Your Dog Unleashed?

By Devene Godau, CPDT

Many dog owners wonder when it is safe to walk or hike with their dogs off-lead.

Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question. There are many variables to consider before deciding when, and if, your dog is ready to take on the world off-leash.

First, it is important to acknowledge that no dog can be trained to 100% reliability. No matter how well trained the dog, there is still the potential for a situation to pop up that you've not trained for, and the consequences could be devastating. I hear stories all of the time about dogs that have walked off lead for years until one fateful day when something catches their attention.

Consider what your dog's breed was developed for. Sight hounds (such as greyhound, whippets, and borzoi) were bred to hunt by sight, and that drive can be so strong that they will take off at the sight of a squirrel, or sometimes even a leaf floating through the air. Scent hounds (such as beagles, basset hounds, and coonhounds) were bred to track by scent, so again, the job they were bred to do will often be more motivating than anything else in the environment. Please consider that hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of years of breeding for these jobs may not be compatible with your dreams of letting your dog off-leash in an unfenced area.

If you intend to train your dog off-lead, please do not expect too much too soon. It could mean your dog's life! We often hear from people who want our help with a dog that keeps running away. The fix is simple: get the dog on a leash and start training. Do not let your dog outside unleashed until you are sure your dog will respond to your cues reliably under those circumstances.

Realize that when training your dog to walk off-leash, or to run in an open area, you need to work with the dog safely (on lead) around increasingly intense distractions first. Can you be sure your dog won't want to run off and visit other animals in the park? If you have only worked on “coming when called” in your living room, he probably isn't ready to respond to the cue in the park.

Signing up for a group obedience class that teaches positive reinforcement will help build control around other dogs and people. Then practice, practice, practice. Buy a long line and practice in your yard, in the park, at the soccer field, and anywhere else you can think of. Your dog’s response to come must be solid in all of these environments before even considering taking that lead off.

Before unleashing your dog, please consider the following:
• Leashes keep your dog safe, and not just from the obvious dangers like cars. Leashes will help prevent your dog from eating garbage, drinking contaminated water, and eating animal feces, which can lead to diseases like parvovirus. Dogs might also find dead animal carcasses… gourmet cuisine in Fido’s eyes. You want to be able to prevent all access to these things.
• Leashes give you more control when meeting up with other dogs. Your dog might love all other dogs, but can you be sure about the other dogs you meet?
• Consider local leash laws to avoid fines.
• Please be respectful of signs posted requiring leashes. Failure to abide by these rules may result in all dogs being banned from these areas.

When you do choose to unleash your dog, please make sure to:
• Keep both eyes on your dog. You want to be able to call him away from anything he might attempt to eat or play with.
• Please make sure to clean up after your dog. People not picking up after their dogs is the biggest reason dogs are banned from public areas, so bring plastic baggies.
• Keep a leash handy. If your unleashed dog is making other dogs or people uncomfortable, put the dog on leash, and take him out of the situation.
When in doubt, use a leash. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Your dog's life depends on it.

Senior Walking
Buddy

Angus is also featured with the Geeks on page 11. This older guy was brought to a local shelter with his lady companion. He is 10 years old and is a gentle giant. Like most older gentlemen he is sweet and will do just about anything for the ladies. He would do well with a daily stroll in the park. Angus is a neutered male and weighs 92 lbs. He is a large lab/mix. Angus is available for adoption at the Oregon Humane Society.

There are many older guys and gals at your local shelter that would make a great companion and just looking to spend their senior years in a loving home. If your looking to adopt a pet please consider a senior dog or cat.

For more information on pet adoption or volunteering, please call 503-285-7722 or logon to www.oregonhumane.org

Why Should You Adopt a Senior Dog?
Maybe you are reluctant to adopt a senior dog because you fear that your time with your new best friend will be short, bringing that painful time of loss closer. But the privilege of loving a senior dog makes every single day special, as you and your companion share love, friendship, and a special relationship that grows stronger with the knowledge that you have given this fine old dog a second chance at life.

Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog
Senior dogs love to sleep and cuddle the day away. They enjoy a brisk daily walk, but the best part of the day is the nap. They love for you to join them.

Senior dogs have a tremendous amount of love to give. When you rescue a senior dog, you have a best friend for life.

Senior dogs reward your care with an unwavering devotion. Nothing matches the love of a senior dog for his rescuer.

Senior dogs have learned many of life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.
Senior dogs know that great outdoors is for eliminating and the house is for relaxing. Your carpet will last longer with a senior dog.

Senior dogs can learn new tricks and be valuable family and community members. They make excellent therapy dogs.

Senior dogs often fit into your household with ease. They find the softest, warmest spot in the house and claim it for their own, but they will share with you, too.

Senior dogs make excellent companions for everyone, especially senior people.

Senior dogs are often the first to be killed in area shelters. Passed over for cute and cuddly puppies, they often do not have a chance and must go to make space for more puppies. n

Source: The Sactuary for Senior Dogs