Are we teaching our babies to bolt?

[Karrie]

In general - we don't use a leash. We live on 3 ac - lots of room to run and explore. Truth be told, I was aprehensive about not using a leash - but a leash is so restrictive and we wouldn't enjoy Bailey as much with it.

Yes, the "come" comand is the #1 command. Bailey is very good at it. Its the one command that she always gets a treat - ALWAYS. If we don't take a leash outside, we take treats.

As a back up - we also play "tag you're it". Dogs love to chase - so bend over reach for the dog and say "tag you're it", then run the other direction. Its a fun game. Once the dog understands how it works - you can yell it across the yard, run the other direction and here she comes! The reward is a few seconds of praise and play.

[adkins7]

It is A scary thing at first to let your dog off it's leasch,I worked with my Doberman in the back yard for awhile then gradually began letting the leasch go at times during our daily walk and he stayed right on track with me and never wondered off.But my other dog is totally the opposite

[kwaymon]

I think it's a good idea. However, when I'm in my front yard and Tucker is off leash I worry. Not because he leaves the yard, but because of other dogs who come by off leash ya know? His off- leash in the front yard experiences are becoming fewer and fewer because of this.

[MaxwellHouse]

My first yorkie, Brutus, would stay off leash no problem, but Maxwell sees a deer or any creature an he'd be gone. I use the 26 foot retractable when we are in the yard so he feels almost free.