Beyond Leash Control - a Dummies Guide

It never ceases to amaze me how often I see people with their dogs off-leash.  There are few things that get my goat as much as this... for several reasons.  For those who feel they are giving their dogs "freedom" - you are wrong - DEAD wrong.  Yes, a dog does like to run free, and for that very reason it is imperative that they be leashed.  People walk their dogs on busy streets, load them in and out of cars, take them across the street, all off leash.  What these folks don't grasp is that a dogs capacity to think is easily startled.  No matter how well trained your dog is, he is likely to be startled by something and totally lose his bearings.  I can tell you this from an experience with a friend.  He has a doberman that I would consider one of the best trained dogs that I have known.  We were at the beach and suddenly the dog decided to run up to the highway.  Luckily he caught up with the dog, and the dog was saved.  However, this could have ended up much differently.

There are many other reasons to keep your dog on a leash if you love your dog.  If someone else is walking by with their dog dog leashed, it will create a conflict that you will be unable to control.  The leashed dog will trigger an instinct in your dog and the two dogs more than likely will have an issue.  Children may  approach your unleashed dog and since you are unable to control your dog he may become playful, chasing and/or playing with the child or worse yet may attack the child.  Yes, these are flukes, but they happen.  There is a time to have your dog free and off leash.  That time is in your back yard and when the dog is playing with other dogs that he may be familiar with or playing with you.  Since I do not recommend dog parks, for reasons that I will explain at another time, I would rule that out as well.  

If you are responsible and love your dog, and would like to keep him alive and with you, a leash is an imperative tool.  Dogs live in a human world.  In a human world, unfortunately there are many things to protect your dog from.  The safest and sanest way to do this is by having your dog on a leash and in control at all times.