How to train my yorkie to walk off the leash - YorkieTalk.com Forums

stinkygummybear · 11-08-2010, 06:19 PM

I mean I really don't trust him to let him off the leash. Any tips on how to start walking him without one??

Britster · 11-08-2010, 06:25 PM

I just posted this in a previous thread, so I'll just copy/paste:

Coming when called is sooo super important and probably one of the hardest things to teach, to a terrier anyways. That's what I've found. It all depends individually on each dog but terriers are known to be harder to off leash train because of their instincts.

I am still working with Jackson continually. He used to be off leash a lot more, but once he turned 1 years old, he became a lot less reliable because I never formally taught a solid recall. We live on 3 acres with no fence. He has gotten out a few times when a door has been left open (grrrr... stepdad's doing!) He doesn't typically dart, he just kinda walks out like "oh, cool, a door is open" and goes exploring, lol. The last 3 times he's gotten out, he's come right back to me so I think our training has been working. However, for the last year, he hasn't really been allowed off leash at ALL outside of a fence, only the 50 foot line. He used to just stay close to my moms dog so I never taught him officially how to be off leash, but once she died, no longer.

I try to use a REALLY rewarding treat like hot dog, cheese, chicken, steak, etc when practicing coming when called. I bought a 50foot training lead (Petsmart has these for around $10-$12) and I let him go all the way out 50 feet and then call him to me... so it's almost like he's off leash, but IF he happened to run off, he's still safe at the end of that 50 feet. I also found he responds better to "here" than "come". I don't know why. So you can try different words and phrases.

I'm lucky that my dad has a big fenced in yard and we also have a nice dog park. Both are nice places to practice recall. I always keep a few treats in my pocket at the dog park and will randomly say "Jackson, here!" and he responds REALLY well most of the time now at the dog park (with lots of distractions). It's been a nice place to incorporate training. As well as our agility class.

Basically: Practice, practice, practice! Don't use the word "come" or "here" if you know they are NOT going to come. Set them up for success. If you overuse any word, they become 'immune' to it and don't really understand the meaning behind the word. If you keep saying "Come!" and they're not coming... that word is worthless. ONLY say 'come!' when you know they are going to, or after they do.

Here's a good article:
Dog Emergency Recall Command

This Youtube account has amazing videos and she is making a whole series about recall and coming when called. She's got around 10 videos right now of games you can play.
YouTube - pamelamarxsen's Channel

The key is making YOU be exciting. Make it so your dog wants to come to you, and has fun while doing it. There's also a few things you can do in emergency situations like get on the ground, so that your dog looks at you and is curious as to what you are doing and comes over to explore. I saw this on It's Me or the Dog.

Basically, it takes practice. Jackson is a really well trained dog and I honestly think he'd probably be fine off leash but I still don't really purposely risk it. He does his agility classes all off leash and sticks by me for the entire hour class, so it gives me confidence. I take him to a big open beach with my aunt where her dog goes off leash but I keep him on the 50ft line still... I think he'd probably be okay but I'M too nervous. I think I just want to be 100 percent confident. I'm at about 99 percent right now.

Lorraine · 11-08-2010, 07:19 PM

That is something I would never advise doing, walking off leash. Too easy for them to get frightened or spot something, easily run over by a car for which they are no match or panic run and you will be hardpressed to find your dog.
I always warn any prospective puppy/dog buyers for one of my yorkies, NEVER have it off leash unless in the house or in a safe fenced yard.
I have seen too many off leash dogs get killed.

Lovetodream88 · 11-08-2010, 09:18 PM

Personally no matter how well a dog is trained I would never ever trust one off leash unless in a fenced in area. Dogs still have instincts wether they are trained excellently or not.

yorkieusa · 11-08-2010, 09:22 PM

I've read too many horror stories to ever let one walk off-leash, except in a fenced yard.

stinkygummybear · 11-08-2010, 09:30 PM

ok guys thanks for the tips...i guess i wont be training him off the leash

FlDebra · 11-08-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorraine

That is something I would never advise doing, walking off leash. Too easy for them to get frightened or spot something, easily run over by a car for which they are no match or panic run and you will be hardpressed to find your dog.
I always warn any prospective puppy/dog buyers for one of my yorkies, NEVER have it off leash unless in the house or in a safe fenced yard.
I have seen too many off leash dogs get killed.

