Off lead for 1st time - at 13 weeks old!!

[Geordietyke]

I decided to risk letting Odie off lead whilst at my mam's house yesterday.  We took him and my mam's whippet, Charlie to a nearby field and let him off (this is only his 2nd week out and about).  As he is still very young and attached to me, he played around with Charlie but never strayed too far from us and always came bounding back.    Charlie never wanders too far so it's a big help having a doggie friend who can teach him.   I'll continue doing this to practice his recall before I venture further afield.  I'm hoping to join the next meet up at Thornes Park/Pugneys/Newmillerdam as I'd love to meet some COLers! 

[Helen]

Brilliant    Well done on letting him offlead - sometimes it's a heart in mouth moment.  It's great that you have a field to practice recall in but you will need to vary the location after a while for training to get the commands really ingrained   

Best of luck with him, he sounds a little star 

[bajoleth]

Well done, it is daunting letting them off isn't it. Our previous dog was a Cavie who thought being let off lead meant run away as fast as you can the number of times we had to collect her from pounds, vets, strangers homes, we gave up in the end and she was always on an extender
When we had Belle we practised and practised in the garden and she was fab she is soooo food orientated its fairly easy to train her so when she went on her 1st walk to our local park we bit the bullet and let her off. Cos they are sooo young and attached to you they do watch out for you and don't tend to go that far. We have never looked back her recall is 99%.
Monty who is 13 weeks hasn't been let off yet as he has only had pavement walks so far, he was later having his vaccs so only been allowed out for a week, the weather has been so atrocious we havent been to the park. But I know my heart will be in my mouth when I let him off
So well done and keep up the good work

[Emma xx]

We let Alfie off on his very first walk and its the best thing we could have done like you say they are still very attached to you at that age so he didnt venture very far and never has . We always go armed with lots of tasty treats (coachies) and he lives for them . Yesterday we went walking with the family (Good Friday tradition!) and there were 5 dogs including Alfie so we took cheese for treats as well to make ourselves even more interesting so he would be more likely to come back and he was fantastic i got scared at one point as i couldnt see him, so i shouted of him a couple of times only to look down and find him sat at my feet staring up at me like 'what ya shoutin' for woman im right here!!!!' ! Good boy . I think the sooner you do these things better glad Odie was a good boy too!!! xxxxx

[Sarah1985]

Well done for being brave

I did exactly the same. If they're off the lead from the beginning you can soon build a good recall while they still consider you the very best thing in the world.

Plus people are much happier with a puppy spoiling their picnic compared with an adult dog who should know  better. 

[smartietopdog]

I don't really qualify for puppy boards, but just wanted to give my tuppence worth
When Smartie was a pup (14 weeks), the local beach was open to dogs (about march time) and she seemed so devoted to me, and Chops, I decided to let her off. I can honestly say I have never looked back. She is still stuck to my side, and her recall is spot on 
Well done for having the courage!!
 My sisters goldie is 10, and the only time she ever lets him off the lead is when I'm with her and do it when she's not looking! She's always been so scared, and even tho he comes back every time, she still wont let him go more than a few meters away!

[Geordietyke]

I'm pleased you all think I done the right thing!    It was a sort of heart in mouth moment but only time will tell what he does next time!  It's good to read about all your experiences with your pups. 

[nickycnc]

Well done to you and Odie. I wasn't so confident letting my last cocker off lead straight away and although her recall isn't bad it could be better. I have learn't from that and intend to let my new pup Charley off lead on her first venture into the big wide world...i think

[RoxyRed]

We let Roxy off as soon as we could take her out, about 12 weeks, it was really daunting as her recall isnt that great but because its a different situation, they are so attached they dont go far and if she gets to far in front she always runs back. We have my OH mums springer who is 8 with us and she normally just sticks with her anyway,lol. Its so good to see them both out together, i think Roxy prefers being off her lead to being on it, 

xxx

[Rats and Dogs]

Well done to you for being brave!

I also let Dougie offlead on his very first walk, and he has always stayed close by me on walks. http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=63034.0 He is 11 months now, and although he does wander a bit further than he used to, he never goes out of sight, and always runs straight back to me when I call. This is despite having a new big sister who just goes wherever she likes! He just looks at her as she runs off into the woods, then he stands beside me sighing a lot, as we wait for her to come back.

Can we see some pics of the good boy offlead in the park?

[Geordietyke]

I will take some photos when I'm next at my parents house on Thursday/Friday.  I dare not risk him off lead where I live as I'm surrounded by busy roads, even where there is some green space.   

[spanielcrazy]

Well done  Take full advantage of the fact that when they are very young they will follow and come to you very readily. It's the best time to start off lead--as young as possible. Lay your foundation for staying close and recall now, because later, as he gets more independant, you're going to need it