So I was really brave and went out for a little family walk by the river. It was very distracting for Meg with 2 noisy 5 year olds, lots of dogs, people, fishermen, ducks and new smells. Bless her she was awesome off the lead. Her recall was brilliant, she was really tuned into us, followed us and came "this way" when called. Her recall for a piece of cheese was awesome. She is 14 weeks. Thanks Pippa as I am rather "old school" I would never have been brave enough to let her off the lead so young without reading all your advice. It was a fantastic experience for all of us and long may it last
Re: Just wow ! Ahh that's lovely to read. People were always amazed with my dog when she was off the lead as she was so tiny they couldn't believe she stuck with us. 14 weeks is an interesting age, i hope you're enjoying her!
Re: Just wow ! Brilliant, it's a great feeling isn't it! We did the same today, Maisie (11 weeks) was fab off the lead on the beach, stuck to me like glue! Later I took her on a little walk near to home off lead and again stayed with me! "Total Recall works"!!!
Re: Just wow ! Brilliant news That was the best thing I ever did for Hattie was let her off lead as soon as her jabs were done, they just don't want to leave your side when so tiny. xx
Re: Just wow ! Oh well done indeed, thats lovely to read Like Helen , we let Sam off lead as soon as the vaccinations allowed, love to see a puppy scampering about
Re: Just wow ! This is so encouraging and amazing to hear! I am quite afraid of trying this, mine is only 10 weeks old but I just don't see her sticking close to me I see her taking off! How do you get over the fear?
Re: Just wow ! Hi thanks for all your lovely encouragement. I think Aburns start somewhere quiet with minimal distraction to build your confidence. Meg has been off the lead since her jabs kicked in but it has taken me till now to somewhere where I knew she would be so distracted and me too with my boys. Build up slowly and be brave. It works
Re: Just wow ! Take her somewhere safe I.e. Not too close to roads or too busy. Just let her off. At 12 weeks they tend to stick by you and don't stray far at all. If it helps, have 2 of you and call her from one to the other, give the recall command as she comes towards you, then treat/reward her when she gets to you. I was very anxious about letting Harley off, but once I did I was so pleased and have never looked back
Re: Just wow ! [quote author=Aburns link=topic=6234.msg81830#msg81830 date=1401051293] This is so encouraging and amazing to hear! I am quite afraid of trying this, mine is only 10 weeks old but I just don't see her sticking close to me I see her taking off! How do you get over the fear? [/quote] Aburns.....be brave in a safe place x .I was really scared at first....were we live we couldn't fly Dexter in to live with is until he was 5 months,he'd hardly been on a lead with his breeders.He is our first dog and I was a nervous wreck.I didn't find this forum until about a month in but started reading Pippas articles about letting your puppy off his lead and knew it was important to do it.Other forum members supplied lots of advice on how to keep him focused on me ,games to play and of course Total Recall.I didn't think whistle training a recall was something I could or should do with a dog that was just a pet....oh my goodness,it was the best thing ever,just seeing him respond to the house excercises gave me so much more confidence once I knew he would come back,I was so much more relaxed.we still cant recall from a cat chase ,so I just have to make sure I'm on the watch for any furry tormentors ;D
Re: Just wow ! Well done. Meg too was off lead as soon as vet check and vaccinations done. She was good too at coming back when called. Love seeing pups running around.
Re: Just wow ! I've let Albert off the lead since first allowed out. He's 15 weeks now and doing really well with recall, even on a busy beach! If I hadn't read Pippa's book I don't think I would have tried it so soon. So many people have said he's too young to be off lead, but then are amazed when he comes to the whistle!!!! It's a fantastic feeling although I'm well aware he isn't proofed and I've got a long way to go yet. Good luck and keep it up. Jan
Re: Just wow ! I totally agree Teapot it's a fantastic feeling but am well aware we have a long way to go. Thanks to Pippa though as we are enjoying the moment
Re: Just wow ! I'm going to give this a try when my husband is home! I have a whistle and she already does really well with a verbal recall so fingers crossed! Thank you for the inspiring post and well done!
Re: Just wow ! [quote author=Aburns link=topic=6234.msg81830#msg81830 date=1401051293] I am quite afraid of trying this, mine is only 10 weeks old but I just don't see her sticking close to me I see her taking off! How do you get over the fear? [/quote] Don't delay! When they are 4 or 5 months old, and quite happy to leg it over the other side of the beach on their own, you'll look back fondly on the "stick like glue" days! Make the most of them, you won't regret it - it really does help later. I picked a football pitch in the middle of a park and just let him off his lead. He didn't go more than 5m away.
