[Lins61]

.. although with the weather the way it is, I fear it may be a damp squib! But anyway he had his 2nd injections last Thursday so first walk tomorrow We are all ready for it

 

[MillieDog]

Brilliant. I loved the day I could finally take Millie outside for a walk.

Are you thinking of letting him off the lead straight away? I did and never regretted it. If you want advice on how to do it with confidence just ask. Loads on here have done it.
:twothumbs:

 

[emmelg]

Wow his first walk, it seems like a lifetime away when bailey had his first walk(he's only 18 weeks old) be ready for some sitting and not budging lol x take lots of treats to encourage him, he may be the opposite and run like mad....
Good luck let us know how he gets on...

 

[mairi1]

Oh how exciting ... Molly can go out on friday and I can't wait!! Would love to hear more advice re letting off the lead, I'd be a wreck that the little madam wont come back

 

[Lins61]

Erm I am not sure if I dare. Thing is we learned how to walk with them on the lead at training class on Monday, done on a loose lead with plenty of eye contact, treats etc xx

 

[lady amanda]

enjoy it!!! it is a while new world to little pickle!

 

[flounder_1]

Erm I am not sure if I dare. Thing is we learned how to walk with them on the lead at training class on Monday, done on a loose lead with plenty of eye contact, treats etc xx

Like Julie I too let Lolly off from her first walk and it's the best thing I could have done. We had practiced plenty of recall at home in the garden so I knew she was fairly good at coming back.
I took her to an area I knew was a good distance from roads and did a bit of training while she was still on the lead ( sit, lie down etc) to show her that I had her favourite reward treats (I made sure I'd taken high reward treats - small cheese cubes, sausage, cooked chicken etc) I then let her off her lead. I didn't let her get too far from me but I don't think she would have ventured far anyway as the world outside the garden can seem scary to a puppy! I recalled her often and praised and rewarded each time.

Another really good tip I was given is to put the lead back on and take it off again several times during a walk so the puppy doesn't asociate being recalled with the lead going on and the walk ending.

Hiding behind a tree is another good thing to try. Make it your puppies job to know where you are and not want to be out of your sight.

Lolly has really good recall now (most of the time!!!!) and I'm sure it's because I was brave enough to do it from day one. It's scary I know but well worth it

 

[flounder_1]

If your puppy doesn't come back then you need to make yourself more interesting than whatever has their interest. jump around waving your arms in the air, lie on the floor kicking your legs etc Always using a high sing songy voice. Don't chase your dog!! run in the other direction calling your dog in a playful way!

Another good tip is to choose the right moment to recall - don't bother to try if they are busy playing with another dog as you won't succeed! Wait until there is a lull in the play and then recall.

The hardest time to get your dog back is when there is something much more interesting than you and your bit of sausage!!! lol

 

[mairi1]

That's fantastic advice.. Thank you. I love this site so much... You guys know EVERYTHING . I honestly don't know where I'd be without this forum, I know I don't post much as I obviously am new to dog ownership and don't have much advice to offer but I truly appreciate the time and effort members put into their posts. It makes such a difference just knowing that others go through the same experiences and you always have an answer!

 

[flounder_1]

That's fantastic advice.. Thank you. I love this site so much... You guys know EVERYTHING . I honestly don't know where I'd be without this forum, I know I don't post much as I obviously am new to dog ownership and don't have much advice to offer but I truly appreciate the time and effort members put into their posts. It makes such a difference just knowing that others go through the same experiences and you always have an answer!

I was just like you this time last year!! Lolly is my first dog and all my knowledge has been learned from advice from here and friends!

 

[mairi1]

I was just like you this time last year!! Lolly is my first dog and all my knowledge has been learned from advice from here and friends!

Thank you ... Hopefully in a years time I'll be in a similar position where I can offer advice to new owners... It truly makes a difference

 

[Lins61]

Lol I'm just picturing myself lying on the ground waving my arms in the air and coming home covered in mud from head to foot LOL xx

 

[ali-s.j.]

I took Julie's and Janet's advice on letting off the lead the first day Izzy was allowed out - best advice I had and I would strongly recommend it very early on. Pickle probably won't want to stray more than a few feet from you anyway

 

[MillieDog]

I knew Janet would come up trumps with explaining it. I have a tendency to waffle on

I think you know your own puppy and how much they follow you around at home. This is a good indication that they won't suddenly be let off the lead in a strange environment and dart off never to be seen again. They are babies don't forget and want to keep you close.

When I'm out dog walking the people who complain most about poor recall are the ones who left their puppies on a lead for too long. Once a puppy is older and gains confidence I'm sure they will run off more. They haven't been taught the good behaviour when they were keen learn and please you.

This really should be made into a sticky, got no idea how. A sticky on how to let your puppy off lead from the word go.

 

[Lins61]

Well today has been very blustery, rainy but with a few sunny breaks. Took Mr P off to my friends in Alton. He was sick in the car but was fine once out so we walked up and down the high street whilst my friend shopped. The only place I felt comfortable taking him into was the pet shop But I'm going to keep an eye on that other thread about dog friendly shops! He loved it.. all the new smells, was very interested. All in all I reckon he's been out (and back home) on and off around 2.5 hours today He is now fast asleep in his bed lol and I'm not far behind him!!!

We haven't let him off the lead, we used an extendable one for the last walk in the park and I got my daughter to run off a distance with him and used my whistle to call him.. he came back all right so I'm sure I will let him off fairly soon but just want to make sure it's somewhere where there aren't any little children etc as he is very interested in other people (of course they all are there just for him!) and he is still jumpy and play bitey (although the bitey is lessening). Anyway we have had a great day. I look like a wild woman as my hair has just gone totally out of control but hey never mind.. I have some good roses in my cheeks xx

 

[emmelg]

Regarding the off lead walk...
Have you got a closed off park nearby where you can go where there are not many people about/dogs etc...

We took bailey to a closed off park in the middle of a moor near were we live, there were no dogs and only a few children, he was great never came back every time but he loved the freedom it gave him and he had a good explore..(this was his first walk)

Try somewhere that's not to lively first and then build him up/more people/dogs etc..

 

[MillieDog]

Well today has been very blustery, rainy but with a few sunny breaks. Took Mr P off to my friends in Alton. He was sick in the car but was fine once out so we walked up and down the high street whilst my friend shopped. The only place I felt comfortable taking him into was the pet shop But I'm going to keep an eye on that other thread about dog friendly shops! He loved it.. all the new smells, was very interested. All in all I reckon he's been out (and back home) on and off around 2.5 hours today He is now fast asleep in his bed lol and I'm not far behind him!!!

We haven't let him off the lead, we used an extendable one for the last walk in the park and I got my daughter to run off a distance with him and used my whistle to call him.. he came back all right so I'm sure I will let him off fairly soon but just want to make sure it's somewhere where there aren't any little children etc as he is very interested in other people (of course they all are there just for him!) and he is still jumpy and play bitey (although the bitey is lessening). Anyway we have had a great day. I look like a wild woman as my hair has just gone totally out of control but hey never mind.. I have some good roses in my cheeks xx

Sounds like a lovely day. They do love to explore and take in new smells.

I can so understand what you mean about the wild hair