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Is It Okay to Let My Dog Run Off-Leash?
I LOVE to have my dog(s) off leash as much as possible. How much freedom they get depends on the dog. It depends on how obedient they are, and the level of their prey drive. A dog must be walked, and some (if not most) dogs must also run in order to satisfy their physical and mental needs. In this post we'll cover topics like whether or not your dog should be running around off leash. The benefits, the risks, when you can, where you can . . . Let's get started.
This Post At A Glance . . .
Benefits To Off Leash
The Risks Of Off Leash
Is Your Dog Off Leash Worthy?
Where Can You Legally Let Your Dog Run Off Leash?
Public Spaces
Alternatives To Off Leash
Safety Tips
Running Into Karens & Kevins
Wrap It Up!
Benefits To Off Leash
Not everybody has a large safe backyard. And a leash just doesn't provide the proper release for pent-up energy. Providing a proper space for your dog to really let loose and release all their energy, sniff, explore, etc. is incredibly important for their mental and physical health. It allows the dog to move at their natural pace and not be restricted to the pace of their owner. I also like to use the opportunity to get some training in to maintain the good obedience.
Quick Overview
Best way to release physical energy
Great mental stimulation
Good training opportunity
Dog moves at its own natural pace
The Risks Of Off Leash
Letting your dog enjoy the freedom of off leash does not come without its own risks. They could get hit by a car if you're near a road whether they like to chase cars or they chase a cat across the road and get clipped by a car. My last dog (husky mix) had a near miss when he chased a cat across the road and a car had to slam its breaks. The trail we were on came near the road, and I should have had him on leash.
Your dog could harm another dog, person, child, cat . . . Or on the flipside you could run into an aggressive dog that attacks and injures your dog. There's plenty of videos of a friendly dogs running up on another dog (on or off leash) and getting viciously attacked. And lastly you could get fined if you get caught by the law with your dog off leash.
Quick Overview
Your dog could get hit by a car
Your dog could injure another dog, person, or child
Your dog could get injured by an aggressive dog
You risk getting a fine
Is Your Dog Off Leash Worthy?
Not all dogs are good candidates for being off leash. The biggest reasons being their training level and instinctual drives. Whether it's a puppy or an adult dog, your dog MUST have excellent recall to be successful off leash. Certain dog breeds are better than others. For example, Huskies are notoriously horrible off leash, while German Shepherds are much more obedient and stick near their owners. It's possible to have a successful off leash dog with proper training. But you're fighting instinct with some breeds. When you have an aggressive or reactive dog, then it becomes a liability to have your dog off leash and is not recommended.
If you have a female in heat, you need to be extra selective as to where and how you are exercising your dog. If she's in the active part of her cycle. Try to exercise her where no other dogs will likely be like a big fenced in area or quiet part of the neighborhood. When I walk my female and she's in heat I keep an extra close eye on her, keep her closer to me, and I walk with a taser as a precautionary to scare off males that decide to approach. So far, I've never had a male approach me. Except my husband's intact dogs. It's definitely a challenge keeping them away and it does increase aggression between the two boys.
Quick Overview
Some breeds are more obedient than others
Proper training can make a good off leash dog
Aggressive/Reactive dogs can be a liability
Be more cautious and selective with females in heat
Where Can You Legally Let Your Dog Run Off Leash?
There's plenty of places you can legally let your dog off leash. Ideally you either own or have a friend who has a large fenced in yard to play in. There's off leash dog parks, dog hiking trails, and dog beaches. My least favorite would be the fenced in dog parks as this is where more of the ill-behaved dogs are going to be. Hiking trails and beaches aren't fool proof for naughty dogs. But there's a better chance of running into better trained dogs. When it comes to camping (especially BLM land), you can often have your dog off leash. The exception is if you go to designated camp sites that are in closer proximity to other people. National parks like Yellowstone tend to have on leash rules for the wildlife's safety.
Quick Overview
Fenced Yard
Off Leash Dog Parks
Off Leash Dog Trails
Off Leash Beach
Camping/BLM Land
Public Spaces
This is where you can have run in with the law and need to both use caution and have your dog trained to a high standard. Places like sports parks, kids' parks, on leash trails, and even school yards. These are not wise choices for the average dog owner and are use at your own risk. Make sure your dog has a solid recall and is a model citizen. Pick up your dog's poop. Don't let your dog off leash during school hours. And avoid letting them off leash when a park is busy with people, kids, and other dogs. This is where you need to be responsible. Be courteous and sensitive to the people around you.
With my own dog, I will let her off leash when there's pretty much nobody else around or if anybody else is far away. My daughter loves to play at the kids park with the dog. But as soon as another parent with their child shows up. I put my dog on a leash so they can feel safe and respected. Unless I get permission from the parent, and they feel comfortable with it. If we're on an on-leash trail and I allow my dog off leash, I immediately leash up or have my dog at a heel if I see other people or dogs approaching until they pass.
Normally people don't mind when they see a dog that's well behaved and well trained. I've seen somebody with their dogs off leash that ran up and barked at people. This caused the people to express their displeasure and demand the dogs be on leash. Then the same people pass me with my dog quietly at a heel as I wait for them to pass, and they don't say anything. Good training makes the world of difference on people's moods around you.
