Any tips on how to train a one year old pup how to go off leash without taking off?

[Jetsicle]

We have a 12 Year old Lab that we have had since she was a pup. We recently adopted a one year old Blue Heeler Border Collie Cross. The new pup is a rescue dog and is easily distracted. He knows all his basic comands such as sit, come, and all that stuff but does not come back once let off leash. He sets his attention on the first set of dogs he sees and is gone. He does not respond to his name or even acknowledge the sound of your voice. Any tips or advice.

[GretaJack]

My advice, don't take him off leash. Not dog should ever be off leash outside of a confined area until you have 100% recall on a come command. And never issue a command that you cannot enforce. Meaning, if you have no way to make him come to you when called, do not call him. I know that a 6 foot lead seems very restricting and that dogs deserve more freedom than that. I tell everyone that is in my obedience class to invest in a long line (mine is 50 feet) or a long rope. Let your dog drag it around. It serves two purposes. First, for me, I only have to be within 50 feet to enforce a come command. i find the end of the lead, give my command and start pulling the dog toward me, requiring that he obeys. He does not have an option. Secondly, it is a good safetly line. You see your dog take off toward the road, or the neighbors and you are going to have more of a chance to catch him or have him slowed down by getting the line caught some where.

The worst thing that you can be doing is calling him and allowing him to not obey. That is a recipe for disaster. "I only have to obey when I want where I want." You have a very strong willed dog I am guessing by the breeds. I am sure almost too smart for his own good as well. You are going to have to be patient and persistant with him and I am sure it will turn out well. Good luck!

[eXile]

Excelent Advice Greta I will just do a bit of adding if you mind

First off just wanna say WELCOME and congratulations on your new dog. Greta has give you the main schpeal. Like she said, get a long line. With long lines a dog can feel as if hes off leash and you will still be incontrol of a come if ever needed. Most dog trainers like this method aswell. What i like to do is put on a prong collar and if Oscar doesnt come i tug leash and hes gets a correction. Usually comes running back, if not, the i tug it again. It works very well. My dog also gets distracted easily and wouldnt dare even respond to mine when off-leash like your does. Over time the recall will be come more reliable as you practise more and add more distraction for eg, coming from a play group, greeting other owners, sniffing etc etc...BUT i recommend you join a club immediatly. Considering they are pros they will give you the best advice on how to achieve a reliable recall and what method to use (theres lots) for your dog and will also teach ALOT more.

Hope i helped.

[Moo]

Agreeing with all above.

You may also want to go out, i.e, the dog park, and sit, dog on leash. Just to work the distraction factor. Many dogs are brilliant at home, but once you leave the house, they're a terror. Hmm... I know a white dog just like that. lol. Even practise on your front step. Sit stay there.

Obedience school would be great. I'm a firm believer that every dog should go to at least one set of structured obedience classes, even if the owner is an experienced trainer.

[GretaJack]

Oh, I agree Moo. Obedience school is as much for the dog as for the owner, and for an experienced owner, it is good for the dog for socialization and self control. Even if I raised the perfect dog at home, he is never going to be perfect in a strange environment

[Jetsicle]

Thanks for all the advice. I have been taking Brunsen to the off leash park and do have a long leader ( 30' ?). We have been making sure to call him frequently and praise him if he responds and if he does not we give the leash a bit of a yank till he comes. He knows that he is supposed to be listening and pays attention while on the leash in most situations. Maybe we just tried to let him off to soon. He is a very intelligent dog and a fast learner, hopefully it will work itself out, I will look into the obedience classes for sure. Our older dog was much easier as she is completely food motivated but Brunsen doesnt seem to care about the dog treats at all.

[GretaJack]

You have a lab- of course it is going to be food motivated, LOL! Most people's biggest mistake is going off leash too quickly. You want to be free of the leash and you want your dog to be free as well. Very common. Keep up all the work that you have been doing! It will pay off in the long run.

[eXile]

Exactly. I agree with Greta 100 percent. A dog must be perfect on leash to get any freedom off-leash. I know how you feel though, i loved dog parks and still do but i dont really like take my dog offleash(hes a lab) because getting him back is just ****.

[GretaJack]

I do let all three of mine off leash at the dog park. But it is not very big and is completely fenced in. I have no worries about my dogs running away. The dog park is dog time. I let them act like the idiots I know they are. I do not call my dogs when I am ready to leave. I just walk to the gate. They always know where I am.

All the other people out there are great for the most part. We all know each other. Many have no problem giving a knee to a dog the jumps. We all help each other out.

I love it because Tanner is not even 50% reliable on any command yet. But it gives him the ability to be the dog I know he wants to be and gets to burn off his excess engery. But in a dog park that you can't see all boundaries or would take you more then 7-10 minutes to walk from one side to the other, sorry I would stay on leash.

[Jetsicle]

Thank you everyone for all the help, it has only been a few days but we let Brunsen off leash last night for the first time and he was a little angel. No more taking off and staying fairly close, with the exception of when he felt the urge to go play with a dog or two. We now have, however developed a potential completely new problem. Or Lab, Bianca, sort of charges at other dogs and barks and does a run by before she stops to sniff and play. Brunsen has taken to running with her and sometimes barking as well. Being from the Blue Heeler, Border Collie background that he is and being a nipper by nature there is some concern that he will start not only the charge and the bark but nipping as well. We are currently trying to tell him that the barking is bad but not really sure how to prevent it.