First time 'off leash'

[basenjishunt]

Sharron,
I used the same method you do. If they get the slightest idea they're missing out on something, they'll run over right away. I also do the "run in the other direction thing", and I also hide on them. They've got to the point that they constantly look back to see where I am. It also helps to keep some good treats in your pocket for when they come to you…..Tim

[sharronhurlbut]

B and bribes..its a good thing!

[gbroxon]

I guess I am not much of a risk taker. I'm confident that Magnum will come back to me, at his leisure, IF he can. I only let him off leash in the two places I feel he is 99% safe, our supervised IF-fenced two-acre yard and our supervised IF-fenced trailer plot. Other than that, he's leashed. No matter where he is, he's never out of my sight. He's one Basenji who does magnificently with electronic fencing systems, regardless of what crosses his path.

[wizard]

I have a pretty good sized yard with lots of places in the flower beds for EL D to explore plus I have taken him occasionally to the dog park so I'm not so concerned about him having the opportunity to "flat out run".
However, the accidental escape is always in the back of my mind (I lost wizard my previous basenji that way) so I've been working with EL D and a special whistle/treat. So far he's been really good about responding, I even tried it at the campground when we went a few weeks ago (my brother held EL D and I hid and then whistled).
However, I have noticed that if EL D is chasing prey, his mind is on the prey and the whistle has yet to work in that situation.
Soooo, long story short, I think EL D would return to me if he escaped in the woods or beach or wherever EXCEPT if he was chasing prey. Small mammal prey would have small territories but larger creatures could lead him farther away.

[rnasto]

Thats awesome. Indi does ok off leash, I always make sure that there is something exciting going on where I am (lots of dogs playing, roast beef, etc). Turin and I play this game where we stand about 25yards apart and call him back and forth, that way he practices being off leash, coming when called, and gets alot of running in.

[Natalplum]

My husband just brought home a training leash so that Mick can eventually walk without the leash. I told him not to even take it out of the package. He's never get off the leash. Am I over reacting?

I guess he doesn't realize that Mick obeys him but not me and my kids. All my husband has to do is stand up and Mick knows to behave. I try to get him to sit on his bed while we are eating dinner and he runs around like a nut case. Once my husband puts him on his bed he stays until called. Whats up with that???

I know if Mick is off the leash and I call him he won't come if he has something that interests him elsewhere. That scares me more than anything. I love him so much I don't want to loose him.

[Janneke]

@Natalplum:

My husband just brought home a training leash so that Mick can eventually walk without the leash. I told him not to even take it out of the package. He's never get off the leash. Am I over reacting?

…

I know if Mick is off the leash and I call him he won't come if he has something that interests him elsewhere. That scares me more than anything. I love him so much I don't want to loose him.

I think it's a good idea to practice walking off leash with a training leash. Even if you are not planning on letting Mick walk off leash.. If he escapes or something like that and he knows to return on command, than that is only a good thing.

For example: I was walking Mirtillo yesterday and met a woman with a German Shepherd. She asked me if it was ok to let them both off leash and I said it was. She already had him loose.. and he came running toward Mirtillo.. He got scared.. an ran off.. to the road…(the leash slipped through my fingers) I only had to call him once! He stopped, turned.. and came back!! Even with the shepherd standing next to me! I was soooooo happy we had practice this.....

Edit: after this I let Mirtillo walk loose.. he did great!! The shepherd and he had lots of fun running through the field. Tillo visited me every few minutes for some candy

[lvoss]

What is a "training leash"? Is it a long line? Long lines are great for teaching loose lead walking and working on recalls.

Many people seem to think that walking a dog off leash is a good thing, when in reality it is in most places breaking the law. There are some places that you can walk your dog off leash without being in violation of the law but in many places there are not many safe places that you can walk your dog off leash. As Janneke said, a real benefit to working on a long line on recall is that if your pup ever does get out then you have a tool to get him back. Name response, coming to his name with various distractions and in various places could very well save his life some day. You can play the come game in the house having people in different rooms call his name and give a treat if he comes. You can work on a long line outside calling him between two people. Only treat if he comes when called not if he is just running back and forth between you.

As for him listening to you, are you taking him to training classes? What is your role in training him? The more you work him, and the more consistently you work him, the more he will listen to you. You can start really by just taking a handful of one of his meals and just ask for some basics before giving him the main meal. Sit, down, stand, I practice targeting, what ever you may be working on until you have used your handful then when you are done ask for a sit and then you can give his bowl.