Our First Off Leash Hike Today!!!!

[jennyp]

I usually take Brody on a hike through Maudslay State Park about two days a week but have always had him on leash. I've posted before about his obsession with squirrels and because of that I was always afraid he would run off after them never to be seen again. But today I decided to take the plunge and see how he would do. I had him drag the line just in case. Well, I'm so proud- it was GREAT!! He would run ahead of me but when he got too far he would turn around and wait for me to catch up. He did try to go after some squirrels but when I gave a stern "leave it" he actually listened!!..not right away, but at least I was able to get his attention away from the little demons It made my heart swell looking at how happy he was running around. And I found out that his recall is WAY better than I thought. Near the end of our hike something must have caught his attention because he took off running. I assumed he would turn and wait but he just kept going! I yelled" Brody,Come!" and he immediately did a 180 and ran back! I was beyond proud.

[RocketDog]

Yay!!! I love love love off leash hikes! Glad you discovered the joys and he did great!!

[jocoyn]

Congrats for the successful hike.

[1sttimeforgsd]

I see more off leash hikes in the future, good job.

[Holmeshx2]

YAY BRODY!!!! And yay for brody's (mom I'm assuming??) I know the stress of trusting them but its amazing how they pull through and just seem to appreciate the freedom and actually try not to break our trust. We had gone somewhere that we couldnt do offleash for awhile and when we get back she was 8 months and starting to act a bit bratty so I was nervous to trust her because she was testing boundaries like crazy but let her off she took off and then stopped and waited for me. I love that look like come on mom. Amazing how many behaviors stop or lesson when you drop the leash. On leash shes forging out as hard as she can and I just drop the leash and she instantly stops and is such a good girl. She has a great stay for me to go ahead and check intersecting paths (people off road sometimes in the area) and then release her to run ahead to the next path. If I hear a noise (we have wild boars fox and other critters someone has mentioned wolves and also had herds of deer run out on the path in front of us) so a good solid wait will stop her in her tracks. I love the wait command its kind of a strong unofficial command I use it a ton of times on our walks. For her it simply means stop whatever you are doing and look to me for further instructions.