Signs your dog is ready to run loose
What do you feel would be a good benchmark to attain before letting your dog go "loose"? On a slightly related topic. As with many other forum members, my pup goes bananas over cars. Jumping, lunging, barking. I often wonder what would happen if I let her loose (I would never do it of course). Would she really run right up to the car and possibly get hurt ? Or would she just dart around barking and acting wild ? Is all the jumping and barking just false bravado ? Or would she really try to "control" the car? Thanks much for any insight you might have. |
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| My advice: no way! I don't think it's ever a good idea to let a dog run loose in any area that wasn't completely secured, or designated for dogs. Most places have leash laws that would prevent that too-- for both the dog's safety and others.
If the purpose is to socialize the dog, try a dog park, where it's safe to let your dog off leash, or if you don't have a dog park around, perhaps have some dogs over to play in your fenced in yard so your dog gets some interaction with other dogs. Or maybe a training class or doggy day care?There's just way too much potential for bad things to happen off lead in public, particularly, like you said, when you're only at about 30% recall success. Throw a rabbit or an interesting squirrel into the mix and you'll lose whatever control you might have had to begin with. |
| Hmmm...there is a lot to consider at a huge dog park. I don't think it's a requirement to go to one, but it is important that your dog is socialized with other dogs. You may want to start out with inviting a playmate to run around in your backyard.
We recently took our 4 month old puppy to a very large dog park which was in a forest preserve. If it wasn't for my strong desire to meet other forum sheepdog owners, we probably wouldn't have taken him there. However, I knew that there would be several people looking out for him so I wasn't as worried had I been alone. I was very surprised that he did listen to us fairly well except for when he followed another dog into the lake. I was frightened but he was okay and didn't go very far. I would also help if your dog did have a word that he responded to 99% of the time. Ours is "TREAT"; he comes when he knows something good will follow. If cars are moving, definitely don't let him "check" them out. He could get critically injured. Hope this helps! |
| I agree, Jill.
It's just too dangerous! My dogs are never outside a fenced in area unless they're on a leash. I just can't trust them. Their recall is not that good. The few times they have "escaped", they've led me on wild goose chases through the neighborhood and typically end up with them running up to a neighbor (anyone but Mom -right?) who holds them until I come with a leash. 
If you want them to interact with other dogs, which is a great idea, a secure dog park or socialization classes is the way to go.  |
| I wouldn't let even a reliable dog run loose but that's just me.
A dog who is not reliable, definitely not. I'd say stick to fenced areas, and I wouldn't try even a dog park that is too big, in case she does get out of control. If there is an altercation between other dogs for example, you'd want to know she'd come when called to keep her out of danger. |
| We only have one dog and she will be two in AUgust. We live out in the counrty on a road wich is not travled frequently. We never have her on a leash, but we have achieved 100% recall all of the time. No matter what she is doing, wether it be chasing another dog or a rabbit she comes back when we call her. Unfortunatley this has only been happening with certantity since our otherdog was killed, ironically by being hit by a car. But that had some extenuating circumstances. I guess my point is if you trust your dog 100% of the time to come back then go for it but it doesn't sound like it. I think that having a playmateover in your yard on your dogs turf would be a good way to start out. I didn't mean to take over your thread
Shannon |
| I would say no way, you could be setting yourself up for a potential tragedy. All it takes is one time for something to go wrong and you would never forgive yourself. |
| Thanks for the responses. We do have play dates in our yard with other neighborhood dogs.
I should further qualify my 30% recall rate. She will "come" 30% of the time, but it's still only a 5% chance I can quickly get her on the leash after she comes. She bolts when you make a move for the collar, unless I hold a piece of cheese in plain sight. |
| I would say that unless she comes almost 100% of the time called, you should not let her run loose, especially if there are cars around.
All my dogs will come on command, and I do let them run sometimes in unfenced parks, but it has to be on a very controlled basis. |
| In my opinion, ABSOLUTELY NO WAY unless it's in a totally enclosed area like a dog park.
Until you have 99% recall (including getting the leash on.) But that's just my opinion. My dog who is really good with recall, will get distracted when out and about and make recall tough. So anytime he is offleash (last time was about 4-6 weeks ago when he rolled around in turkey poop in my unenclosed back yard) it's likely to be in a very controlled environment. |
| My two sheepies are different. Max can be let off leash and hang out with me while I do gardening in front of the house. He won't go more than one house away because he is scared. I do live on a road that is off a road that there is not exit off of, so traffic is rare. Plus every neighbor that I can see from my house has dogs, so we are all carefull. On the other hand, Miller, runs like the wind, he is not afraid of anyone and is so curious about everything and anybody. Especially now that a bunch of young guys moved in across the street. I brought him over there once, and he would not leave - he is a GUYS Dog, completley. So if he does get out I know where to find him atleast..... |
johnrtalbot wrote: On a slightly related topic. As with many other forum members, my pup goes bananas over cars. Jumping, lunging, barking. I often wonder what would happen if I let her loose (I would never do it of course). Would she really run right up to the car and possibly get hurt ? Or would she just dart around barking and acting wild ? Is all the jumping and barking just false bravado ? Or would she really try to "control" the car? Thanks much for any insight you might have. My Tecumseh had pushed his way out the door and yes....tried herding a car  He was very lucky and ran into the side of it instead of infront. We were very very lucky, and I would say that most of them will. |
Quote: What do you feel would be a good benchmark to attain before letting your dog go "loose"?
Never. A dog should never be off a leash unless in a secured area. All it takes is one time for a failed recall and your dog could be gone forever. The trainer we have now told us about two friends who were also trainers. Within a couple of weeks of each other their dogs were killed by cars. So even with the most well trained dog, it only that one time that the dog won't come to end it's life. As for the lunging at cars... My opinion is if you let her off leash you will be going home with just the leash. If she is so out of control when a car passes, she has no fear of them... she doesn't understand the harm they can do. Personally I think it's time to find ways to stop this particular behavior... maybe a professional trainer. My uncle's Sheltie liked to chase cars and one day ended up under one. |
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