Training Your Dog to be Off Leash

Here's a great tip from the trainers at Dog's Best Friend Training, Ltd in Madison, Wisconsin, about training your dog to be "off-leash".

In a safe area without lots of distractions, show your dog a handful of yummy treats. Take your dog’s leash off and immediately drop the treats around him on the ground close to your feet. Try this for a just few seconds at first. Just as your dog finishes the last few treats you’ve dropped, snap the leash back on. As your dog begins to associate “off-leash” with treats and sticking close by, add a few seconds of time off-leash and drop more treats. Learn so much more about teaching your dog to come EVERY time you call her by watching Lassie Come! , one of Dr. McConnell's best-selling dog training videos.

Thanks for this fantastic training tip, Aimee. Trisha and Aimee co-wrote Family Friendly Dog Training: A Six-Week Program for You and Your Dog. You'll find many more training tips inside the pages of this wonderful book!