Hello, I'm new here and new to being a dog owner too! We welcomed a beautiful little Lab in to our lives and we just adore her and all the madness she brings. Unfortunately I read a lot about recall and not to let a puppy/dog off the lead until they have a good recall (with training at home, in the garden) after reading Pippa's guidance and reading posts of others experiences...I feel we have done it wrong! our beautiful little Alma is now 4 months and we haven't let her off her lead outside. My question is, have we left it too late now and will this cause any issues? Any advice welcome and appreciated. Carrie x
CarrieAlma it is not an issue about age at all. It is about whether your dog will come back when you call or will disappear over the horizon. If the latter, then you keep your dog on some form of insurance policy--a long line. It may take months and months and months of training to have a bullet proof recall. Will your off-lead dog come or chase the deer? I believe that the former choice cannot be expected of a 4 month old dog.
Alma does get distracted when out, so a long line would be best. I have worked on her knowing her name and recall since we brought her home, she does come when called at home/in the garden but there are little distractions really.
You haven't left it too late but equally don't just her off to see what happens. Try to set her up for success. Get a long line, I think 10m at most would be good and try to let her off leash completely in a relatively safe and quiet park. Get some luxury treats and give them to her and make a big fuss when she comes back, maybe give her a few before letting her off just to put the thought of them into her head.
I just want to thank you both for your comments, they have helped us so much. We purchased a long line and things have been going great, we have even managed a few times off the lead with quite a good recall. Still lots of training to be done but its been a real positive start ☺ Alma has very much enjoyed herself.
