I currently have a 7 month old pointer and a 13 week old springer. (Have older dogs but have done the same with them). As soon as I got them at 8 weeks, I would get them used to their name and recalling them in the garden. As soon as they had their vacs, let them off the lead in a secure place. Both pups did not leave my side and neither did the previous ones. As they get older, they start to get some confidence and when they do, I either stop when they are too far ahead and when they have seen I have stopped, they come back to me and I recall them (whistling) so they are getting used to coming back to me. When they go that little bit further and don't come back when I stop, I walk the other way. This scares them into coming back as it's a big wide world out there. The 7 month old pointer started to get a little too sure of herself and wouldn't come back. I went into a secure field and did some training with her - she was on a long line. It took about 4 times of me hiding and her getting scared and she started to keep an eye on me. She hasn't the best recall but we are able to walk her in a very secure place and are keeping on with the training.

The thing to remember is not to keep calling them if they are going the other direction. This is just teaching them to disobey you. When the pup is looking at you, call her back and give her loads of fuss and treats when she comes to you. I find at that age, it's best to wait until they do something and give the command. Keeps it all fun for the pup and you.

Helen

i've let my pup off the lead from day one - being a baby she followed very close to me, it's such a natural instinct when they are young.
we started on the beach [no traffic and no roads nearby] and kept whistling her to come back and praising her.
as we ventured further afield - to fields and woods, pathways etc - if she ever saw something she was unsure of or she met a group of dogs or a big dog - she would come to me for protection and i would praise her.
i would do this with her both off and on a flexi lead to encourage the correct reaction, and to imprint the reaction to my whistle.

now she is older but only 13 weeks old, she is used to people, bikes, pushchairs, children, other dogs etc. she reacts to my whistle automatically now. i've trusted her to come back and she always has. she says hi to people who show an interest in her [ignores those that don't], says hi to other dogs [ignores those that show no interest in her] and comes back very quickly now, as it has all become the norm for her now.

not doing it this way i could see would only make the new found freedom a 'novelty' and with more temptations to run off when the day finally came to be let off the lead.

I tend to do this too as soon as they are able to go out. Baby puppies will not stray far from you and will come back for lots of fuss and praise - and if something tempts them away they still fall for the "tricks" such as running away in the opposite direction or falling down - that older dogs get wise to! As long as the area where they are free is safe and enclosed then this is always my preference. Get them used to freedom as soon as possible - and teach them that you are more exciting than anything else they encounter! :)

Janet

Hi guys- Both of my dogs went off lead the first time that we took them out. I agree with the other posters that have said that using a young pups inbuilt tendancies to stay close to 'mum' until they are a bit older is a good thing to do. In my experience, the longer you leave it, the more you come to rely on the lead, when the dog is on the lead, its fine, but when you let it off it doesn't know how to react and just zooms off. If you're not happy about taking the plunge now, I suggest you use a long line (tracking line) or a lunge line. I have found that using one is really good for re-inforcing the recall and also, it gives you confidence that if something unforseen does happen, you still have control.
Its particularly usefull if you meet horseriders when out and about. I've seen too many near misses with people who can't control their dogs around riders!
At our puppy class, we teach our pups to 'go play', then recall them after a minute, they then go back to play, then after another minute, we recall them again. This can go on for quite a few minutes, so the pups learn that nothing bad happens if you recall, eg you're not going to have a lead put on and be dragged away from your chums. It really seems to work!.
Anyway-find yourself a safe environment and have ago when you're ready - Enjoy
Ali :)

Unless you have a very sound recall in the home and garden it is best to air on caution. But, saying that we never know when it is safe to try off lead so, take the bull by the horns and arm yourself with something very tasty and go for it in a very safe enclosed space. Use a long line not a flexi lead and call the dog to you before it gets to the end so that it comes of its on accord and not because you are tugging it. Give it lots of praise and a treat and let the lead go slack again. Good luck and take care.

My lab went off his lead at his first puppy class at 10 weeks and was always encouraged with treats. He is now 6 mths and we have never had a problem with him coming back to us. Even when he is playing with other dogs down at the park, as soon as we call him he comes straight back looking for that special treat.