My two kids each wear a collar at all times with ID tags on. Graham is very well trained, he won't leave my side on walks unless I "release him" so I have no fear that he'd ever run from me and Cassie always walks at my side or slightly behind me on walks and I can let her roam at the dog park without worry of her straying too far from me. Cassie is too stubborn for any formal training, but I think she stays so close to me because she was treated so porely where she spent her first 7 years of life that she does not want to every stray from me. When the weather is warm enough for Cassie to take a walk without her sweater then I put a harness on her, not out of fear that she'd run from me (she NEVER strays from me) but because her breathing is messed up and I wonder how comfortable it is for her to have extra weight (a leash) hanging from her collar. I put a harness on her to avoid any pressure on her windpipe. She really seems to appreciate it.

When I take Graham to an area that only allows leashed dogs, then I put his harness on and use one of those retractable leashes and he knows that he does not have to walk with me, he knows it's ok to do his own thing. When he has his harness on he knows that he's not required to walk with me. I only do that when we go somewhere where he's not allowed off-lead. Otherwise I just let him off lead to explore and to enjoy being a dog. He never strays far.

[This message has been edited by AdoreMyDogs (edited March 10, 2001).]