5 Reasons why dogs don't mind off leash

Reason 1 - Click means freedom

    Your dog hears the sound of the snap swivel clicking when the leash is removed and runs away. The click signals, "You are free to run away."

Your Solution

     While holding the leash slack and out of sight behind you, reach down and click the snap swivel, but don’t take it off. If the dog gets up, you can teach the dog that the sound no longer means, "You are free to run away."

　

Reason 2 - Leash off means freedom

     Your dog hears the sound of the snap swivel clicking and sees and feels the leash coming off and runs away. The sound, sight and feel say, "You are free."

Your Solution

     Put two leashes on your dog and, while holding your backup leash slack and hidden behind you, take the decoy leash off and toss it out in front of your dog. Your dog will learn that the leash off no longer means, "I’m free."

Reason 3 - Collar off means freedom

     Your dog feels the collar being taken off and runs away. The feel signals, "You are free to run away."

Your Solution

    Put two collars on and then, while holding your backup leash slack and hidden behind you, take the decoy collar off and toss it out in front of the dog. Your dog will learn that the collar off no longer means, "I’m free."

Reason 4 - The head halter is removed

    A dog walked on a head halter knows when it is on and when it is off.

Your Solution

    If you use a head halter to control your dog during walks, understand that the dog is being restrained (nothing wrong with that) but not being trained to mind when the head halter is removed. Restraining a dog behind a fence or using a head halter works as long as the restraint is in place. Restraining is not training for off-leash reliability. Another problem is that your dog know when it is on and when it is off.

Reason 5 - Constant tension/tugging tells the dog the leash is on

    When the leash is removed your dog doesn’t feel tension/tugging and knows you don’t have control.

Your Solution

    Teach your dog to walk on a loose leash. It is easier than you think and doesn’t mean you have to pull and jerk on the leash. You can learn how to do it at the week 1 class at "Heeling Free" Dog Class.

If you want your dog to mind off leash, you can try one week for FREE at "Heeling Free" Dog School

Please feel free to call me, Harold Hansen, "Heeling Free" Dog School. In Eugene,Springfield, Oregon, call 541-484-6680. In Albany/Corallis, Oregon, call 541-752-9078.