But do those dogs look like they are having run when they are hit by a car? Do the parents look like there having fun when there well trained dog decides to follow its instincts and runs off chasing something?

I agree! I go with my instincts and my baby is never off leash in public. My children that couldnt stay where they were supposed to be,,at my heel,, wore bells on their shoes and if that didnt work there was a hand on that child at all times. A dog is going to want to put its nose to the ground and follow a sent,next thing it knows its lost. So mine stay on a leash unless they are in my fenced backyard and there are places in the yard they arent allowed to go.
So be over protective by others standards and be safe.

Trixie is not allowed off leash unless she is in the backyard which is small and completely fenced in. Even then, I usually keep an eye on her. I would not trust her to be off leash....even if she didn't run, a large dog or other animal could get her :eek: Not taking any chances.

I suppose there is never a right answer. Its not the same, but following the children comparison....when I was a kid, my mother let me play out without supervision, and the friendships and experiences I gained could not have been gained had she been with me all the time.

I would like Ellington to have the full 'animal' experience of running around the park, but as of yet, it won't happen. I will just see how it goes!

Howie is NEVER allowed off his lead except in his own back garden.

Agree 100 percent. The only time they are off leash is in the backyard or in the house. We have the added danger of them falling into the swimming pool. Rule is, if they are outside so is one of us or the sitter. Ole Zipp, b/c of old age/cateracts, falls in more than the others. He comes up paddling but would tire more quickly than the younger ones.

oh you are not at all being over protective. i never let ziggy off leash. firstly he has this bad habit of trying to attack passing cars :/ and people love walking their big dogs and while i have not had any problems, i would like to keep it that way. I say you are just being a good mommy

I think it's a bit different, too, when you are living in the country. On my dads street, all the dogs are allowed off leash and we know them all by name, and give them treats, they say their hellos and go back home - no main roads near, etc. It's just a different lifestyle. I don't totally agree w/ it, my dads house is the only house with a fenced in backyard that is actually utilized for our dogs, as ours aren't allowed free roam like that. But I could never imagine in a neighborhood the majority of ppl doing this, and how unsafe it would be.

For reference, here's my "backyard" at my moms house.


Not much for him to get into, but even so he'd NEVER be out without supervision and 90% of the time, he's on a long line.

No, you are being responsible, I wish more people were.

Brit you are a very responsible Yorkie mom too. I didn't want you to think my reply was in any way saying you are not. ( I saw your post after I replied. :D)

I NEVER let Gracie off leash. When she was a puppy she used to make a habit of rushing the door when ever it opened. She escaped a couple of times and my heart nearly stopped from trying to get her back. She thought it was great fun to run as fast as she could with all of us following us her in hot pursuit. I did not realize how fast such a tiny little dog could run:eek:! After we would catch her I would still be a wreck from the experience. I wish I had a place that she could be off lead so she could run and play but we have no such area around here.
I would not advise letting your dog off lead in an unconfined area. Even the best trained dog can spot a squirrel and be gone in an instant. It's not worth the risk. People hunt in my state and you would not believe the number of trained dogs that are lost every year. Their owners thought that they had them trained to return on command. Not!
I have Gracie micro chipped and she has her ID tags on but I would never take the chance of letting her off lead even for a second. She is one fast little girl. I take her for brisk walks twice a day. I get others to walk her also as I have a bad back injury that keeps me from going as fast as she would enjoy. I try to make up for the fact that she cannot run without freedom by giving her as much exercise as I can. She seems happy enough with that.

I agree with everyone. I took Max to Fort Desoto dog beach near St. Petersburg, Florida last weekend and I was a total mess. There was a park area where only little dogs were allowed and I let him run in the enclosed area for a couple minutes. Max was BY FAR!!! the smallest dog there. As far as the beach, I was the ONLY dog mommy holding my baby. I tried to put him down to walk and a medium sized dog (25lbs) immediately came to sniff him without an owner. All I could do was picture that dog biting Max and having to "handle the situation". We left abruptly and I don't think I will be going back although it really was a GREAT place for people with larger dogs. Maybe I'm too paranoid! ;)

I don't think I would ever let my Yorkie walk unleashed. He is 4 months and hasn't yet touched foot outside or in a public place. I tried having him walk with a leash indoors to get him use to it and he looked at me like.. Ummm what are you doing mommy. I see puppy classes for him in the near future.

There are a myriad of reasons I wouldn't let any dog off leash; the main ones being that Yorkies are usually pretty small and agile and can get away if they feel like it even if they are normally good at coming when called. Also though, not everybody likes dogs so unless I was in a fenced in area with people I know are comfortable having a dog run around them I wouldn't let any dog off leash. It's a politeness thing too.