When Can I Walk My Dog Off-Leash?
“When can I walk with my dog off leash?”
As professional trainers, we get this question all the time from clients, relatives, friends, neighbors, followers on social media, strangers at the grocery store...and to a certain extent, we understand! There’s definitely something very appealing about the Hollywood image of exploring the big wide world with your best friend right at your side and no boundaries in sight. Lassie might not have the same majesty flying over the horizon with little Timmy following behind holding the leash. We think it’s important to remember that these ideas of navigating the world with our dogs perpetually off-leash stem from a fictional realm without the very real hazards we see today. (I can’t seem to recall the episode of Rin Tin Tin where our four-legged hero gets rushed by another dog and goes to the emergency vet.)
The unfortunate reality is that walking your dog off-leash in designated on-leash areas is dangerous and extremely unfair for the responsible pet parents walking with their dogs on leash! We hear horror stories on a regular basis from folx who have had their on-leash dogs rushed and attacked by off-leash dogs, and of off-leash dogs who wind up seriously injured as a result of dog fights, car accidents, wildlife encounters, ingesting dangerous substances, and more.
We know that most people aren’t letting their dogs off-leash with the intention of being jerks or putting their dogs at risk! So we are going to take the time to address some of the most common reasons someone might be tempted to ignore the leash laws and provide some clarity and some safe alternatives.
My dog is friendly.
That’s great, but not all dogs are. There are many dogs (and people!) who would prefer to not get rushed by a dog they don’t know while out for a stroll. Pups who don’t enjoy the company of strangers are not bad or broken dogs! It is completely normal for adult dogs to want some personal space. Think about it: would you like a strange person running up and hugging you without your permission? Of course not! Even a very dog-social dog, when trapped on leash, can find that experience stressful or frightening and may feel the need to use their teeth to get space. This is a common cause of altercations and fights, even for dogs who have never demonstrated aggressive behavior!My dog is well-trained.
This is not a training issue. We work with many very well-trained dogs who respond eagerly and reliably to cues, and we still make a point to follow the leash laws. Why? Because we are working with live animals in an unpredictable world! There is always risk involved with letting your dog off-leash, and there will always be factors and conditions you can’t train for. What if your dog is sick or in pain and you don’t yet realize it, and it causes them to behave unpredictably? What if there is an unexpected event like an earthquake or car accident? Responsible trainers follow the laws and keep dogs on leash, even if they feel their dog would perform well off-leash as a safety measure and a courtesy to others.We use an e-collar when we’re off leash so we have guaranteed reliability.
There is currently no reputable evidence that e-collars offer any more reliability than force-free methods, and studies have actually shown the inverse is true! The use of aversive tools comes with significant and well-documented fallout, including increased stress and aggressive behaviors. There are also many anecdotal reports of off-leash dogs wearing e-collars who have redirected onto on-leash dogs after receiving a remote correction.I want my dog to get more exercise.
Meeting your dog’s needs is such an important topic! There are lots of ways to accomplish this without letting them off-leash. You could consider jogging or biking with your dog, switching out neighborhood walks for hikes with some incline, using toys like flirt poles, or engaging in a fun dog sport like parkour, agility, flyball, treibball, and more. Don’t overlook the benefit of mental exercise as well if you’re looking to get your pup tired out. Training and mental enrichment can be surprisingly exhausting!I want my dog to have freedom.
Is there anything better than just watching a dog run free and have fun? If you haven’t already been clued in to the magic of decompression walks, then you’re in for a treat! Using a long line, you can give your dog all of the freedom to explore, run, climb things, roll in gross stuff, and be a dog without the risks of going off-leash.You can also seek out designated off-leash hikes, beaches, parks, and more! In SoCal, Rosie’s Dog Beach and Runyon Canyon are two popular options where dogs are actually allowed off-leash. If your dog loves being off-leash but isn’t a big fan of other dogs (which again, is totally normal and fine), definitely check out Sniff Spot for spaces you can rent by the hour for your dog to safely roam!My dog pulls too much on a leash.
Leash pulling can definitely be a pain (literally and figuratively.) You’d be surprised at how much a non-restrictive harness with a front clip, like the Balance Harness or Freedom Harness, can help manage pulling. Even switching out the 6 ft leash for a longer line can ease some of that leash pressure! Of course, no piece of equipment will train your dog for you, and if loose leash walking is a struggle for you, we’d love to help with private coaching or group classes.I want my dog to play with other dogs.
Playing on leash with dog friends gets tangled fast! While we usually suggest going off-leash for play, we only recommend doing so in safe, designated off-leash areas. Backyards, Sniff Spot locations, and fenced-in dog runs. You can also consider playing with both dogs on long lines in a public park, but exercise caution when there are multiple long lines in the mix. As amazing as these tools are, there are risks involved including rope burn.Holding the leash is super annoying.
We hear you on that, especially if there is any accidental tension on the leash from your dog pulling ahead or stopping frequently to sniff! One of our favorite solutions to this is simply switching to a hands-free leash system. These can attach around the waist or over the shoulder.Everyone else has their dogs off leash.
This is one of the main reasons we are writing this blog. Unfortunately, allowing dogs to roam off leash is incredibly common. Some neighborhoods seem to designate their own “off-leash” areas and regularly let their dogs run around. These neighborhoods are especially hard for anyone with a dog who may not want loose dogs approaching them, and a nightmare for folx with fearful or reactive pups. What’s even more unfair is that the on-leash dog, after being pushed to the point of reacting, is often vilified as a “bad,” “mean,” or “aggressive” dog.If your neighbors are repeatedly guilty of this, we encourage you to try and gently educate them about how harmful their actions are. If a direct conversation isn’t possible, you can print out and distribute this free Space Etiquette for Dogs pamphlet by the amazing Lili Chin. You can also share this blog on social media! In the meanwhile, stay safe and consider driving to decompression walk sites instead of navigating the neighborhood.
For any readers who enjoy off-leash walks with their dogs, we get it. We really, really do! But please, for the sake and safety of your dog and your community, please keep your dog on leash.
If you live in an area where off leash dogs are allowed then please check out this amazing Podcast by Rachel Harris & Vinny Viola about building off leash reliability in a positive way!