Off The Lead

[Lise]

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Hello ,

Firstly, I really appreciate the advice and support I find each time I ask a question. I hope I am not getting on everyones nerves, but Floyd is our first whippet and my first dog.

When I spoke to the breeder we got him from she asked had we let him off the lead yet, No we haven't, She said his sister was off the lead and we ought to be letting him off sooner rather than later.

BTW he is 5 months. We did let him off a couple of weeks ago in a horse training area (quite big + fenced) we called him from one to another and maybe we sounded to excited because he just ran so fast, and ran under the fence and into the in laws fields, we eventually pursuaded him to come back.

How should we introduce off the lead, what tone and commands are good? how far if he wanted to run and run would he go, would he eventually come back to us? NO use trying treats he is totally oblivious to them. We live near an old airfield which is HUGE river on one side, fields, end eventually village, railway, roads etc at other (but a long way off) is this a good area, or are we asking for trouble giving him so much space.

Am i expecting too much to soon, we have only had him 5 weeks, the reason I ask is because we went for a walk on the airfield and he kept tugging and running, racing and obviously couldn't as on long lead, so he kept nearly choking & coughing, he even started to wriggle and jump around in a crazy fashion, I was alarmed.

Advice, as always, much apprieciated.

Lise

 

[whippynit]

Lise,

I wouldnt dream of letting him off the lead unless you are 110% sure he's going to come back!!

You said he was tugging and pulling on the lead....Have you taught him to walk to heel to start with? This really is the basics that he should be doing before you think about letting him off the lead.

When you do start letting him off though id put him on a long lead...i.e a rope! and let him have more lead bit by bit, Practise calling him back and gentlly tugging lead to encourage him if not responding and when he does come back.... plenty of praise!!! On no account tell him off when he returns!

Lastly, yes i think its too much letting him off in such a huge area as you say, dogs will be more encouraged to run quicker in a wide open space...I know mine goes hell for leather in the farmers fields (w00t)

Practise in small enclosed areas :thumbsup:

Hope this helps a little

 

[Veredon]

I let my Youngsters off the lead from quite an early age,obviously in a safe enclosed place where theres no obvious Dangers.

I've found that all Dogs are different regarding coming Back on Command.

My present Youngster 'Connor' is really good and comes back at the first call or 'Whistle'.

He Obviously learns his name from an early age his name is the Command I use when I want him to come to me.

I find that if you have a group of Dogs off lead together they are more likely Ignore your Command as they are usually playing with the others.

I take mine out On their own at first and usually mine don't leave my side for the first few times they are 'Off lead'.

Then I usually take a youngster and an Adult out together and let them off together, Obviously the Adult is Used to Coming back to Command and the Youngsters Usually pick this up very Quickly if you give lots of Fuss and Praise when they do Return they pick it up very quickly.

I know you only have one Whippet, but as you 'Bond' together and with lots of Praise and Fuss when he does come back to you im sure Floyd will pick it up quite Quickly.

I would Personally Stick to an Extension Lead for the Time Being and Get him Used to Coming Back to you while still on the lead for time being.

I would also only use a 1 Word word Command for Him to come Back to you such as his Name or 'Come'...and not long drawn out Sentences.

Keep using this command when indoors when Feeding or Giving a toy or generally just trying to get his attention.

Im Sure he'll pick it up Quickly,

Good Luck with Floyd,

Russ :thumbsup: :thumbsup: