You can start by playing a simple game of follow the leader the first day your pup is home. Follow him and tell him what a good pup he is. Follow him, let him explore and sniff, making sure he is safe and within his limits. After about a week he will happily walk and follow or walk and be followed on a leash. Every time you take him outdoors, encourage him to follow you the same way he did at home. If you crouch down, spread your arms out to the sides, and use your sweetest voice, he’ll gladly let go and run toward you.
When training your dog off leash, stay in a protected area for at least the first month of training. You can start working with your dog in the park. Use both the short and long lines so that when you remove the drop line the dog is still wearing something. After he is working well on the drop line, take it off and immediately remind him to queue up. If he lags behind or moves to the side, make a sharp correction with your eyelash, then praise him. Work for only a few minutes so that by the time you quit smoking you are still working well. Don’t push him to make mistakes. Instead, build in the time that he will stay with you and intelligently obey you off his leash and in this exciting new environment.
Continue working on all of the old commands and all of the new safety commands with the regular leash, drop line, barb, alternating in no particular pattern. While you work, test your off-leash belays with the bolt-on fence. Try the “Drop” on withdrawal, the emergency one, the serious “Come”, “No” and “Wait”. However, don’t work your dog to death or make a game of it.
After months and months of training your dog off leash in a fenced area, at the park, on the drop line and on the tongue, you are now in control of your dog and its behavior. When you are very confident and sure that your dog is intelligent and obedient in all safety commands, start trying “Stay” and “Come” from a distance in the park, first with the long line dragging and then with just the tab.
If he is attentive and obedient now, you can start working with him on the street. Begin with a heel lift while holding onto the strap tab. Drop the token and follow him for half a block. Before you approach the corner, stop, have him sit, and then praise him. Pick up the bill and take it home. Build your confidence with each session. If you love the idea of taking your dog for a leisurely walk off-leash on a busy city street, you’re well on your way to that goal. You have to keep working with the tab on your dog’s collar and all your attention on it. Soon this kind of practice and pleasure will become second nature to both of you.
Remember to stop your pup any time he bites or chews on his leash. Say “No” firmly and remove the leash from his mouth without playing tug of war. If it persists, repeat the word “No” followed by a firm but gentle upward tug on the leash to release it from its mouth. The handler must always think ahead and anticipate what the dog might do next. It is a skill easily acquired if one becomes disciplined enough to give the dog constant attention. Without good timing, training degenerates into a matter of strength.
Below are some final points to keep in mind about training your dog off leash:
1. Your dog doesn’t have to be off-leash every minute of an off-leash walk. If you meet a friend, see a large window display, or find some other tempting distraction, adjust your dog’s leash until you can return to giving him your full attention.
2. Always have a leash with you, even when you plan to keep it away from the dog.
3. From time to time, remind your dog that you are the leader of the pack. The best non-violent way to do this is with the long “Down” (half hour).
4. Never expect a great concentration from your dog when he is repressed and needs to exercise. Always give him a good run before going on the street without a leash.
5. When looking for a good controller, don’t forget to play some games and have a laugh.
6. When training and behavior start to look tricky, don’t be afraid to go back to square one and set everything back on leash.