graduated to off-lead work.

Oh, good point about NOT retractable leads Erny. I always forget this and HATE them really especially for big dogs, though I know some people love them for their smaller dogs

[Poodle wrangler]

What everyone else said.

I keep a few treats with me when we go for walks as extra motivation. I also practice calling them back (off leash) with treats, then let them go off again with a, "Go play". Keeps the recall positive. Our off leash beach has no traffic issues and often no other dogs there.

You're in no way depriving your dog by not letting them romp off leash with other dogs.

Have a read of all the horror stories of people's dogs being attacked unprovoked at off leash parks....people take their repeat offender dog aggressive dogs there . Makes great sense to work on a good recall first .