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

[Kfamr]

Kiara is only ever left off lead when we are at the beach. And even then, I often put her on the lead because I get paranoid.

Kiara has one of the best recalls I've ever known in a dog. She rarely wanders from myself or someone in my family. She has no prey drive, little to no interest in other dogs or animals, and couldn't care less about other people unless they are throwing a frisbee or tennis ball.

However, she still ran off one day because she was spooked. She will never be allowed off leash in a neighborhood again.

I often put her on a 30ft leash and allow her to run with that in our front yard. If her recall doesn't work I can easily run atleast 30ft behind her stepping on her leash.

I trusted her but after her missing for 5 days, that trust has been broken, and I will not trust any of my other dogs off leash in a urban area again.

[shais_mom]

Shaianne my greyhound who all but one time - the only time she was "loose" was an accident! I took her to a ball diamond once but was so nervous that even tho it was enclosed I stayed right behind her the entire time and she never even knew she was offleash!
Keegan on the other hand is usually pretty good unless a neighbor is out and she goes visiting. My parents call her the neighborhood PR person.
At their house they have 3 acres so she is rarely on the leash at their house. If we are taking a walk - she is on leash.
At my parents cottage - if we walk I have her leashed - now my dad can take her for a walk down the road and have her off leash and you couldn't tell it - she stays right by him and listens. She knows she has too. Me - PUSHOVER - ehh not so much. So I don't chance it - when we take walks unless its in the middle of a trail or woods - she is leashed.
I would try some of the local schools or parks if they have baseball diamonds fenced in - just make sure you clean up after him to be a good "neighbor".
Does Kenny like to retrieve? that is another incentive - if we go walking at the resevoir I usually keep a couple balls with me b/c she just LOVES tennis balls and keeps focused on them so she doesn't go far. I've even take them to the vet before!
Also Keegan is 5 years old but with her bilateral hip dysplasia - she doesn't run off much anymore **((knocks on wood))** b/c after awhile her hips get tired and she lays down.-
having a big dog is so much fun. I mean you can do all of this with a little dog but romping in a field isn't the same. And the only reason I say this is b/c my neighbor is an avid hunter and they have a 10 pound shih tzu and he has tried taking her with him before just to check his stands and she can't jump over the fences or gets stuck in the weeds - and her hair is so long then he has to spend an hour brushing the cockleburrs out of her coat when they get home (or catch h-e-double hockey sticks from "mommy" ). Zoe the shih tzu LOVES to go with daddy but he has to pick her up and carry her half the time.
good luck and have fun