dogs that don't require a leash

Max might be able to walk off leash if it was possible to rid  the neighorhood of people, other dogs, cats and squirrels.

Joyce

Ditto for Rory....but not Primo. I'd loose him as soon as he sniffed something magnificent!

My Dad's dogs never have required a leash nor do they take food from strangers....even the most tempting meat.

Years ago he had a amazing Queensland Heeler. We could be walking around downtown and tell the dog "go back to the car" and he'd run back to the truck and jump in the bed without fault. Granted that was when I was tiny and we lived in a very small town. Cant imagien that happening now, lol.

Sampson is an offleash walker.  100pct recall...i don't know about that but its probably 90pct.   We walk off leash in the wooded trail area so he gets tons of exercise.  We leash him up if other people are around.  I have walked him offleash in my neighborhood on many occassions.  He just whines when he sees the neighbors walking their dogs cuz he is not allowed to cross the street.  If he sees a rabbit or squirrel...I wouldnt trust him, he'll go for it unless i see the rabbit the same time he does and can tell him to stay. 

Penny is pretty good off leash. She's afraid of being left behind as well. I keep her on leash on the roads just to be on the safe side, and because there are some dogs in the neighbourhood she doesn't like and when they bark at her she wants to go and tease them from the safe side of their yard fences. She's 100% reliable away from people's houses, though. The denser the vegetation gets, the closer she stays to me. I taught her "off the road" and "stop", but I wouldn't rely on those.

My mother's lab x gordan setter I grew up with was so reliable her leash was this dusty, cobwebby thing I only saw her use once or twice. She'd forget to take it when we all went away for a holiday. That dog was something special, but if she saw a rabbit all bets were off. She'd be back 5 minutes later, though. Penny has next to no prey drive. I foolishly taught her to chase kangaroos, though. 

If I could do something about the rabbits then Gunnar would not require a leash. He has a perfect recall and he listens and knows how to stay close, to heel, to okay you can range out a little, but them darn rabbits popping up and running prevent him being off leash anywhere near a road. I can stop him and get him to return, but the initial burst would be enough to get him killed in the wrong place.

dgriego

If I could do something about the rabbits then Gunnar would not require a leash. He has a perfect recall and he listens and knows how to stay close, to heel, to okay you can range out a little, but them darn rabbits popping up and running prevent him being off leash anywhere near a road.

 I hear you!  Maggie has a nice recall, off leash heel, wait cue, etc. but show her a prey animal and all bets are off.  She caught a rabbit a few years ago and ever since, she has been even worse about chasing and searching for prey.  Getting hit by a car after squeezing through a  4" hole in the fence chasing a rabbit still didn't diminish her drive!  I wish I had a ranch somewhere where she could chase to her hearts content without the risk of traffic - it'd have to be huge though because she is *fast* - I have a feeling that she'd reduce her chasing when she realized it resulted in her getting far away from me.  The few times she has been off lead and has gotten away from me (before she caught the rabbit btw) she'd be back in less than 5 mins when she couldn't hear me calling.  If I kept calling, she'd keep running because she knew where I was lol!

My guys had a bit of adjusting to do to walking on lead again...or, rather, going potty on lead.  They are used to a fenced yard and romps in the woods, so expecting them to potty on a regular lead wasn't gonna happen.  But, once I pulled out the long lines, they were fine.  Mine are relaly good off lead, and the campground is empty right now, but, rules are rules and I'm not going to take any chances.

 One of my dogs harnesses broke probably around a year ago,and i still havnt replaced it,so that goes to show how often my guys are on lead!And they get walked 2/3 times a day. Obviously i dont walk them on roads off lead,even though they are rock solid,i just dont believe any dog is 100% reliable.

As for the Leash Laws,these were designed for dangerous/out of control dogs which mine are NOT.I am not going to punish them by putting them on lead because of someone elses stupid mistakes and a narrow minded Law! I worked really hard to train them and make them reliable,their reward is allowing them free walking.

I think the laws are what they are and you shouldn't decide you don't have to follow them.  And, here they aren't just for dangerous dogs at all.

I live in the country so when I go walking the dogs are off lead. Even little 2lb Kujo goes walking with us. All the dogs are good at coming to me when I call them. They dont pay attention to other dogs except Lillie and Ginger. The more friends the better I guess that's what they think.

If for some odd reason I was out in a public place and there was a no law saying dogs have to be leashed I would only trust Cheyanne.

I live in a suburban neighboorhood. As long as there are cars on the streets, my dogs will be on leash as soon as they are off the premises. It only takes one car, one squirrell, one cat, one dog on the other side of the street, one moment, not worth a life in my opinion. It is not just a question of leash laws (which we have), I view it as a life and death issue.

Laws are for everybody. You can't pick and choose which ones to follow. If leash laws are only for dangerous dogs, I guess traffic laws are only for dangerous drivers, and I don't have to stop at red lights if I'm a safe driver?

We find safe, legal places to spend time off lead. Emma enjoys off lead time, and recently had a WEEK's vacation, all spent off lead, in the country. It was wonderful, for her. Her recall, attention, and general attitude got a big tuneup, and she's working better for me than she ever has.  It's wonderful. I'd never let her free in a public place, or near a road, though.

jennie_c_d

I guess traffic laws are only for dangerous drivers, and I don't have to stop at red lights if I'm a safe driver?

Yes,but going through a red light will no doubt cause an accident and would be a very foolish thing to do.

My dogs listen to me when i call,do not bother other people or dogs and are not a nuisance at all.Therefore i will not stifle their free leisure time by making them plod along on a leash.

Like i said i would never walk them next to a road on the sidewalk without a leash,not that i ever do neighborhood,road walking anyway,but parks,woods,beach etc etc absolutely!I've never had any problems or complaints either.

And keeping a dog off leash, all the time, is likely to lead to an accident, as well. Regardless of what type of accident it is, your dog will be the one who is hurt the most.  

plus, it is pretty rude to have your dogs off leash. people might not complain to you, but they might still be peeved. also there are people who are afraid of dogs, people who might have kids and are more careful for that reason. it's not about logic, but they feel safer, when they see dogs on a leash and have a right to feel safe if there are leash laws.