For the Dog Owners... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Eastern Girl · 08-29-2006, 11:11 PM

I want to train my dog to go off his leash. He's very sociable, loves other dogs, and is really good around little kids, doesn't jump on people or bark at them, generally very good. My only real concern, the one thing that has prevented me from trying to train him to go off his leash so far, is his love of chasing smaller animals, like squirrels and bunnies. I am worried that he'll see a bunny and then disappear into the bushes or something.

So I am just wondering, has anyone successfully trained their dog to go off the leash or does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? I would really appreciate it. I feel bad going to a dog park and having to keep him on a leash.

Reggie Dunlop · 08-29-2006, 11:53 PM

Let him go after the squirrels. Them varmints deserve what's comin' to them and no one knows this better than a dog. Nasty critters they are.

Your dog will be happy and the ecosystem all the better for it.

Bunnies I have no issue with, although there does seem to be a great many of them.

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 08-30-2006, 12:41 AM

What kind of dog is he? I'm with Reggie--let the varmints fry.

Seriously, I'm of the opinion that any dog can be taught to be off leash--but it takes a lot of patience. You say your dog is good--but does that mean he's calm-submissive and attentive, or just that he's not obnoxious?

Reggie Dunlop · 08-30-2006, 12:50 AM

Age is a big factor. I have about the friendliest Golden Retriever imaginable. Up until he was about a year and a half of age he'd bee-line it halfway across the park if something caught his eye and damned if I wasn't strapped for time during walks (done before work). It gets a lot better the older the dog is. They just seem to want to stick close by your side.

Still, when it comes to squirrels, I let him give 'er! It's the least I can do! They give him enough grief in the backyard where they can scurry away to safety, they're fair game on an open field.

My dog has issues with squirrels and I don't blame him.

HelloHockeyFans · 08-30-2006, 01:27 AM

My dog HATES squirrels but I rarely let her off leash for fear that she will never return.

I've let her off maybe three times since I got her a few months ago, and one time I had to tackle her down before she made it on to the street. Apparently, you're not supposed to ever let a Shiba off leash because they will just bolt. I thought she might be different though.

habernac · 08-30-2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

That is the dog equivalent of that child wearing a hockey helmet to the mall.

LOL! Best line I've read all week.

Bertuzzied · 08-30-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

My dog HATES squirrels but I rarely let her off leash for fear that she will never return.

I've let her off maybe three times since I got her a few months ago, and one time I had to tackle her down before she made it on to the street. Apparently, you're not supposed to ever let a Shiba off leash because they will just bolt. I thought she might be different though.

Wow insane. Rule number 1 for Shiba owners is that you never let it off leash! ever! unless you want a nice shiba rug for your living room. They have been bred to capture rabbits and rodents in japan and will NEVER listen to you. We took her to an off leash class at the SPCA and she failed! hahaha. The instructor has taught over 20 shibas and she said that not one of them can be trusted off leash.

The last time my shiba got off her leash it took us 45 minutes to get her back, and that was only because she wanted to come back.

My shiba just caught a mouse in the park the other day and wouldn't let go of it. I had to get pliers and tore the poor little mouse from limb to limb until she let go. So far her tally in 2 years are 3 mice, 2 birds and a baby rabbit.

CaptainCrunch · 08-30-2006, 09:19 AM

I had a Ridgeback, and they're not only very untrustworthy on a leash, but you can't leave them un supervised in your back yard. They're basically a dog version of clint eastwood in Alcatraz, no yard holds them.

They don't mind mice and other rodents, but they're bread as lion hunters and have a limited ability to climb tree's so cats are thier thing.

They also have the best endurance of most dogs, so if they decide to run, they'll run for days.

trew · 08-30-2006, 09:32 AM

I've never seen a squirrel, ever, at River Park, probably has something to do with the 20-80 dogs that are almost always at the park. If you want your dog to play with other dogs, that might be a good place to go.

