Very proud mummy sat here.




Ollie went OFF LEAD for the first time in about 18 months. I'm so proud of my baby boy. He was AMAZING, the best I could have hoped for.

I started the walk doing some recalls, and he was doing it spot-on, on first command and immediate turn-round to come to me. So after a bit more talking to myself about whether I should or not, I just clipped the lead off. He was perfect, didn't do a disappearing act or anything. He acted as normal as anything and looked like he'd been off lead every day of his life. He must of known he was off lead, as a flexi lead has a constant tension, but he did great recalls. He was only off lead for about 2 minutes (I ran out of treats), but its a great starting point.

I felt a bit sick and just wanted to run after him and grab him, but I put a bit of trust into him that he wouldn't b*gger off, and it worked. I think after so long with having the security of a lead, it was very nerve-wracking, but I got through it.

I am definitely going to be doing it gradually and in the right places. Some places I know are too excitable for him and so either he'll need lots of work to go off lead, or he stays on lead in those places. But other places are ok for letting off, as he's calm when walking in those and there's not too much danger (ie roads etc). But I suppose if he can go off lead a few times a week (and flexi lead on the other days), that's better than nothing.

Here's some pictures of him today:

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

YAAAAAAAAY!!!

Well done! lovely pictures!

xxx

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http://www.dogstardaily.com Fantastic site full of great information.

http://www.dogsinneedofspace.co.uk/ goodvic2's excellent site for dogs like mine!

That's brilliant news! Well done, all your training with Ollie is obviously paying off

That's great! Well done for all of your hard work and well done to Olly for being such a good boy.

aaaaw well done Ollie for being a good boy!! and well done to you for being so brave

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Well done to you both!

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I know that horrible feeling as they disappear over the horizon! What kind of place was it that you felt safe to let him off? I keep my eyes open for places for the pussy cat (Zak).

Is Ollie into tennis balls? Zak's recall can be rubbish but since I discovered the utter obsession with tennis balls and the ball launcher, he is 100% focussed, although when I didn't realise he had the ball on Sunday and kept asking him to 'seek on', he got bored and p!ssed off!

My biggest tips are 100% attention on what the dog is doing and tons of high value treats.

I think it's brilliant that you relaxed enough to do this: keep us updated on the next adventure!

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Transplanted Geordie
RIP Jake, my best dog. 10.8.10
RIP Boomerang, beautiful horse. 27.5.08

thanks guys.

Ollie loves his tennis balls, however he sometimes goes and hides with it, so I don't know if its such a great idea outdoors. I'm going to take his dummy out on walks though because i'm training him to bring that straight back to me. maybe i should do that with the tennis balls too.

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

I would suggest that whatever you get him addicted to and retrieving outdoors is something that he isnt allowed free play with whilst in the house.

Our two are tennis ball obsessed and the only time they get tennis balls is when outside on a walk. The only ball indoors is a biggish rope ball, so that they do not get fed up or use a tennis ball indoors for play.

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What a huge step for you; well done for making the leap and well done to you and Ollie - the training is obviously really paying off .

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