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Post by tracilg on Sept 9, 2008 12:51:51 GMT -5
Ok - not really a milestone. But we took her for her first ever walk without a leash. Admittedly, it was across our backyard into my dad's hayfield and the cow pasture behind it. But she did it without a leash and never left our sight. Really, she barely left our sides - she was so happy that we were all romping in the field together. The clicker, which we've been using to work on recall, was in my pocket, but wasn't even really needed. Yay! She still has a LONG way to go working on her recall, but it was nice to have a positive experience - especially one she enjoyed so much.
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Post by MiasDad on Sept 9, 2008 16:25:22 GMT -5
That's awesome! Great job on being persistent and caring enough to get her to that point. I am amazed at how much patience it takes for even the most simple things!
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Post by emilys on Sept 9, 2008 20:02:36 GMT -5
I am so paranoid about my dogs running off I rarely let them off leash! You might want to consider putting a long lead (30-50 ft) on her and let her drag it. That why, when she runs off after a bunny, you might have a chance of getting her.
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Post by maryellen on Sept 9, 2008 20:51:15 GMT -5
i would never put a pitbull off leash , ever. but thats just me.. a 50 foot long line like emilys suggested is a much safer idea..
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Post by tracilg on Sept 10, 2008 7:28:45 GMT -5
Please don't flame me. I understand people have to do their own thing. It's our choice to have Babe off leash and it is only for supervised sessions. We live out in the middle of nowhere on an acre, surrounded by about 300 acres owned by my parents. All the neighbors know Babe, so even if she wandered into their yards, it would not be a problem.
Generally speaking, she's on a leash 99% of the time - either tied out for a few minutes for potty time or going for a walk - but we have learned with Babe that practicing recall while she's on a leash is pretty useless because she knows she has to come while she is tethered to us. I want to make sure she still comes even when she's not on a leash and I can't force her too - if that makes sense.
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Post by maryellen on Sept 10, 2008 8:54:18 GMT -5
no one is flaming you.. however, once Babe sees a tasty bunny or other critter her recall will probably not work. i live in the woods literally.. acres and acres of woods.. the temptation for critters for my crew is too much, and i wont chance it. dogs can run fast and far when in the heat of a chase, and god forbid the dog runs to a main road or side road and gets slammed by a car or truck.. its just something to think about.. the practicing of coming when called on leash is to train for that moment when the dog gets off leash and you need to call them back for their life.. hell my gsd who listens the best and who i have called her off turkeys and deer already i wont let off leash anymore, the risk is not worth it, and i dont want to see her go after a bear or coyote or deer and keep going even though her recall is 100%..
when Babe is offleash she isnt supervised..you can be standing right there, and all it takes is for her to take off, you will have no control over her at all except your voice, and if the critter she is chasing is more important then you she will be gone in a heartbeat.
just words of caution. i would hate to see you post here down the road that babe didnt come and was hit by a car or got into a fight with a bear or other animal while offleash...
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Post by tracilg on Sept 10, 2008 10:47:48 GMT -5
No problems. I've been thinking that this site isn't really the place for me lately anyway. While it has been helpful in some instances, it's a little too intense for me, I think. Yes, my dog is part pit bull, but first and foremost, she's just a dog. So the intensity level here just doesn't work for me. I had hoped this was a place where I could share stories, etc. about my dog with a bunch of other dog lovers - because let's face it, not everyone wants to hear about the latest funny thing my dog did - but I've found this group to be a little intolerant of people who don't do things exactly like they do. If you all don't ever let your dog off the leash, well then that must be the only right way to do things. Sorry if that offends, but that one-size-fits-all philosophy just doesn't work for me. So, I appreciate the assistance I've received from members here in the past, but I'm checking out now.
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Post by maryellen on Sept 10, 2008 10:54:44 GMT -5
WOW.. i hate to tell you but the other forums are much more intense.. no one was coming down on you, we were just trying to help... i dont let my pit bull type dogs off leash due to the stigma of the breed, and i dont want something to happen that is bad.. its called being responsible. its too bad you wont stay and learn.
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Post by RealPitBull on Sept 10, 2008 12:00:51 GMT -5
Traci, I wish you wouldn't go. I've always considered you a valuable member of this forum, and I personally love hearing about Babe's trials and successes. I've actually known the people who responded to this thread for quite a few years and have shared time with them on many bulletin boards and email forums. They are caring, knowledgeable breed owners and advocates and I can assure you they didn't mean any flames. I understand where you are coming from, and why you choose to allow Babe loose. But I'd say in 99% of cases I would recommend NOT allowing a dog off leash - any dog, not just a Pit Bull. With Pit Bulls however, they are under much greater scrutiny and the consequences of any incidents are much greater than for other breeds. For that reason, Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix owners believe you should always keep your dog on a leash. So even though if you feel in your situation, this 'rule' doesn't apply, there are other people on this board who are reading what goes on, and for education's sake, it's important to address these things. As far as this board being intense, I assume you haven't spent much time on some of the other Pit Bull forums This one's child's play compared to some of the others LOL
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Post by gina123 on Sept 18, 2008 0:48:31 GMT -5
Where i live if u dog is not on a leash or not on a chain it is consider dog at large. I found that out when my puppy ran out of the house the dog police saw her running across the street. I cought her. The dog police told me that your dog is not on a leash or on a chain it is at large. Even in your frount yard.
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Post by mcgregor on Sept 18, 2008 3:58:17 GMT -5
traclig I agree with Mary Ellen.... always keep the dog on leash. no one is flaming you , this is a learning site with lots of knowledgable people, I have studied the pitbull and know so much but I am not perfect , no one is, Mary Ellen corrected my mistake and I was very glad that she did ... anything can happen with an off leash dog... and you did mention that your neighbors are fine with your dog on their property but if push comes to shove , you are going to be surprised!....please dont leave the site , we are all here to become more responsible dog owners and you too can learn to be even more responsible . we all love to hear your dog stories after all we are all dog people...
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Post by mcgregor on Sept 18, 2008 4:57:35 GMT -5
TRACLIG Often times you hear of pits allowed to roam free at large by irresponsible owners, they attack and kill children and adults/animals; this is the biggest issue of dogs offleash and it is leading more and more to the destruction of the pitbull as a whole,because of all the media attention focusing on dog attacks BSL is sweeping the nation!.... It is not the dogs fault, on a major note it is always the owners because they are being irresponsible without a thought to the consquences..Bad owners = unstable dogs = all dogs to suffer the outrage of their wrong doings, owners are fined or jailed, their dogs confisicated / put to sleep.....now pls dont feel that you are being flamed... we as responsible pit / dog owners can not abide sitting back doing nothing , we have got to reach out and educate the public before its too late , the race to save the pitbull will be all for nil
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