Our dog is a terrier, and we've put a lot of time and energy into training him, but have come to the conclusion that it is pretty much hopeless to attempt to curb his squirrel madness. His recall is good though, so once he's chased the squirrel up a tree or away, he almost always will come back when called.

redforever · 08-30-2006, 09:55 AM

Your dog first of all has to know the meaning of COME. And they have to know to come on the first command. There is nothing worse than seeing someone with a dog saying, come Bowser, come Bowser, come Bowser. I always have to bite myself and not ask, which time do you actually wish Bowser to come? We have 3 English Springer Spaniels. None of them much likes squirrels either. BUT, they come on voice command, they come on hand command and they come on whistle command, even if a rodent is around. It was not a hard concept for them to learn. I guess it all depends on how much training you have done with your dog and how intelligent your dog is.

Kybosh · 08-30-2006, 10:05 AM

As long as your dog can understand and obey the command come then you're more than fine to go to the dog park. It's great socialization and exercise for them. My dog is still young so she doesn't always come immediately but she's learning that if she comes right away she gets a treat. I can get my dog to do pretty much anything as long as there is the proper reward.

gordo67 · 08-30-2006, 01:14 PM

A roommate had a Shiba and if that dog got off the leash it would take forever to get her back.

Eastern Girl · 08-30-2006, 04:02 PM

First of all, I have a husky. He's pretty calm, doesn't bark a lot or get worked up a lot, fairly calm in general.

Secondly, to Fotze, I haven't ever taken my dog to an offleash dog park. There is an area near my apartment that I, and a lot of pet owners in my building, take their dogs to. A lot of those pet owners allow their dogs to go off leash. Some don't, as it is not an enclosed area. I would like to be able to because I think it would be easier for me and nice for my dog.

Thirdly, he is very good with voice commands. But he does sort of lose it when there is a squirrel in sight. He's never been off leash, so I am not sure how he would do with the commands in that situation.

Bertuzzied · 08-30-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastern Girl

First of all, I have a husky. He's pretty calm, doesn't bark a lot or get worked up a lot, fairly calm in general.

Secondly, to Fotze, I haven't ever taken my dog to an offleash dog park. There is an area near my apartment that I, and a lot of pet owners in my building, take their dogs to. A lot of those pet owners allow their dogs to go off leash. Some don't, as it is not an enclosed area. I would like to be able to because I think it would be easier for me and nice for my dog.

Thirdly, he is very good with voice commands. But he does sort of lose it when there is a squirrel in sight. He's never been off leash, so I am not sure how he would do with the commands in that situation.

Not sure if they have it in Ottawa or not but the SPCA here has an off leash class. It is an excellent deal. $80 for 8- 2 hour classes. My shiba failed but i think that was a given before we enrolled. Actually thinking back maybe it was me skipping out on the last 2 classes to watch the Flame-Wings playoff series. hehe

Huskies should definitely be more trainable than shibas. At least they seemed that way in 8 below. I never do this, but my wife sometimes lets her run off leash with the leash attached to her collar. That way if she bolts it's easier to catch her.

Any pics of your husky?

Maritime Q-Scout · 08-30-2006, 07:34 PM

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

holycow! · 08-30-2006, 10:00 PM

We have a Black Lab and I have to admit that he is a smart one that listens really well.

We took him to 2 obedience classes before he turned 1 year old and that atmosphere of having to behave with other dogs around really seemed to stick with him.

He is off leash everywhere we go.

He stays close and like any retreiver "works" scents in the air, grass, bushes back and forth, trying to flush something.

His "heel" and "leave it" are outstanding. When I tell him to "leave it" he lays down and does not move until he gets the OK.

Super with kids of all ages, great friends, LOVE to swim, I would recommend a Lab to anyone.

pepper24 · 08-30-2006, 10:12 PM

Depends on the breed and their age. I have pit bull and would never take the risk of letting her off the leash in a dog park. Even with a leash I avoid dog parks. She is fully trained, good with humans and good with dogs unless they challenge her. She won't start fights but if needed she'll end them.

OilersBaby · 10-11-2006, 04:35 AM

It also depends on the breed. Some dogs are sighthounds (such as Greyhounds), and they can NEVER be offleash because as soon as they SEE something, they will run after it, at 45MPH. Most other families of dogs, retrievers, shepards, huskies, etc...should be fine...just make sure you have taught the doggy his or her name and teach it the "come here" command first. That way, if you let him off leash and he gets into trouble, you saying the "come here" command should force him to come back.

TO teach the come here command, do it indoors, with positive reinforcement such as treats...