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Old 07-20-2009, 05:12 PM   #1
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Animal Smiley 019 Off leash training

Anyone have a Yorkie who will walk beside them without a leash if necessary?

I need some tips!

Would it be best to train on a long, retractable leash or maybe just a long regular leash, short leash, etc? I know a good yummy treat should probably come into play, but what if I don't have treats on me, etc?

Basically, I live on a "farm" and we own 3 acres but there is 90 acres of farmland behind us. My mom has a 4 year old cockapoo who goes outside off leash and she doesn't go anywhere. I'm not going to ever let Jackson outside off leash without me being there... But I would love for him to be able to run around without being on a leash and without me worrying so much.

See, when he was younger, he never ever wandered and would stay close by to my mom's dog and me. As he's gotten older ( 9 months ) he's obviously becoming more curious. There's horses about a mile down and if he gets a whiff of horse smell, he will run down there and run along the fence to look at the horses.

Anyways, I'm rambling... the thing is, I think he's totally capable of learning to stay close by, the road is very far away, it's all field behind us, which when he does get off leash, he doesn't go into it.

But I'd just like some tips for generally speaking off-leash training. And should I not EVER fully trust him? I would never let him off leash near a busy street/road, or in a town, or anything, but I just mean if I'm in my own backyard, un-fenced, or someone else's yard.
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Old 07-20-2009, 06:16 PM   #2
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I would get a long lead like 60 feet and maybe even 2 long leads together and work your way up to off lead. Good luck! I'm sure you'll be able to do it!

PS Zoe's favorite treat is cheese.
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Old 07-20-2009, 06:26 PM   #3
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Some may not like this but Buddy, who will be 16 this Friday. Has never been on a leash until about 2 years ago.

He knew his boundaries. If he went off his boundary he would get a one finger whipping and a very loud voice. He only left his boundary maybe 2 or 3 times.

I don't know if this will work with the next dog I may get. Because I was a lot younger and was always by "his" side. He was never more than a foot from me when he was out.

Last edited by yorkiehugs; 07-20-2009 at 06:29 PM. Reason: add sentence
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Old 07-20-2009, 06:53 PM   #4
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I would not let either of my two off leash somewhere that is not fenced in. I don't trust them. Loki would run to bark at another dog, Sammy would go after a bird, squirrel or kid (to lick!) I can't control them when they get into their little crazes, I think it's a terrier thing. I'm not against off-leash dogs - my next door neighbor's labs are always off leash and they are wonderful dogs. Mine come when called, mostly, and we've done obedience and they do listen in the house but one distraction and BOOM they are gone. Luckily only to the end of a flexi.

Terriers are just not as easy to control off leash as labs and other dogs. Squirrels are 100 times more interesting than even a freshly cooked steak to Sam.
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Old 07-20-2009, 07:27 PM   #5
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Hey Brittany,
My Diva is very rarely on a leash unless we are away from home. I don't really know how we did it... it jsut happened. I do know that in the beginning, when she was a pup, I used to take her out really early when noone else was out and late at night and she just never would leave me...now if she saw someone she knew(a neighbor or kid may call out to her), then she'd go running to them but nothing off into the distance. Sure she'd see a bird, squirrel, etc. but if it was far enough off, she'd just perk her ears but never took an interest into running after it..if it were fairly close, like a few feet she may kinda dash towards it a little but come right back.

If you want to start trying it and you say(if I read correctly) that he would run down by the horses, then come back, I would treat him every single time he came back... So every single time he left your side, then returned to your side, treat him... something like that. Now, I'm not trainer of course but going but the treat, treat, treat, for good behavior theory, I'd try that.

Good luck...Let us know how it works. Also, he is still a puppy. I think as they get older, they'll definitely settle down a little bit more as time goes on.
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Old 07-20-2009, 07:35 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erin View Post
I would not let either of my two off leash somewhere that is not fenced in. I don't trust them. Loki would run to bark at another dog, Sammy would go after a bird, squirrel or kid (to lick!) I can't control them when they get into their little crazes, I think it's a terrier thing. I'm not against off-leash dogs - my next door neighbor's labs are always off leash and they are wonderful dogs. Mine come when called, mostly, and we've done obedience and they do listen in the house but one distraction and BOOM they are gone. Luckily only to the end of a flexi.

