I walk my dog who's a year old on a quiet(ish) road once or twice a day on a lead. He's not brilliant with cars going by (often barks and makes like he's gonna go hot pursuit), and I hope to get him more used to them with time. Some doggy owners who live up the street have made remarks or questioned if I "ever" take him off the lead. Little do they know that he gets from 30 minutes to a an hours play in the huge field just out beyond our garden- OFF the lead every day. At those times, he plays fetch, tug-of-war, and plays with other doggy visitors on a daily basis OFF the lead. He's my first dog and I very much want to do him right, and was wondering what you all think. I do also take him off the lead on walks where cars are not an issue...

That sounds fine to me. You are absolutely right to have him on the lead where there is a danger from cars (and all dogs need to be taught to walk on the lead so daily practice is good), and he gets time off the lead to run and sniff and play and do dog-type things.

What do these neighbours do with their dogs, I wonder?
:)

HI,

Sounds good to me too, I ALWAYS walk my Staff on the lead yes she gets to run off lead but only where I consider it to be safe and the road is not one of those places. Road work ie walking on a lead at a steady pace is good for muscle tone (well I think so).

Don't let your dog off the lead by the road you'd never forgive yourself is he caused an accident or got hurt would you?

Karen

Hi you are taking care of your dog well and meeting his needs to be safe, have fun and be trained. Other people's opinions arent important, so just smile and say you bet or something cheerful and dont worry. :)

Good question about the neighbors' dogs- one very nearly got runover by a car while it was walking itself off the lead a few months ago. I appreciate all the support, and am glad to have the reasurrance that my dog is safer on the lead around cars. We all love our dogs (don't we?) and it's an awful feeling to consider that we might be making them unhappy.

Not to put too fine a point on it but the law requires that a dog be on the lead (with identification on the collar) and under control on the public highway (thats anywhere that isn't private land or common land to us common folk) :D So I reckon that you are doing exactly right by yourself, your dog and the law - so what's their problem??

As far as making your dog unhappy - how happy would he be if he got run over?? - Don't let those ignoramuses ruin your enjoyment of your dog. :) :) You're doing everything you can to keep him fit and happy.

Regards
Dill

Hi Guest

Would the owner of the field allow you to have someone take a car in so that you can find out what he would really be like with a car off lead so you can do anything about in just in case he ever gets loose on the road (teach instant downs for example)

Christine

I, personally, would never let my do off the lead unless we were in a secure field where there is no danger of him getting near cars (he is the same and tries to catch cars - bless!).

Sam x

I just wish everybody was as responsible as you
Do these people still have dogs? Or have they all died on the road.
Fittening horses is done all at walk and trot,uphill work included,with the odd pipe opener just for the sheer fun of it it also helps with training ie to make them walk at the spots where they are normally be allowed to gallop etc, i am not sure if its the same principal for dogs or not but it works for mine.
I dont understand this off lead business all the time,WHY? Who says they are happier off lead I'm sure if he could talk his choice would be on lead please, with the only other option of, in a matter of time being a mould for Dunlop tyres!

I've had so much support from everybody I've spoken too and all agree that keeping him on lead near cars is responsible and safe. SO! That's what I shall continue to do regardless of nosey neighbors. However, I have decided that my little boy needs to feel better about cars going by. He's ok when there's a constant stream of traffic (as they become part of the background) but where I live (private estate) cars don't come by too often...he barks and runs to the end of his lead towards them and they drive off. I think in his doggy mind he believes he's chaced them off.

Last night my husband got in his car (then mine for variation) and drove past us while we were walking about 15 or so times...when puppy did his panic thing, my husband pulled over next to us, rolled down the window and said hello! Puppy's face was such a sight! We will do the same till he feels better, and I plan on being armed with treats and clicker. As a side note, he was better when the cars came up from behind (down hill so engine quieter and no head lights blinding).

Thanks for all the responses!

Glad its working out for you fluffpup. Youll reap the benefits of all your thought and work when hes a well socialised confident dog. :)