We are renting a cabin in the adirondacks this year in August where the property is 1,750 acres and there is also a 110 acre pond on the property. I would really like to just allow the dogs to walk and swim off leash for the most part. They will have a much better time if we aren't holding the other end of the leash, and this property seems like it will be a good place for off leash time. The land isn't completely fenced, but it is fenced when it is near the road and the driveway is gated. The cabin is about a mile away from the road and not visible.
Basically they are only ever off leash at the dog park or beach and in our back yard. Salem has a rock solid recall at the dog park, but when we hike we walk him on a long lead and if he sees a deer he is hard to call off. I am trying to work on his down comand so he will do that and maybe that would work better then his recall in those situations. That would be a concern at the cabin. There are also black bears in the area there. If I can't call him off wild life then I think he will have to stay leashed up.
Cheza is velcro and I would step on her most the time if I wasn't constantly looking down to make sure I didn't. At the dog park she insists on staying within 10 feet of me at all times. If I call Salems name or hers she is right next to me. She is a total follower. She is only 5 months though, so I don't know if that will change before we go. I guess I will just keep track and work on her recall more if I need to. She likes to chase birds, etc. but is easily recalled.
I guess I'm just nervous because we wont be in total safety like at the dog park. The dog beach we go to isn't fenced at all, and we don't have a problem there, but it is within the park which is fenced so it still gives me that security net. I probably have everything covered, but if anyone else has any ideas on things we should work on please let me know.