Terriers are just not as easy to control off leash as labs and other dogs. Squirrels are 100 times more interesting than even a freshly cooked steak to Sam.
i agree. sometimes that terrier attitude is just too much for them to handle.

My yard is not fenced in, however i let morgan outside in the backyard without a leash while i stand in the doorway and watch her. she stays in the yard, does her thing, and then runs back inside. However i need to keep a close eye on her because if she sees another animal or a person she will go running after it. If my neighbor comes out into their backyard morgan will go running over to her and completely ignore me. its like her hearing has suddenly switched off and she can't focus on anything except her target.

I'd be very careful on a farm especially since you said he's already interested in the horses. There have been threads on here about yorkies getting hurt by horses.
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Old 07-20-2009, 07:48 PM   #7
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I sometimes take Scruffs off leash on walks just to neighbors houses (I do house and pet sitting). I make sure that he is heeling right behind me and recently he has gotten a lot better and doesn't stop to sniff, run up to a person, chase a squirrel, or meet a dog. Yesterday we walked by an off leash dog and he stayed right with me. I don't know how I trained him. I think it was because I was consistent with saying "hey, heel" and I'd snap and point and he would follow. I think if you say hey in a firm voice instead of NONONO STAY it works a lot better.

First work on off leash heeling, then coming in your backyard, then move to a quiet park, and eventually a busier park. Make sure it is no where he can get hurt and not near a busy street.
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Old 07-20-2009, 09:13 PM   #8
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Wow 3 acres, that sounds awesome, lots of room to run around. I've always wondered what Uni would do if she had a big field to play in.

Anyway, Uni always walks better off leash. I usually do this in my own neighborhood, and not if we are going to a store or something, but during our walks she is more attentive to me when she is off. Also at work, after I finish lunch or dinner, I will ask her "Do you want to take out the trash?" and she will get all excited and we will walk to the trash can and back to the shop, and she gets a treat when we get back. If we happen to walk past a person and she stops to greet them, or she walks off the sidewalk, she doesn't get a treat when we get back, and she gets a 1 min time out on her bed.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is when you are off leash make sure Jackson sees a treat in your hand, so he will watch you all the time. Hold the treat up near chin level so he can see your face as he is staring at the treat. (Also this is how you teach "watch me" if he doesn't already know that.)

Slowly increase the distance that you walk off leash. My bf even walked her over to the Subway at the other end of the plaza this way and she did great.
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Old 07-22-2009, 07:01 AM   #9
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You have the best situation there
You don't have to really worry about him getting into traffic
or into any real trouble
I would suggest clicker training with him

while on a lead
have a clicker in your hand
and give him treats every few secs or so
each time click on the clicker

do this in the house too so he gets the message ....
hey everytime I hear the clicker
I get a treat

and soon you'll have him running to you where ever and when ever you click the clicker
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Old 07-22-2009, 07:05 AM   #10
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Nolee will walk off leash. I'm not sure I totally trust him though! If my DH is around, he does listen to him. He is 2 now. When he was younger, I had to keep him on a leash. He just seemed to calm down now that he is older. Maybe if I would have trained him from a pup, he would have learned this quicker! Good Luck!
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Old 07-23-2009, 06:45 PM   #11
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Thanks for all the tips/comments/help!

I'll be working on this for sure and update on his "progress!"
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Old 07-25-2009, 08:12 AM   #12
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Oh, and boiled chicken gets Scruffs attention really well!!! Yesterday we walked behind two dogs and he still stayed with me. Don't get him too excited. I found he listens to me now ever since I make him sit before going outside, not one paw on the furniture (other times I bring him up since he is so cute), sleeping in crate, etc. I can see the difference, since when I first got him he never listened to me. Maybe he is just special but I've never had or watched a dog listen to me like him.
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Old 07-26-2009, 10:21 AM   #13
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We have three acres too - and Bailey is an off-leash dog. What freedom they must feel when there is no leash!!

I was real hesitant in the beginning - but hubby was insistant. He wasn't going to have a dog that had to be on a leash - and our 3 ac. is not fenced. I absolutely love, love, love it!

I believe that off-leash is a dog-by-dog (or owner-by-owner) situation. Bailey has always been subordinate to us and comes when called. We treat every time. I believe in the clicker method - although I don't use a clicker - I use a key word "yes" - which is my promise to treat. Its a promise I never, ever break. I use this method for two reasons: I always have by voice with me; I don't always have treats with me - so I can mark the good behavior and follow up with a treat as soon as they are available - where ever they may be (in the house, in the freezer, on the porch - they're everywhere!).

I was worried about the squirells and the rabbits and the birds, etc. which would cause her to run and not listen - but fortunately, she has "stopped" at every command.

Truth be told, her behavior has gotten better as she has gotten older. The first year was tough as everything was new, lots of smells and distractions. But after the first year - she's been absolutely wonderful!

Obviously, if we have chores to do and we can't give her our undivided attention, then she stays in the house.

I have to brag about Bailey. This year, the moles have been numerous. So Bailey helps us find the runs so we can set traps. Also, we have a pond in the back which attracts geese (and goose poop) - so we've trained Bailey to run 'em off. She earns her keep 'round here!!!

Good luck!! I believe in leash-free - but its not for every dog or everyone..
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Old 07-26-2009, 09:39 PM   #14
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Yes I have one that will walk by me. come when called and down when asked ok ok we are a little shakey on that one as we have not worked it of late.

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Old 07-27-2009, 06:57 AM   #15
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Quote:
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We have three acres too - and Bailey is an off-leash dog. What freedom they must feel when there is no leash!!

I was real hesitant in the beginning - but hubby was insistant. He wasn't going to have a dog that had to be on a leash - and our 3 ac. is not fenced. I absolutely love, love, love it!

I believe that off-leash is a dog-by-dog (or owner-by-owner) situation. Bailey has always been subordinate to us and comes when called. We treat every time. I believe in the clicker method - although I don't use a clicker - I use a key word "yes" - which is my promise to treat. Its a promise I never, ever break. I use this method for two reasons: I always have by voice with me; I don't always have treats with me - so I can mark the good behavior and follow up with a treat as soon as they are available - where ever they may be (in the house, in the freezer, on the porch - they're everywhere!).

I was worried about the squirells and the rabbits and the birds, etc. which would cause her to run and not listen - but fortunately, she has "stopped" at every command.

Truth be told, her behavior has gotten better as she has gotten older. The first year was tough as everything was new, lots of smells and distractions. But after the first year - she's been absolutely wonderful!

Obviously, if we have chores to do and we can't give her our undivided attention, then she stays in the house.

I have to brag about Bailey. This year, the moles have been numerous. So Bailey helps us find the runs so we can set traps. Also, we have a pond in the back which attracts geese (and goose poop) - so we've trained Bailey to run 'em off. She earns her keep 'round here!!!

Good luck!! I believe in leash-free - but its not for every dog or everyone..
Thank you, I love hearing a similar situation to ours.

Yes, I've always given Jackson a treat when he comes in from being outside, so that helps a lot. Like I said, as a pup, I never had him on a leash but as he's gotten a lil' older at 9 months, he's more curious and willing to go off by himself than he was before...

However, yesterday and this morning, I let him out without a leash and did absolutely fine, no really far running off or anything, and he came running in the house by himself, so I guess it's just part of age as well! I'm hoping once he turns a year, he will be more trustworthy! And I will keep working with him for sure.

That is soo cute Bailey helps you guys out. That is awesome! That's such a perfect life for a dog, I'm sure she just completely loves it.

My mom's dog is the same way. She's a 4yr old cockapoo who is such a little hunter. She was trying to get a groundhog the other day!
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