Off leash
Off leash dog training. The last step, not the first one.
Recall and control without a line, built in stages and proofed against real distraction. For dogs that are already reliable on a leash and ready for more.
How it is built
Recall across distance, distractions and places
Recall in a quiet place is the starting point. Distance, distractions and unfamiliar places are separate parts of the work, with readiness assessed for the individual dog.
- 01
Reliable on the line first
Recall and leash skills in a setting your dog can handle. A quiet place helps establish the starting point before asking for more.
- 02
Distance
Working at more distance while keeping appropriate physical control. Distance is a change to assess, not a reason to remove the leash.
- 03
Distraction
Dogs, people and moving objects can make recall harder. The starting distraction and pace depend on what your dog can manage.
- 04
Somewhere new
Checking skills in a different setting. A response learned in one place may need more practice before it carries to another.
- 05
Off the line
Readiness depends on your dog and the setting. A fenced space or keeping a leash attached may remain the right choice, even after training.
Judging recall readiness
A quiet-yard recall is one part of the picture
Coming when called at home does not tell you how your dog will respond near another dog, a moving ball or unfamiliar smells. Proofing means checking that skill when those conditions change.
Think about the setting as well as the skill. A fenced place and keeping a leash attached can give your dog room while you assess readiness. Training does not give permission to ignore the rules for a park or trail. AKC trainer Sassafras Patterdale explains how individual readiness, distractions and safe settings fit together.
“She now comes when we call and is able to play with other dogs!”
Questions
About off leash work
- Does completing training mean my dog can go off leash anywhere?
- No. Training readiness and permission to let a dog off leash are separate questions. Check the rules for the specific park, trail or property, and discuss your dog and the setting at the evaluation. This program does not promise recall in every situation.
- Is my dog ready for off leash work?
- If it is not reliable on a leash yet, no. Off leash is the step after solid recall and loose leash walking, not a shortcut past them.
- How long does it take?
- Longer than most owners expect, because the work is in the proofing rather than the teaching. The evaluation sets a starting plan; reliability around distractions matters more than a fixed number of weeks.
- Do you use an e-collar?
- Talk to Michael about the tools he uses and why. He will explain his approach and you can decide whether it is what you want for your dog.
- What does proofing mean?
- Checking a learned response when the place, distance or distractions change. Coming when called in a quiet yard is a different task from returning when another dog or a moving ball is nearby. The work depends on the individual dog.
- Can a reactive dog do off leash work?
- Not as a starting point. Reactivity comes first, and that is behaviour rehabilitation rather than this.
Not sure whether your dog is at this stage yet? The evaluation will tell you.
Start with the evaluation.
An hour with your dog, in your home or at the farm. You will know what it needs and whether we are the right people to do it.
$125 at your home, $50 at the farm. Your full evaluation payment is credited toward your first purchase.