It's not too late at all! You're doing it the right way. You may find that you need an e-collar down the line to enforce and proof what you've already taught your dog but there certainly is no window for off leash work.
Does off-leash work/training have to start when the pup is really young, during that phase where they don't want to lose sight of you?
I brought Sophie to work yesterday afternoon and was chatting with my boss about this. I mentioned that we have only had her off-leash in the confines of our backyard and at the leash-free park. (We live in the city/burbs so unless we go to, say, a conservation area or park, leash is always required.)
I'd said that it would be nice to have confidence in her behaving off-leash, and that I was practicing with her on a 30ft leash in the park, changing directions often and practicing recalls, but he said at her age (8.5 months) it's probably too late.
Is he right? I'll continue working with her anyway, but I hope that one day, if we go up north to a beach or trail, we'll be able to walk with her unleashed.
Thoughts? Advice? Please and thanks in advance.
Sophie: Born July 28, 2014
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It's not too late at all! You're doing it the right way. You may find that you need an e-collar down the line to enforce and proof what you've already taught your dog but there certainly is no window for off leash work.
SoapySophie (04-11-2015)
Teaching COME
If you mean my method at the link above, yes, it's too late. She is most likely far too confident on her own for that to work. But you can still train her on a reliable COME, there are other methods. You can use a long line. You can morph North/south fetching into a whistle recall, as I did.
Snowshoe's Album: North/South Fetch
Susan Garret has a program called Recallers. I think that's the name and I think Tanya is doing that one. Tanya?
SoapySophie (04-11-2015)
She does still run to me if I hide behind something (outside) and follows me around when we're inside. I will try the North/South idea next time we're at the dog park in the solo area.
She is ok with the COME command, though it doesn't work so well yet with distractions (if she already has something in her mouth or other distractions/people/dogs) are around. Lots to work on with this one.
Sophie: Born July 28, 2014
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Still play the hide and seek game. I wouldn't rely on it to train COME but it's fun for both of you and helps reinforce Come as fun.
It doesn't have to be you who hides, you can pretend she is hiding too. Sneak up on her, give her a quick poke, yell COME and run away as fast as you can. She will probably run after you in glee. Sort of combining Tag with Hide and Seek.
SoapySophie (04-11-2015), Starla (04-15-2015)
I like it. Thanks.
Sophie: Born July 28, 2014
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Archie was 5 when he took the Total Recall class. He loved it. I still would not let him off leash in unconfined areas but there are several very nice places around here where he has acres to run and I know he can't get in trouble. His first try was at a lab rescue event with dozens of running loose dogs and he was spot on in recall. Again, he was in an area where the area was fenced, about 5 acres.
SoapySophie (04-11-2015)
Can I ask under what circumstances you want to have your dog off-leash?
Well, none really, at the moment. I was thinking of when she's older and more relaxed. She's way too hyper right now.
Sophie: Born July 28, 2014
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