Training Your Dog to Go Off-Leash

So many times we hear “My dog, off-leash, under control? Yeah right, that’s a dream!” But you can! Dogs love to explore their world without the hindrance of a leash. Imagine going on hikes without a leash tangling you up, going camping without having to pack cumbersome hitching gear, or working around your yard with your dog by your side. Having a dog that’s able to be off-leash and under control is possible. 

For your dog to truly be off-leash chained, your dog must be properly trained to behave well and respond to your voice control at all times. If your dog is well-tempered, not aggressive, has minimal prey drive, and a low propensity to wander, there’s a possibility you can trust your dog off-leash. 

Our professional dog trainers in Reno offer their advice on training your dog to run off-leash. 

Train Basic Commands

Before ever allowing your dog to be off-leash, set a strong foundation by training your dog with basic commands. During our dog board & train programs in Reno, we teach your dog basic commands like:

• Sit
• Stay
• Come
• Place

These are all great places to start when you’re looking to lay your base foundation. 

Commit to Repetition & Consistency 

Having a consistent command and repeating the wanted behavior is key to reinforcing the idea that it’s valuable for your dog to come when called and stay close to its people. Using a long lead in a quiet area is an excellent place to start. As your dog is consistently able to come when called, slowly add different levels of distractions. 

If your dog completely ignores your recall, scale back your training and remove distractions. 

Keep a Level Voice

If your dog completely ignores your command, stay calm and keep a level voice. If you sound angry, your dog is less likely to approach you. Imagine a person shouting at you; would you be willing to walk towards them? Don’t rush towards your dog, either. It might trigger a game of “catch me if you can”, driving your dog towards more risks. 

Choose High-Value Rewards

During a training session, you want to reward your dog with something high-value. What does your dog really love? For some dogs, a special toy is a great reward. For other dogs, a smelly treat will catch their attention. Whatever it is, your reward will help teach your dog that it’s highly valuable to stay close to you. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Not sure where to start? Contact our professional dog trainers by filling out our contact form or by calling (775) 741-4115