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6 Off Leash Training Tips For Your Dog

December 31, 2020 by Mary Telesz

dog walking in park doing off leash trainingThe time you spend on training your dog is never wasted. It will result in a stronger bond between the two of you, and it can help keep your dog safe from injuries. Establish a good foundation for off leash training by doing basic obedience training. Basic training will better enable you to advance to the point of being able to go out with your dog off leash. Whether or not you intend to ever let your dog off leash in a public area, off leash training is important so that you know what to do if your dog manages to slip away from you and run off.

1. It Is Going To Take Time

At the outset, you need to set realistic expectations for yourself and your dog. Off leash training takes time to perform, and it takes time for your dog to respond reliably. It is unfair to your dog to expect perfection immediately. Your dog’s cognitive abilities are similar to those of a two-year old child. It takes time and a lot of positive reinforcement. If you need the help of a professional trainer, by all means, do it.

2. Establish Good Behaviors Before Going Off Leash

Work with your dog on basic training in a familiar and safe environment. Usually, inside your home is most comfortable and has the least amount of distractions. Work on basic commands such as sit, come, and stay. Use lots of positive reinforcement with treats and toys, and keep negative reinforcement to a minimum. Never hit your dog.

Once your dog responds reliably to your commands, you can increase the difficulty by doing the training in your backyard and in more public places. When you go outside, do the training with your dog on the leash.

3. Start Training Using A Long Leash

Begin off leash training when your dog usually comes when called despite the distractions that may be occurring. You can now increase the difficulty by increasing the distance between you and your dog. To do this safely and ensure success, you will want to have lots of treats in your pocket and a leash that is at least twenty feet long. These are available at most pet stores or online, or you can attach three six-foot leashes to each other to make one long leash.

dog owner playing with her pup doing off leash trainingIn a familiar environment with fewer distractions such as your backyard or other confined area, attach your dog to the leash and have them stay. Lay the leash out on the ground and walk towards the end of it away from your dog. Turn to the dog, stand in a crouched position, and call them in an excited, inviting tone, and show them the treats if necessary. Keep calling your dog until they begins to come to you, then begin praising it. Give them lots of rewards when they gets to you. Then have your dog stay, and repeat the process going another direction.

If your dog does not come, you can use the long leash. Call your dog again and give a gentle tug on the long leash, then release it. Praise your dog as soon as they takes a step toward you. Repeat the process until your dog gets to you, and give them lots of praise.
The long leash is there only to help your dog realize they has no option but to come to you whenever you call and to prevent them from running off. It is not to be used as you would use a typical dog-walking leash.

Stop the exercise when your dog seems to be getting bored and easily distracted. Resume training the next day, and continue it until your dog comes when called without the use of the long leash.

4. Use Simple Command Words Consistently

Your dog does not care what word you use as your command word. Choose the command word that works for you. In time, your dog will associate the word with the behavior you are requesting. The command words “come,” “sit,” and “stay” are the usual words for those commands.

Whatever word you choose, you must use it consistently. If you train your dog to come using the word “come,” you cannot expect your dog to respond to the word “here.” Also, if you use the two words intermittently during your training, you will confuse your dog. Choose one command word, and use only that word.

5. Practice In An Off Leash Dog Park Or Safe Open Area

Eventually, you can train with your dog off leash. When you are working with your dog off leash, be sure you are in a safe environment—one that is safe from car traffic, dog fights, and other dangerous distractions.

6. Know What To Do If Your Dog Runs Away

Anticipate that your dog will run after something when off leash. You need to know what to do: call it, coax them back to you with treats or toys, refrain from chasing it, and praise them when they returns to you.

Keep Your Dog’s ID Tags And Microchips Updated

dog playing in snow doing off leash trainingDespite all of the training, there may be times when your dog takes off and does not return. Something may have frightened your dog into a panic and they ran away, then got lost. Or they may have chased an animal and gotten itself injured. Eventually, someone is likely to find it. The best way to ensure your dog gets returned to you is to keep its ID tags and microchips updated. You can even outfit its collar or harness with a GPS so you can track it yourself.

Consult With the Dog Walking Experts At Paw Pals

Off leash training requires lots of time working with your dog while out on walks. If you need help, reach out to the dog walking professionals at Paw Pals. They can assist you by making sure your dog gets regular and consistent walking with safe off leash training.

Filed Under: Dog Walking

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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