Hi, we took Tyson over the woods last night, had a chat with a few dog owners, dogs had a sniff ect. When we got in the field we, nobody around we let him off. He stayed close to us, came over when called, for a treat. When he has been on the lead we have had lots of dogs come over, on and off leads, and it has been fine, he is a bit scared at first (after being pined down by the throat by another dog, that got of the lead at the dogs home), but once he realises they dont want to eat him he is fine. I just dont know when to start letting him of the lead when other dogs are around, he has to be socilised in everything as he is large breed. Im worried he will follow the other dogs and not come back to me, we pass so many dogs all playing together on the beach, id think he would love it. Anyone got any tips???????????

I was discussing this very subject with Toffee's trainer last night ... and she advised that unless the dogs recall is 100% with or without distractions then your dog should always be on a longline ... free to run , you dont need to hold it, just be close enough to stamp on the line to stop your dog should he run and ignore you

Toffs recall is brilliant as long as no other dogs are around , so im still working on that , I just distract him from whatever has his attention with a bit of hotdog (his fave treat) and tons of praise if he ignores the other dog , even if its only for a second or two

sorry im not more help hun

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Tricky one. I personally believe a puppy should be off lead as soon as possible, and since allowing my pups off lead ASAP, I have found it easier to teach a reliable recall (and by reliable I mean I'd bet a months wages on my dogs recall in any situation)

However, if your pup is able to run up to another dog, even once, when you are calling it back, and it ignores you, that has reinforced that ignoring your recall is rewarding, and puppy is likely to do it again. And again, and again.

What I do to get a good recall is a bit of both. Longline and free running. I have the pup 'loose' when I know we are in a safe area (beach, enclosed paddock etc) and way from other dogs than my own at first. Periodically call the pup to you, (set him/her up to succeed, so wait until they aren't busy) and when they get to you, give a treat (I always keep something really special just for recall) and let pup go immediately. Call pup back at least every 5 minutes, if not more. Every time your pup comes back to you, gets a treat and then is let go to get on with whatever they were doing, you are sending the message 'coming to me when I call you means you get a tasty treat, and then get to carry on whatever you were doing'.

I would try and set up a meeting with another dog if you can. Have pup on the longline. Still keep calling pup back, letting go again after a treat, but on the longline this time.When your pup has seen the other dog, call him/her to you. They will probably ignore at first, so be patient. When pup does come to you, give him/her a treat, then let them off the line to play with the other dog. (hence why a pre-arranged meeting is best) When pup is tired/bored, have the other owner 'catch' their dog, and then call your pup. Pup will probably try to follow the other dog, so it's important the owner doesn't allow it to play with your pup any longer. When your pup gets back, give him/her a treat, then let him/her play with the other dog again, and so on.

That's only the very basics, but the idea is that your dog starts to think that in order to gain access to other dogs, they have to come to you first. They think you control their environment.

By letting thme off lead ro longline when as young as possible, they are far more likely to leanr a goo drecal by coming back to you, asthey will be too nervous to go too far and will still find you rather interesting. When they get older, they realise that you are not the most interesting thing in their world, sadly!

The first time I let my pups of the lead with another dog I use a dog that has a good recall that knows the pup and can be trusted to behave around other dogs. For me that is easy I use Owen one of my whippets Do you have a friend whose dog is reliable of lead?

Thanks for all the advice, i dont know anyone with a dog, that im sure would go back to there owner. I will have a word at my obei class and see if they can let me try it there. I am also going to be cheeky and ask a very nice lady i have started talking to out on walks. I really want to get him in with other dogs, as he is 5mths now, but, being in kennels is all he has known untill now. He has done well so far, and we have learnt sit, down, paw, stay, come.
I would just like to add for all who have helped with Tysons poo problem, he had his first proper one today, im so happy

What do you use as a longline?????

You can buy long training lines from petshops but a long piece of washing line or rope is just as good.

All good advice above. We have let our 2 off the lead from their first walk. As mentioned previously, when they are that young they stay close anyway and learn that coming back to you is exciting.

Our boy unfortunately is not food orientated to we used to use a toy when we were teaching recall. We had 1 toy that was specifically for going out on walks which he never even saw in the house and when we went out when we first let him off the lead we would play with him and the toy for a couple of minutes then let him go. When we wanted him back we would shout him and show him the toy, he would run straight back regardless of what distractions were about. We also find a squeaky toy works great too. One squeak and he's back like a shot.

It just takes paitience and a lot of practice, but it is one of those things that the longer you leave it the harder it seems.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll crack it soon