Walking off leash??

[RoxyLuv]

I would absolutely love to let Roxy off leash. However, I just don't have the courage. She comes when I call, but I still can't bring myself to do it. I feel sure that if something really caught her eye that she wanted to investigate, she wouldn't hear me at all... selective hearing. I'm just not willing to bet her life on if she will come in every situation.

[ARCHIE]

There is no reason, to ever take a chance, to have a beloved pet off leash
on a public street. What would be the reason anyhow? Just think of life
without your Yorkie that should keep the leash on.

[chachi]

I used to let mine off leash and then unexpectedly one time my Jewels ran out in front of a car and was almost hit. I would have never forgiven myself if she was hit. Its not worth the chance

[diane boden]

I regularly walk my two over our local county park, no cars alowed on much of it, so Alfie is alowed of leash as he's really good about staying close.Rosie is a different story as she has the habit of getting overly absorbed in smells and loves chasing things so only gets released when I'm sure I have full sight of her. If I see a larger dog I will put them straight on their leads as many dogs arn't walked regularly and aren't well socialised.

[Her Name Is Rio]

I would never walk Rio off leash. She gets spooked too easily and bolts. The only time she's been off leash is in the small dog section of our local dog park that is completely fenced in and separate from the big dog side. Better safe than sorry.

[MI Yorkielover]

Originally Posted by trin7

Wow - I guess this is what some people write in about asking for advice and they get responses that are just judgemental and not helpful at all.

Of course I was serious, I have only had big dogs before Doberman and Great Pyrenees mix. I live in a small town, right now we have snow banks built up which is the only reason I felt safe letting our pup off the leash. He was off for a total of 5 minutes while he ran back and forth from me to my daughter. This is a forum for information isn't it?? I appreciate the information that was given, reasons why people say it isn't safe, etc. but when someone new to the Yorkie world writes in, maybe people can offer information instead of the fast judgement which is very easy to do - I guess it empowers some but it kind of ticks others off.

I'm sorry you feel that way .
You asked if anyone lets their dog off leash and most posters are just offering their personal experiences and reasons as to why
we keep our leashes on.
Sorry if you felt it wasn't helpful.

[trin7]

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

I'm sorry you feel that way .
You asked if anyone lets their dog off leash and most posters are just offering their personal experiences and reasons as to why
we keep our leashes on.
Sorry if you felt it wasn't helpful.

I said I DID appreciate the advice of several people, I quoted Princess Mom, as she was asking if the OP was serious. Yes, I did take offence at that.

[trin7]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

There is no reason, to ever take a chance, to have a beloved pet off leash
on a public street. What would be the reason anyhow? Just think of life
without your Yorkie that should keep the leash on.

Hi - I agree totally - I never would walk our pup on a public street. When I wrote the letter, I had just gotten back from a walk from a sidewalk near a back field - absolutely no cars anywhere close to that. He is far to precious for that!

[Chili Dawg]

Originally Posted by trin7

Hi - just wondering if anyone regularly walks their Yorkies off leash. I haven't done this since Darwin was really young until today. He was really good and seemed to enjoy himself compared to being on the leash all of the time. I worry about other dogs and cars but it was fun letting him run with us. He seems to have a real conscious and usually comes when he's called. Love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

You named your dog Darwin? Ever hear of the Darwin Awards? Letting him roam off leash will probably get him an award one day sad to say. It only takes a second!

[MI Yorkielover]

Originally Posted by trin7

I said I DID appreciate the advice of several people, I quoted Princess Mom, as she was asking if the OP was serious. Yes, I did take offence at that.

I understand and hope you'll stay with us.

[gunnar08]

I visited my Dad in Idaho after Christmas and it snowed (2" maybe). My dad lives on a small cul-de-sac so I let walk Gunnar of leash and explore the snow (no snow where I live!). I stood in the street in case any cars came in. 10 mins tops.
I'd never let Gunnar off leash at home because my street can get busy and we have a lot of people walking their dogs. Donna

[trin7]

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

I understand and hope you'll stay with us.

Thank you - I normally feel very welcome - didn't think people would be thinking I was an idiot. Yes I let my dog run, no there were no cars anywhere around.

I've been very fortunate with my pets in my life. I lost my Doberman when she was 13 1/2 years old and just lost two of my cats within the last few months. They were both 15 years old and lived long and healthy lives. I still have a 14 year old cat. I have read several postings that I thought were a bit different but would never ever think about jumping in and judge people without getting more information.

Thank you again MI Yorkielover for understanding my frustration over this situation. It's people like you that keep peace in the world!

[yorkiepuppie]

Originally Posted by trin7

Thank you - I normally feel very welcome - didn't think people would be thinking I was an idiot. Yes I let my dog run, no there were no cars anywhere around.

I've been very fortunate with my pets in my life. I lost my Doberman when she was 13 1/2 years old and just lost two of my cats within the last few months. They were both 15 years old and lived long and healthy lives. I still have a 14 year old cat. I have read several postings that I thought were a bit different but would never ever think about jumping in and judge people without getting more information.

Thank you again MI Yorkielover for understanding my frustration over this situation. It's people like you that keep peace in the world!

hi. i just want you to know that usually i am more sensitive if i start a thread and ppl say something i might also be really sensitive to anything not 100% and i might interpret things negatively.

as an "outsider", since i didn't start this thread. reading the posts i believe that ppl are just being very protective of yorkies. i wouldn't interpret it as anyone thinking you're irresponsible or anything negative like that.

i certainly don't think you are irresponsible, because i don't think you would ask about it if you were irresponsible.

everyone's different. most ppl i meet think i am too protective of my dog. but i am ok with that, because i am more comfortable being overly protective.

[MaddiesMommie]

I live on a farm, down a backroad, with a pretty long driveway and a field between me and the dirt road I live on...aka the boonies! So, yes I let my girls out without a leash to potty or play. However, I always stay out to supervise.

[Britster]

I let Jackson off leash in certain areas. We live on 3 acres backing up to 90 acres of farmland and he's 90% reliable in coming when called. Of course, during the other 10% when he decides not to listen, luckily there's not much for him to get into with all that land. If you view my YouTube videos (my signature), you can see him off leash in our yard. Also, at a family members house, they live in a nice neighborhood far away from the main roads and are in a culdesac... a few times I've allowed Jackson to roam around a bit but I leave the leash hanging from his harness so he's easier to grab. I would never let him off leash near any main roads or unfamilar places. I have a 50 foot training leash that I've been working with him and let him go out all the 50 feet and then call him to me. So far he's doing pretty good.