Quick Overview
Public Parks - WHEN IT'S NOT BUSY
Sports Fields - WHEN IT'S NOT BUSY
School Yards - AFTER HOURS
On Leash Hiking Trails - BE ALERT & RESPECTFUL
Alternatives To Off Leash
A dog with too high of prey drive, or too strong of a nose that leads them elsewhere, or their training is just not good enough, may not be a good fit for off leash. And not everybody lives in an ideal area to exercise their dog off leash. But some dogs still need that high intensity exercise on a regular basis to be satisfied. Some alternatives to this would be biking, skateboarding, roller blading with their dog. If you have the money, then a dog daycare is a great option. With a daycare your dog needs to pass a temperament test. After that, it's ideal to only leave your dog for not more than 3-4 hours at a time for 2-3 days per week. This way your dog does not get overstimulated or sick of daycare.
All of these activities generally involve exercise on hard surfaces which is not ideal for your dog's joint health. But as long as you're not over doing it, then this type of exercise should be just fine. Ideally with biking you can find a softer trail with a natural surface.
When my dog was young (the husky mix) and in his prime, we'd go biking a few days a week on the nearby river trail. My favorite was going to Gardner Village which was about a 30-minute ride. I gave him occasional breaks along the river where he'd swim and catch his breathe. We'd walk the village a bit and then head back. His joints were still decent by the time he passed at age 14. The key is figuring out how much is enough for your dog and being careful to not push their body too far.
Quick Overview
Biking/ Bikejoring
Skateboarding
Roller Blading
Daycare
Safety Tips
There are steps you can take help ensure the safety of your dog when you have them off leash. This includes things like choosing a wide-open space where you can clearly see other people and dogs around you. Ensure your dog's training and obedience is up to par. Always have a leash on hand and at the ready in case you need to leash your dog quickly. And don't let your dog get too far from you. Distance makes a dog bolder and less likely to listen to you about going after a stimulus.
Personally, I like to carry a taser with me in case I encounter an aggressive off leash dog to protect myself and my own dog. The noise of the taser is generally enough to scare other dogs away. My own dog is trained to be fine with the sound so that she isn't the one who is spooked. When I walk my goats around my neighborhood I keep a horse whip with me. If a dog comes to approach, I firmly hit the ground with the whip. Again, the sound alone stops most dogs in their tracks, and they back off.
I also always carry a slip leash for if the worst happens and another dog latches onto my dog. These incidents are rare, but when they happen, the best method for getting the dog to release is to choke them out. It sounds horrible, but a dog can't bite if it doesn't have air and is not conscious. And lastly if you're not 100% confident in your dog's recall. Then get your dog properly trained to an e-collar. The e-collar is a fantastic tool when properly used. This is best applied with the guidance of an experienced trainer so that you don't accidentally use it incorrectly (as many people do).
Quick Overview
Choose a wide-open space where you can see everything
Observe the space for people or other dogs
Keep your dog close enough for a reliable recall
Always have a leash on hand
Have defense tools to protect yourself (taser, horse whip, slip leash)
Look into PROFESSIONAL E-collar training
Running Into Karens & Kevins
Inevitably you'll run into somebody who hollers at you to put your dog on leash. I opt to be neutral and respectful in these situations, especially if it's legally an on-leash area. Some people are just being jerks. While others have legit fears for their own safety for themselves or their family. Remember that people don't know whether or not your dog is friendly or potentially dangerous. If your dog(s) makes people nervous and you're in an area that your dog needs to legally be on leash. Please just put the dog on leash until the people have left.
Wrap It Up
Legally, I'd say follow your local leash laws and only let fido off leash in approved areas. Most likely it's safer and smarter to have your dog on leash. However, I've also seen some amazing dogs that are just fine off leash just about anywhere. Personally, if you have a dog with an excellent bombproof recall that's friendly and obedient. I'd say use your best judgement and do it at your own risk. Be responsible, be alert, pick up the poop, and be respectful of other people's comfort zones.
My German Shepherd (Osa) is pretty much the ideal off leash dog in that she's very obedient and has a very reliable recall. She has prey drive, and a desire to meet other dogs and people. But that desire does NOT override her obedience training. So, whether it's another dog, squirrel, cat, deer, people . . . I've been able to recall her with 100% reliability. This gives her the ability to be just about anywhere off leash. Verses with my previous Husky Mix (Keeneye). Keeneye had a much stronger prey drive. So, because of this I had to be more selective on where I let him off leash so he didn't get hurt. He didn't care about other people or dogs. But he couldn't help himself when it came to chasing cats (not killing, just chasing). So, I needed to ensure I picked places away from roads or the potential to spot "prey". At some point I also did e-collar training with him to make him more reliable. He loved the e-collar because he knew it meant going on a walk.
Again, be smart, be safe, be responsible.
Osa's Recommended Products
Photo Credits:
Bikejoring image from racegorilla .com
Pixabay Photos: Samoyed, Poodles, Girl with Dog, Border Collie, Grumpy Person
German Shepherd & Group Of Dogs On Stone Steps by Alisha Falcone
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