My dog just got done with training camp, when can she go off leash in an unfenced park?
I've done training camps. some people call them board and trains for a couple of decades now. Usually when I'm going over all the things the dog learned at camp I get this question. When can my dog go off leash pretty much anywhere?
My answer below is adapted from a go home letter Larry Krohn, another amazing long time dog trainer wrote.
1. First, let me thank you for trusting me with something so important to you and your family
Thank you for giving me the privilege and opportunity to improve your life, your dog”s life, and making your lives together what it should be. It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. You could have chosen anyone, and you chose me. For that I am your dog trainer for the life of your dog until they cross the rainbow bridge as long as you want me in your life.
2. During your dog”s stay with me your dog was treated exactly how my own dogs are treated.
That means with love, care, respect, and understanding of what they needed to thrive, not just survive.
Now we are a team and in order for us to have true everlasting success I must pass that on to you. Now it is my responsibility to teach you as much as I can to continue real world progress.
3. Please understand that a dog is not trained in 2 weeks.
A dog is not trained in 3, 4, or 5 weeks. It takes time and consistency.
With that being said we can do amazing things in a few short weeks but it is just the beginning. The foundation is laid and it is strong. We added wanted behaviors and eliminated unwanted behaviors. Most importantly Your dog learned how to learn and they are now a clean slate ready and willing to please you if you allow it.
4. What I now need from you is this: For best results a dog needs both mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis.
The following four steps will help you continue progress:
1) Identify and eliminate the bad habits inside the home that most likely created the behavioral issues.
2) Replace the bad habits with good habits.
3) Structure, rules, and boundaries followed consistently.
4) Positive interaction with you through play and formal obedience.
The first three take no time out of your day to implement. You are doing something any way, just do the right things now. You’re always training whether you know it or not. The dog knows it.
Number 4 takes very little time. Couple of minutes a couple of times a day goes a long way.
5. Real results equal 10% trainer 90% owner. It is up to me to provide you with the education, information, and opportunity.
There must be consequences for doing right and there must be consequences for doing wrong.
Reward good behavior whether you ask for it or not.
Correct unwanted behavior quickly. If you do not correct unwanted behavior you are rewarding it.
A correction can simply be showing your dog what to do, not just telling your dog no and leaving it at that.
6. Continue to master and work on the basics.
Come, sit, down, place, out and leave it.
Practice on leash, off leash, with food, without food, with toys, without
Toys, with rewards, without rewards, with tools, without tools
7. Practice everywhere, strive to achieve advanced focused attention which is simply Mastery of the basics under all conditions
8. Structured Walk
Strive for daily structured walks. There is a time for sniffing and goofing off. All work and no play isn't good for anyone. But give your dog a good structured section to every single walk.
9. Free Walk
Long line and dog can move about freely, practice recall and all other basic skills on the free walk, implement play on the free walk, mix it up, free walk, structured walk, recall and play is a tremendous training session
10. Practice recall, everywhere!
How do you get your dog off leash anywhere. Practice with a long line. Everywhere. When your dog begins to respond to the recall all the time, you're ready to be off leash.
Remember... you (and your dog) become really good at something when you can do it without thinking about it. The way you get to that place is to practice it over and over and over again.
That is how you get to let your dog off leash in an unfenced park and know it's all good!
11. Not everyone can come to my Epic Dog Camp in San Diego... so I've created a way to get amazing results (and yes, build the road to off leash) online.
Join me at Dog Life Unleashed: Calming the Chaos
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