I agree. But I also think a good emergency recall command is important. I have only tried that in our yard. Luckily I have an acre of our property fenced for them. I just would never let them out in public unleashed. So many things can happen. A couple of years ago, a hawk tried to take off with a dachshund in someone's own front yard. The pics looked like a typical residential area. If not for the leash, they would never have gotten the baby back down where they could get their hands on it. There are many stoires on here where owners have had to rescue their pups by pulling the leash/halter and puppy right off the ground to safety. I am not as fast as I used to be and have no doubt mine could all outrun me. They wouldn't do it normally, but fear can make them do all sorts of out of character things.

Okay I have made a long post out of this when all I really needed to say was "same as above."

Britster · 11-09-2010, 11:55 AM

I think a lot of dogs are perfectly capable to be off leash, but they have to earn it. Certain breeds were bred to work by their human, that's why you often see German Shepherds, Border Collie's, etc, off leash, but they still have to be trained. Also, never do it by a road, obviously. But I have a 90 acre farmfield nowhere near a road where I used to allow Jackson off leash and hopefully will again someday when I have 100 percent confidence in him. Also, I go to a beach that is nowhere close to a road and way far in the back of a residential neighborhood but I don't do it yet because I don't trust him fully. However, my aunt's Pit Bull is 100 percent perfect off leash and has been for 8yrs, but he was never 'trained' to be like that. Check out YT user alaskayorkie, his Yorkies are perfect off leash. So it is possible.

JenniferLeigh · 11-09-2010, 12:45 PM

You could start off by training her to recall in smaller fenced area, then graduate to a large fenced area with more distractions like an off leash park. I let her run but she stays close and if she gets to far I whistle for her to return.

I've walked Lexi in our off leash park since she was a puppy - it is semi fenced. I'm 95% confident in her recall abilities however that doesn't mean I'm going to trot down the street with her off leash. I just can't risk it, there are too many factors.

There is a guy who frequents out park who walks his two dogs off leash always. I am always amazed by their obedience. When we approach him both of his dogs (one border collie, one small and white) both lay down and wait for us to pass. He has really got these dogs trained and I believe he is possibly the exception here!

11-08-2010, 06:19 PM	#1
stinkygummybear Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: los angeles, ca usa Posts: 142	How to train my yorkie to walk off the leash I mean I really don't trust him to let him off the leash. Any tips on how to start walking him without one??

