Dog Community

Off-leash Playing During Class, Should it be Allowed?

Posted : 3/15/2011 9:30:07 AM

This is a question I have been going back and forth in my mind. Should I allow off leash playing in my classes?

The class I am currently assisting with, the trainer allows the dogs to play freely before and after the class off-leash. It seems to work out well so far but it concerns me that something could go wrong in a split second. We are constantly on top of watching the dogs play to make sure it doesn't get out of hand. I really don't know if this is something I want to continue to do once I start teaching my class. My class is already going to be different then the trainer I'm working with, I'm just not sure if I want to keep somewhat of the same structure to what people are already familiar with at our facility.

Other classes I have taken my own dogs to would never allow the dogs to run freely like this except in puppy classes. The dogs would only be allowed off leash in intermediate or advanced classes once the dog already knows the commands. Those classes were also much more structured where everyone had to have the same leash, same type of collar and more focused on competition type training. Gizmo is highly reactive and can be set off almost instantly, so I sought out trainers/behaviorist who were very experienced with the herding breeds and this type of behavior. The class I help with is a much more relaxed then anything I took my own dog to and what I've been researching in preparing for my class.

I know socialization is important, but is it necessary to allow the dogs to play off-leash at the start and end of class?

stardog85

Posted : 3/15/2011 9:54:17 AM

IMO off leash play in a group class should be restricted to young dogs. Once my dog has good dog-dog skills and reaches adolescence /adulthood, I want the focusing on *me* not on playing with other dogs.

When I taught group classes we had a puppy class (up to 16 weeks) and an adolescent class (17 weeks to 10 months) that included off leash play, but once a dog aged out, there was no off leash play in class. As dogs age, more and more no longer have the desire and/or the social skills to handle group play; this means you'd be excluding "normal" dogs from class and that would be unfair.

IMO, the last thing we need is more people thinking their dog is "bad" because they aren't a dogpark dog. YMMV

Jewlieee

Posted : 3/15/2011 10:38:10 AM

puppy classes and young dog classes are good for off leash play imo.

Xebby

Posted : 3/15/2011 10:40:56 AM

Thank you! I don't think dog park behavior is part of the goal that I working towards anyway. It is open to any age but because of the nature of this being a relaxation class, the type of dogs I have registered right now are older and dogs who need a little more special attention. I'm leaning more on the side of sticking to strictly a class where the dog must stay on the leash during the entire session. I just want to be able to explain myself when I'm questioned why they can't be off the leash.

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/15/2011 10:41:25 AM

I always let puppies and young adolescents play. With adult dogs, because I have a lot of experience with it, I do let them play if all the dogs enjoy it - occasionally I will suggest that a particular dog come to class when the actual class starts, just after the play time. We always spend some time in each class discussing play styles, what's normal and what's a red flag, and what to do if your dog doesn't like physical play with other dogs.

Do what you are comfortable with. Puppies age 8-17 weeks are the only group I consider play mandatory with.

JackieG

Posted : 3/15/2011 10:45:54 AM

Xebby
It is open to any age but because of the nature of this being a relaxation class, the type of dogs I have registered right now are older and dogs who need a little more special attention

I think you're on the right track to not have off leash play with this type of class, for the reasons Erin posted. There's no point to it and it can easily become overwhelming for some dogs. Certainly won't help with any sort of relaxation exercises to get the dogs all ramped up playing even if you waited till after class was over. The dogs should be focusing on their owners and not each other.

Liesje

Posted : 3/15/2011 11:09:07 AM

I like how our trainer does it. No play or greeting before class, b/c then the puppies are all amped up and fixated on each other, but after class you may approach another owner and ask if they want to play for a few minutes. Someone asked if their dog could play with Pan and I said sure, but then their dog acted shy and scared so we quit after letting them sniff each others' butts. I personally couldn't care less about dog-dog interaction at training. I've got dogs I trust I can socialize my dogs with and I know what types of interactions I want and what ones I don't. So generally after class we just leave or keep working on obedience in a corner if other dogs want to play. But for those that want to do it in a controlled setting, they are allowed to ask after class.

griffinej5

Posted : 3/19/2011 10:56:54 PM

In puppy class, I think it's almost expected. I don't think I've ever been to a class for older dogs where it has been done, or correction, it is not done regularly. When we went to recall class, it was done, because we practiced calling our dogs away from playing. I've been asked once or twice to let my dog greet and play a little bit with a more timid dog in class. I think in the type of class you are in, it's probably better not to.