It is our responsibility as dog owners to be aware of our dogs' behaviour 100 per cent of the time when we are out in public.
Off leash does not imply a dog is allowed to do whatever it wants, wherever it wants. It also doesn't mean a dog owner is allowed to ignore their dog's behaviour.
It does mean that the owner must be ever more diligent and responsible for their dog's behaviour as they no longer have that safety net of a leash to manage inappropriate behaviour.
As I mentioned in last week's column, dog owners seem to be in a rush to let their dogs off leash, whether it's a puppy or an adopted adult dog. Off-leash time should be a reward for a well-trained dog, not something that is done out of peer pressure, lazy training or because a dog owner wants to fuel their ego in some way. Dog owners should take pride in the effort it has taken to get to off-leash training, not in the amount of time.
When transitioning a dog to off leash, it is imperative that the dog knows all of its basic commands completely while on leash. Those commands are: sit, down, stay, heel and come when called.
To make the transition easier, I often recommend the use of a flexi-leash. These leashes extend and retract at the click of a button. This is the only time I recommend the use of these leashes as they are an excellent training tool for this particular purpose.
To begin training, you will need to determine a command that your dog will associate with staying close to you while off leash, but not in a heel position. Heeling is when the dog stays at your side, keeps the same pace and, when you stop, the dog sits at your side. Staying close means that a dog can set its own pace, but never be more than a certain distance from the owner and it immediately comes when called. The owner determines the distance, not the dog.
With the extendable leash attached to your dog and some tasty treats in your pocket, begin your training. As with most training, it is best to find a spot with minimal distractions. Take out a handful of treats and wave them in front of your dog's nose to get its attention. Once you have your dog's attention, say the words "stay close" and give your dog a treat. It doesn't matter if your dog is sitting, or hovering around you. What is required is the dog simply be paying attention. At this point you are just teaching it the words, "stay close" and when it hears that, it gets a treat. After about six to 10 repetitions of this, your dog will get the idea.
Now begin to walk. Your dog will likely stick to you like glue as it knows you have treats, but eventually it will get distracted and start to wander off.
Keeping the lock button off on the flexi-leash, allow the dog some freedom but do not allow it to run to the end of the leash. It is imperative that you learn to manage your dog's distance from you and keep it varied, with the use of that extendible leash and the lock button. When your dog has wandered about five feet from you say the "stay close" command. Your dog should rush back to you for the treat. If it does not, then make sure you have a better treat next time you practise, but for now repeat the word, "stay close" and begin running backwards to entice your dog to come to you. Give the dog the treat and then allow it freedom.
Next, allow the dog to wander eight feet from you, give the command and reward for its return. Next time, allow only three feet of distance. The time after that, allow 12 feet.
The idea is that you are varying the distance your dog is allowed from you before giving the command. This teaches the dog to become aware of where you are along the walk as you may call it at any time - not just when it is 40 feet away and about to get into trouble.
After a few weeks, you will notice your dog always watching for you regardless of where it is. This is your cue that you can now begin the training off leash, but using the same technique.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
