Question about trusting your dog to run free for exercise ...

[agilityk9trainer]

I have never had a dog that I was able to take to a park and just turn loose to run. We don't have a dog park here, so it would have to just be a regular park that isn't fenced in. I would so love to be able to let Kenny run around, but I am SO afraid he would run off and I wouldn't be able to get him back. One day just on a regular walk, he pulled the leash from my hand and wandered off into someone's driveway. He was just sniffing around their car tires, but I panicked ... so afraid I wouldn't get him back. Thankfully his lead got hung uder one of the tires!

Anyway, is there a good way to work up to this gradually ... or should I just stick with being drug by a lead.

Your dog is not a candidate for going off lead. And, as Applesmom said, NO dogs should be allowed off lead in an urban environment. I teach my students that only hunting dogs should be allowed off lead AFTEr much training and a 100 % reliable recall and then only in a hunting environment (the country).

Find a fully fenced public area where you can allow your dog some roaming space. I find tennis courts to be great places. Also, some parks or schools have nicely fence, enclosed large spaces for your dog to run free.

The rule of thumb is: Never off lead in the city unless in a fenced in area. Period. Off lead in the country ONLY with a 100 percent reliable recall AND far away from roads.

Remember, one mishap, and your dog can be dead. Not worht the risk. I'm a professional trainer with titled dogs, but I never allow my dogs off lead outside of a fenced in area - even in the country.

[elizabethann]

What about a ball park? Sometimes those are fenced in (if only partially).

I take Fenway to several ball parks down the street. So far, he hasn't taken off (except 2 years ago when he saw a kitty on the other side of the fence & crawled under it and ran after it - I freaked).

Do you have hiking trails nearby? I take Fenway to several. Some I can't take him off his leash. But others, I can. When he starts to run off, I just call him back and he eventually comes back. When I get closer to the road or parking lot, I make sure his leash is on.

Good luck in finding a place you can take your dog.