13/01/2024
"So when can I trust my dog off lead ?
"Not yet" is usually the answer.
As with everything in training this needs to be worked on and the two key ingredients for having a dog (and trusting them) off lead are...
✅A reliable recall, and it needs to be a reliable one.
✅Lots more check ins, eye contact and engagement.
Another ingredient is excitement !!!
Yours!
While calmness and lessening excitement is needed for many dogs, the time to BE excited and BE exciting is when they come to you when called !
That is worth celebrating.
Don't get into a pattern of just saying good and giving a piece of kibble.....think about this from your dogs point of view.
They CHOSE to come to you when there are a world of distractions out there.
Celebrate that !
Up the value of the rewards, keep it interesting and fun....sometimes some jumping up and down from us, sometimes a piece of chicken or sometimes a favourite toy appears from nowhere.
"Human....you are so exciting to come too, I love coming to you when you call me !!!"
That is how you get a really reliable recall.
Checking in.
Looking at you when there are distractions around is rewardable...give them a tasty treat and guess what magic will happen ?
They will start to check in with you more and more....perfect !!!!
Off lead work really does require a level of relationship that is about fun, excitement and trust.
There are a world of exciting adventures out there for a dog, if they choose to be with you, that is rewardable !!!
Utilise long lines, have exciting rewards and watch the magic happen.
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