11-08-2010, 06:25 PM	#2
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	I just posted this in a previous thread, so I'll just copy/paste: Coming when called is sooo super important and probably one of the hardest things to teach, to a terrier anyways. That's what I've found. It all depends individually on each dog but terriers are known to be harder to off leash train because of their instincts. I am still working with Jackson continually. He used to be off leash a lot more, but once he turned 1 years old, he became a lot less reliable because I never formally taught a solid recall. We live on 3 acres with no fence. He has gotten out a few times when a door has been left open (grrrr... stepdad's doing!) He doesn't typically dart, he just kinda walks out like "oh, cool, a door is open" and goes exploring, lol. The last 3 times he's gotten out, he's come right back to me so I think our training has been working. However, for the last year, he hasn't really been allowed off leash at ALL outside of a fence, only the 50 foot line. He used to just stay close to my moms dog so I never taught him officially how to be off leash, but once she died, no longer. I try to use a REALLY rewarding treat like hot dog, cheese, chicken, steak, etc when practicing coming when called. I bought a 50foot training lead (Petsmart has these for around $10-$12) and I let him go all the way out 50 feet and then call him to me... so it's almost like he's off leash, but IF he happened to run off, he's still safe at the end of that 50 feet. I also found he responds better to "here" than "come". I don't know why. So you can try different words and phrases. I'm lucky that my dad has a big fenced in yard and we also have a nice dog park. Both are nice places to practice recall. I always keep a few treats in my pocket at the dog park and will randomly say "Jackson, here!" and he responds REALLY well most of the time now at the dog park (with lots of distractions). It's been a nice place to incorporate training. As well as our agility class. Basically: Practice, practice, practice! Don't use the word "come" or "here" if you know they are NOT going to come. Set them up for success. If you overuse any word, they become 'immune' to it and don't really understand the meaning behind the word. If you keep saying "Come!" and they're not coming... that word is worthless. ONLY say 'come!' when you know they are going to, or after they do. Here's a good article: Dog Emergency Recall Command This Youtube account has amazing videos and she is making a whole series about recall and coming when called. She's got around 10 videos right now of games you can play. YouTube - pamelamarxsen's Channel The key is making YOU be exciting. Make it so your dog wants to come to you, and has fun while doing it. There's also a few things you can do in emergency situations like get on the ground, so that your dog looks at you and is curious as to what you are doing and comes over to explore. I saw this on It's Me or the Dog. Basically, it takes practice. Jackson is a really well trained dog and I honestly think he'd probably be fine off leash but I still don't really purposely risk it. He does his agility classes all off leash and sticks by me for the entire hour class, so it gives me confidence. I take him to a big open beach with my aunt where her dog goes off leash but I keep him on the 50ft line still... I think he'd probably be okay but I'M too nervous. I think I just want to be 100 percent confident. I'm at about 99 percent right now. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

11-08-2010, 07:19 PM	#3
Lorraine Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 2,060	That is something I would never advise doing, walking off leash. Too easy for them to get frightened or spot something, easily run over by a car for which they are no match or panic run and you will be hardpressed to find your dog. I always warn any prospective puppy/dog buyers for one of my yorkies, NEVER have it off leash unless in the house or in a safe fenced yard. I have seen too many off leash dogs get killed. __________________ Lorraine www.loribenyorkies.com Canada

11-08-2010, 09:18 PM	#4
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	Personally no matter how well a dog is trained I would never ever trust one off leash unless in a fenced in area. Dogs still have instincts wether they are trained excellently or not. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

11-08-2010, 09:22 PM	#5
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	I've read too many horror stories to ever let one walk off-leash, except in a fenced yard. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

11-08-2010, 09:30 PM	#6
stinkygummybear Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: los angeles, ca usa Posts: 142	ok guys thanks for the tips...i guess i wont be training him off the leash

11-09-2010, 11:55 AM	#8
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	I think a lot of dogs are perfectly capable to be off leash, but they have to earn it. Certain breeds were bred to work by their human, that's why you often see German Shepherds, Border Collie's, etc, off leash, but they still have to be trained. Also, never do it by a road, obviously. But I have a 90 acre farmfield nowhere near a road where I used to allow Jackson off leash and hopefully will again someday when I have 100 percent confidence in him. Also, I go to a beach that is nowhere close to a road and way far in the back of a residential neighborhood but I don't do it yet because I don't trust him fully. However, my aunt's Pit Bull is 100 percent perfect off leash and has been for 8yrs, but he was never 'trained' to be like that. Check out YT user alaskayorkie, his Yorkies are perfect off leash. So it is possible. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

11-09-2010, 12:45 PM	#9
JenniferLeigh YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 357 Blog Entries: 1	You could start off by training her to recall in smaller fenced area, then graduate to a large fenced area with more distractions like an off leash park. I let her run but she stays close and if she gets to far I whistle for her to return. I've walked Lexi in our off leash park since she was a puppy - it is semi fenced. I'm 95% confident in her recall abilities however that doesn't mean I'm going to trot down the street with her off leash. I just can't risk it, there are too many factors. There is a guy who frequents out park who walks his two dogs off leash always. I am always amazed by their obedience. When we approach him both of his dogs (one border collie, one small and white) both lay down and wait for us to pass. He has really got these dogs trained and I believe he is possibly the exception here! __________________ Jennifer Leigh