Let's talk about off leash dogs.
If your dog can't do this ⬇️ you should not let them off leash! As a dog walker and someone who loves taking my own dogs everywhere I go, off leash dogs are something I witness very often. I am all for it if your dog can immediately recall like my dog in the video, but let's talk about what can happen if you let your dog off leash and they cannot recall. They could run off chasing something whether that's a car, an animal, or a person. This can put a lot of distance between you and your dog and they can get lost especially if in an unfamiliar area. Another thing I see often is off leash dogs approaching on leash dogs. When dogs meet face to face on a leash it causes a lot of tension and even the friendliest dogs could get overwhelmed and resort to guarding themselves. When an off leash dog approaches your on leash dog you should always create space for your dog to keep them safe. You never know how another dog will act! Another issue you could face with letting your dog off leash is running in the road, your dog should never be in the road unless they are with YOU and it is safe. I recommend practicing recall on a 10 foot long line and reinforcing with treats every time. Recall can save your dog's life! Even if you don't let them off leash there is always the possibility that they slip out the door or get out of their collar. It's better to be safe than sorry!
