I am so scared to let Toby off the lead, we went to the woods yesterday and was tempted but just cant do it, i told hubby last night that i would only let Toby off the lead if he is with me, he said why because Toby has been trained by you and takes notice of you more than anyone, Toby wont even go to bed without me, he does sit and wait when i tell him to but im frightened that as soon as he is off that lead he will go running, he is a good dog at 1 year old i didnt expect him to be quite so good and settled im very proud of him,
i love him so much that i worry i will loose him if he runs, yes i am a bit over protective with him,
what do you think i should do?

Heidi

he had a swim yesterday hubby said how did he have a swim, he was on his flexi lead

i use a long line with mine that can be trailed along the ground but what i can stand on if i need to! it has worked quite well along tracks, i wouldnt recommend for a dog who likes to go into undergrowth etc. if you have good control on the flexi, try before changing over just calling him back, reward him every time he does it right, wether its a big fuss,play with a favourite toy, or food treats, its up to you, whatever he likes the most! when you have this on the flexi, try on the long line, as you will have some control still and he will also have some freedom! gradually build it up - let us know how you get on!!!

hope it helps a bit!!

chel

Thankyou Chel,
On the flexi lead he does come back when i call him infact every so often he turns and comes up to me without me asking him, almost like he is checking im still there and i always tell him how good he is when he comes to me, i think maybe i will try a long line as you say.

Heidi

Can you and hubby go out with him together - prqactise calling him between you with his lead still on, then take it off and repeat it - make a big fuss of him each time he comes to either of you, maybe play a game with him if that's what floats his boat - make him realise that YOU are the source of all the really good stuff, that there is no need for him to go off looking for anything else.  I think you need to build up your confidence in your relationship with Toby, and don't be put off by the small set backs (like when he dissapears for a milli second - if he does - you try walking in the opposite direction or hide - and watch him come running back as fast as his legs will carry him ;))

Digger i may give that a go, the problem isnt with Toby its me im a terrible worrier, Toby comes back on the flexi lead he will sit and wait when i tell him to and for a year old lab he is so well behaved i really dont know why i worry, but i just cant take that step and let him off that lead, i know i should just trust him, i think once i take the step i will be ok from there but its doing it :o

Heidi

Im going to take Toby to the wood in a little while, hubby is at work but my son will come with me, maybe i can find the courage to just do it, we will see, will let you know :)

Heidi

Just do it, the longer you leave it the harder it will be.  Just make sure you have lots of yummy treats in your pocket ;)

Heidi,

Do you have a Dogs Trust near you?  The one up here has a huge fenched off area where you can exercise your dog without danger of him escaping.  It's a good way to 'test' them. :)

The first time I let Barney off the lead I was scared to death, he is now 8 months.  I took a bag of sliced up hotdogs (a very special treat, not his normal treats) in my pocket, once he realise he got a piece of hotdog when he was called, he was no problem.  I did take him someone very quiet - no other people or dogs around to distract him.  Good luck!
Jax

The men have turned up to fix my guttering but as soon as they leave i will go to the woods, have i left it a bit late Toby is 1 year old ? i have a bag of sausage and cheese with me to tempt him fingers crossed :(

Heidi

Good luck Heidi :)

Hi Joe no i dont know of any dog trust near us but thanks anyway, the woods we go to are fenced off at the fields but not at the road but i will take him right to the back of the woods before letting him off.

Heidi

On the good side the woods are quite a walk to so by the time we reach them Toby is quite calm, (when i first take Toby out he is excited for the first 10 mins or so) right the men have gone so here goes,
Heidi

I didn't think I would ever let Millie off the lead - I'm a worrier like you too!  But a few weeks ago (she was 5 months then) we were out walking with my sister and her hubby and dog.  Millie is totally besotted by Max, spends hours sitting near him gazing into his face (bless her!) so I decided to be brave and let her off on the walk with him - Max comes back instantly when called (he's much  better behaved off lead than he is on - he likes the secure feeling of being attached and worries when he isn't!) and we knew that Millie would only go wherever Max did so I was brave enough.  A few minutes after letting her off, I called her back, then every few minutes after that, just to be sure.  Then we played a game of "To Me, To You" as suggested above, where my OH and I stand a distance apart and call her to each of us in turn.

Does your dog have a doggy friend you could be with when you first try?  The other dog needs to be reliable on recall itself, and your dog needs to be pretty interested in him/her, but it might be an idea for the first time, to go together so that you feel more confident that even if your dog ignores you, the other owner can call their dog back and yours will follow.

The following week we let Millie off in the woods and she was great, checking behind her every few seconds to make sure we were still there, and coming back to have her lead on if another dog approached.  Week 3 was not so successful when she saw a Collie up ahead and made a break for freedom!  Luckily the Collie didn't go to far and she got bored when he stopped and came back to me.

Consequently on Sunday just gone, we kept her on the lead during the walk (there was an Easter Egg hunt going on so lots of people and dogs) but when we got to a clearing where we were alone, we let her off for a run around and did lots and lots of recalling and "To Me, To You" games, and this time I took along a squeaky toy to squeeze when I was calling her.

     Good luck, not that you will need it I am a terrible worrier too but I finally after working through long leads etc I got the courage to let Sal off. And guess what - SHE CAME BACK - in fact she hardly goes on it at all now. It sounds as if Toby loves you, I know this will be hard now but if in time he gets too "cocky" turn round and walk the other way I say "this way" and Sal panics and runs back not wanting to loose me. Not that she is very calm YET and I envy people whose dog just potters around. We have not got to that stage yet of "owner walking - dog strolling bit yet" we are still at "owner walking - dog running round like loonatic stage," I am sure it will come, just give us a few years ;)
    Good Luck and I am sure when you read this you you wil lbe back home with Toby after enjoying him running free.
    Oh another tip when you do let him off for prolonged times, then call him back every now and again and pop him on his lead then let him off so he doesn't associate the lead with -stopping his fun  - and not come back pop him on then off every now and again. :)
    Karen    

I have just made a big b*lls up because i am so excited and replied on the wrong post they will think im bonkers.

I did it i let Toby off the lead and he was an absolute angel, he wouldnt go far he kept checking i was still behind him and he even walked to heel, i cried most of the way round because i was so proud of him, my boy is the best :)

Jax i have sent you a pm thankyou

Heidi

Well done, now will you let your boy have more free runs!!!?? LOL its amazing how much people are to possesive over their dogs!!!  Now you have done it once you won't leave a lead on him in sucurre areas ever again!!!

Welldone Heidi.  I knew women worried too much :rolleyes:

you bet :)
we both enjoyed the walk so much, NOW i dont know why i was so worried, he wouldnt go far from me, Toby likes to please and everytime he came back to me i praised him so much, i know he is a good dog but thought will he be different out in the open off the lead, well i should have trusted him more :(  sorry Toby.
Heidi

All women should trust All men (ignore the Beckham thread) :D :D

I dont think so :D :D :D

Heidi

NEVER EVER  trust a male, and you'll never be disappointed!!! sorry Joe!! as for the Beckham thread- THAT particular man has no balls anyhow, so he doesnt count!! a braindead muppet who cant speak, or play football doesnt deserve to be trusted! has anyone ever watched an interview with him and counted the amount of "uumms"??!!!!!

Yeah, but he's so dreamy to look at....:-D

im lucky now i can trust hubby 110% but as for my ex hence EX