[Maritime Q-Scout]

I used to have a Golden, I never had him off a leash. Dad and I used to say he was blissfully stupid when it came to chasing things, last thing we wanted was for him to dart infront of a car, or take off in the woods.

Now he'd listen and stay by our sides (unless there was another animal that came right up by us) if he had the leash on but no one was holding it. However leash comes off, he wouldn't listen as well (poor training on our behalf really)

I don't know if that'd be a good way to ease into going leash-less, by just having the leash on him but not holding it (and you could grab it, if there was any trouble), or simply jump to leash-free