The Off Leash Dog

Is Your Dog Reliable Off Leash?

While currently there are no designated public off leash areas in Beverly where dog owners can meet, exercise and socialize their dogs, there are many other are many other places where dogs are welcomed. We've started a list of recommended places to take your dog for on and off leash outings.

In the meanwhile, is your dog properly prepared for off leash activities? To find out, ask yourself the following questions. If you cannot answer YES to all of them, you and your dog have some work to do before she is a good candidate for off leash activities unless specific conditions are met.

1. Is your dog under reliable voice command to come when called every time? This applies especially in distracting situations, when there are many competing temptations for your dog's attention. If your dog does not consistently come when called in your own back yard, or when on a long leash in the park and other distracting/active areas, she is not ready to be trusted to come when called off leash.



2. Are you positive that your dog has never shown any aggressive tendencies (even once?) Dogs that are, in any way, people or dog agressive, should never be allowed off leash in any situation where they may meet up with people or other dogs. In fact, they should be kept away from dogs and people regardless if you are in any way concerned about how they might react. Remember, an agressive dog, even a small one, is a liability and hurts the reputation of responsible dog owners everywhere. If your dog shows aggressive tendencies, seek professional professional help.



3. Are you positive your dog will not stray too far from you and get lost? Dogs that are not well bonded or trained to remain in hearing/visual distance from their human companions can easily get lost or hurt if they are allowed off leash. To keep your dog safe, dogs with wanderlust should remain on leash in unfenced areas until they are more thoroughly trained.



4. Are you physically capable of controlling your dog? If your dog is more powerful than you are, and you cannot control him/her in an on leash environment, you should not allow your dog to be off leash, and should seek out further training so that you can be assured of controlling your dog in any situation.

1. Get training. There are several good training schools where you can get training for your dog. Canine University in Malden offers an excellent Come, Now! seminar several times a year in a park situation, to help train dogs for off leash activities in distracting situations. Basic dog obedience is also a must for every dog owner.



2. Practice. When you bring your dog to public areas with distractions, try putting your dog on a long line, and allow her to wander away from you and become distracted. When she is no longer paying attention to you, call her name, and if she looks at you, reward her attention with a treat, and/or verbal praise, whichever works best for your dog. Gradually, reward the dog for coming toward you, and then, finally, only reward your dog for coming all the way back to you, so that you can take hold of his collar. Once your dog reliably comes back to you, you can start to call the command "Come." Don't use the "Come" command unless you are sure your dog is going to be successful, and never ask your dog to come without rewarding them for their good behavior. If your dog is misbehaving, do not call them with the "Come" command and then scold them. "Come" must always result in a happy consequence, or you cannot expect your dog to "Come" reliably!



3. Reward and release. Many times, owners only call their dogs to them when playtime is over, or if they are going to be put back on leash. These owners often complain that their dogs run away from them when they are called. Well, dogs are smart! If they know that the fun is going to be over once they come to you, they have no motivation to come to you. It's better to call your dog, then reward him with a treat or praise, then release him to play some more with his pals. When playtime is over, go to your dog, praise him, and quietly put the leash on. That way, come always means good things and never negative. Your dog will quickly learn to come reliably when good things await him!



4. Come and Go. A fun way to practice a reliable "Come" is to make a game of it. You and a partner can stand a distance apart and each call the dog to them, and make a big happy fuss when the dog gets there. The other partner calls the dog back to them. Increase the distance each time, and you are also giving your dog a great workout!



5. Come and Get Me. Another tempting way to practice come is to call the dog to you and then as you get your dogs attention, BACK AWAY from your dog... your dog will think this is a great game and will come running. After he catches up with you, reward him profusely and repeat.