Hi, I just wanted to get something off my chest... we have had charlie our 18 month old springer for 3 weeks now and everyday he gets a bit better at commands but recall is still not great so we only let him off when there is no one else about and we are sure it is safe, but in the last week i have had two people have words with me about how i never let my dog off the lead and i am being cruel!! Are these people stupid? they have no idea what his personalilty is and i'm sure they would have more to say if i let him off and he went straight into a road!
I have tried using a line but he just stands there (don't think he gets it).
Anyway, moan finished.

I don't think your been cruel,i think your been very responsible 3 weeks isn't a very long time and you probably are just getting to know him,if your recall still isn't good i wouldn't take the chance of him not coming back when called not everybody likes dogs.
as for these people interferring tell them to mind there own bussiness,or just simply explain that you haven't had him long and need to get to know him properly first.

Thanks, it is just gets very frustrating. Also because he is a springer and lives up to his name he could quite easily go bounding over to a child and knock them over in the excitement, i will carry on being patient and when he is trained enough he can go for as many runs as he likes. :)

My westie bailey isn't very good at recall if we open the front door he is off and we spend ages trying to catch him. However when we go up the hills walking we let him off he runs around but always keeps us in sight even with other dogs people have said the only way to train him is to let him off outside our home but i don't either. He has a secure garden and when walked on long line he is great and i feel secure that he won't run on the road (we live near a really busy one). Maybe one day he won't run off.

You are being a good owner by not letting him off a lead until you feel it is safe to do so. Ignore these morons. You will always get someone who 'knows better' :(

If he won't run on a line why don't you try attaching another lead to the one you use, this way he will be able to feel safe at being on a lead, but will gradually learn to move away a bit at a time. Once he realises that he CAN go further than arms length you can then try him on a line again. Just an opinion, don't know if it would work ;) But anything is worth a try, isn't it? :)

Hi there,

Ignore the comments - they don't know your dog or your situation. I have two Malamutes that aren't allowed off the lead (well only very rarely in fully enclosed areas). I have had people in the past ask me why I won't let them off and that they should be allowed to run. My two get plenty of exercise - in addition to their walks they are taken out on the bike and will go out on the rig when the weather cools down. However they do not have good recall so are not allowed off the lead.

You are being the responsible one so don't worry about what others say.

Frizbe i understand. Some dogs really can't be trusted off lead , speaking for my late sibe huskys :p

Something that worked for us on our Springer, who was a 4yr. old rescue when we got her, and with our Lab pup.  We hid on them.  Both these girls were/are very submissive dogs and they weren't running away on purpose.  They would just get over enthusiastic about being off leash and get too far away.  Both got very upset when they realized we were out of sight and came back looking.  Huge big treats for coming back willingly.  We would wait till they were involved in sniffing away, and hide, then call them.  We feel it taught them to be more aware of where we were.  This seems to work especially well when you are in a new place for the first time and your dog is terrified you will go away and leave him/her.  Maybe this would work for you?

is it because these people dont know your situation?ie that you have a 18month old dog...but youve only had him for 3weeks?

as a rule a springer does need free running for its own mental health,theres nothing like watching a springer working/springing/running about, HOWEVER i think you are doing the right thing at the moment,until you are sure of your recall skills!!!
well done stick to your guns!

what you could do,is put him on a long line ,you take the end of the line,but get someone to hold the dog,when you get to the end of the line,go "nuts",calling his name,patting your legs etc,get your helper to hold on tight-for a good few seconds,until the dog is REALLY focased on you,then let him go! when he gets to you & probaley knocks you flying reward him with loads of praise & titbits!!!!

jogging with him is good or maybe cycling,if you can find somewhere to cycle that has soft ground for him to run on,& dont go too fast,or too long!

good luck,youll get there!
for his first free run it may be a good idea to do it with a doggy friend that has a good recall!!!

Hi Frizbe,

You are doing the absolute right thing. Stick at it, no point letting your dog run lose and learn unwanted behaviours. He can have his off lead runs when there are no distractions in open fields.

Best to ignore their comments and do what you know is right.

Cheers,
Patty

I totally agree with everyone here.  All dogs are different and have their different needs.  My dachsies only get let off in one specific area close to home which they know well.  They are hounds and by nature go off hunting.  Many dachsie owners have similar problems to us where their dogs have disappeared for ages and ages so they no longer let them off the lead.   No doubt 'well meaning' people may say we are cruel too - but if only they understood!!!

Personally as far as I am concerned, if your dog has a dodgly recall you are being the opposite of cruel, to him, to other dogs and their owners.

Only wish more people would do the same........