Is this a good practice?

[Anthony8858]

I sorta made up our own little game.

I've been making it a habit of taking Kira out with a 20 foot lead, for her "normal" walks. I'm walking on a sidewalk, in a residential area.

I allow her to wonder 20 feet in front of me, then while doing her sniffing, I turn the other way, and say "let's go" She would stop what she's doing, turn and come along.. sometimes running ahead of me the other 20 feet.
I would then walk a few hundred feet, and do it again. I would continue this for quite some time.
In my "untrained mind", it seems like a good practice to get my pup used to following me off lead (in the future), while also allowing her to stretch out a bit, if we're just walking within our residential community.

It's not alway practical to walk in the woods. ...... I don't like wildlife too much. Darn racoons scare me

Opinions welcomed with suggestions

[jocoyn]

IF you see a racoon during the day, steer clear and wide because it probably has rabies or distemper, but otherwise they are not out and about. The are creatures of the night.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

IF you see a racoon during the day, steer clear and wide because it probably has rabies or distemper, but otherwise they are not out and about. The are creatures of the night.

I'm referring to my after hours stroll. Typically 9pm, before putting her to bed.
No one around. Quiet... but dark, and not "woods - friendly"

[KZoppa]

i'm lucky because right now i have a little field area in front of my house. I take Shasta out, even still at a year and a half on the 20ft training lead and we practice come and paying attention to me even when she finds something interesting to sniff. As long as you're careful and she doesnt go into a street and you can see a good distance to make sure there's not dogs who might be loose or anything, you should be okay but i would personally not do that even on a residental street.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

i'm lucky because right now i have a little field area in front of my house. I take Shasta out, even still at a year and a half on the 20ft training lead and we practice come and paying attention to me even when she finds something interesting to sniff. As long as you're careful and she doesnt go into a street and you can see a good distance to make sure there's not dogs who might be loose or anything, you should be okay but i would personally not do that even on a residental street.

I live in a community with only 12 homes. It's a gated private community, and never any traffic. If a car were to come through, i'd have plenty of time to see it coming.

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

I live in a community with only 12 homes. It's a gated private community, and never any traffic. If a car were to come through, i'd have plenty of time to see it coming.

still be careful. You'd be surprised what stray dogs can get into and how much damage they can do before you realize they're even there. In a private community like that, i'd really be more concerned with strays who got loose and wild animals like the racoons or even skunks. Rather take up a better safe than sorry policy than an oops heres a hefty vet bill policy. JMO.