The latest article from The Labrador Site is all about letting your dog off the lead. Giving advice on when to let your puppy run free, and showing you how to let your dog or puppy off leash without him running away. We also look at differences between different dog breeds when it comes to off leash training and safety. And you can watch a video of Pippa’s chocolate Lab Rachael learning to be off leash at just nine weeks old! Off The Leash - How And When To Let Your Dog Run Free
I walk a public golf course after hours and at 4 to 6 months he would stay right with me say no further than 20' but now that he just passed that 6-month mark I can get a decent distance before he starts looking around. But, he does come when called but I have also had zero distractions. Just watched a training video on coming back using a whistle I'm going to start working on it.
Hi Chet and welcome to the forum, be careful using your recall whistle to bring your dog back to you. I mean, that's what it's for, obviously, but if you're constantly calling him away from things that are more exciting, it's a sure-fire way to break your recall. You'd do better (alongside working on recall), rewarding for him "checking in" with you. This might mean, at first, that every time he glances at you, you mark that (with a clicker or "yes!") and toss him a treat. Then, once he has the hang of that and is doing it a lot, start only rewarding the check-ins when he's closer to you. Gradually increase your criteria and give him plenty of rewards from staying close - be that through treats or games - and he'll start to want to be closer to you, because you're the source of all things fun.
Another tip from my trainers, make sure you give him a release word after he checks in and has gotten his treat or play. Never let him go wandering off as if it's his idea, try to tell him it's YOU giving him permission to go further away. My word is FREE. From Leslie McDevitt's book, "Control Unleashed" I also throw a few treats up in the air when I say free as I hate to see my dog racing away from me full tilt like it's the best fun he can have. Plus it could be dangerous.
