How To Train A Dog Not To Run Away When Off Leash

Introduction

Off leash time is a great way to reward your dog for good behavior. Once you’ve trained him to respond to a “Look at me” command, he’s ready!

Start by associating off leash time with a reward.

Start by associating off leash time with a reward. Start by only rewarding your dog when he responds to the command, then slowly increase the amount of time before rewarding him.

When your dog responds to the command, give him the treat or toy and lots of praise! Repeat this until he’s responding consistently. Once your dog is responding consistently, you can start rewarding with treats or toys when he’s on leash as well!

Train your dog to have a “Look at me” command. This can be done with a long-lasting treat or favorite toy.

Use a long-lasting treat.
Clicker the dog when he looks at you, then give him the treat as soon as he turns his head in your direction.
If your dog is too busy chewing on something else to notice you, whistle or use another loud noise to get its attention first before trying to clicker train it again.

Consider the environment where you will give your dog off leash time. It should be familiar to him, so that he is not distracted.

Consider the environment where you will give your dog off leash time. It should be familiar to him, so that he is not distracted. If a new place or setting is too stimulating, he may bolt at the first glimpse of a squirrel or other interesting distraction.
Make sure the dog is comfortable with the environment. For example, if you plan on taking him hiking on trails that are new to him, practice in an area where there are no obstacles (trees/fallen logs). This way he’ll know what to expect when it’s time for real off leash hiking!

Practice the “Look at me” command in the area where your dog will run off leash. This teaches him that responding means more play time and treats!

Use a long-lasting treat or favorite toy that he can’t eat in a few bites.
Practice in an area where your dog is comfortable, like around the house or backyard (if allowed). Make sure it’s safe for him to run around without you on leash, but also make sure there are no distractions such as other pets or children—or anything else he could get into trouble with if startled by something interesting outside of his field of vision!
Practice in an environment where your dog is not distracted: When working with new commands, it’s important not to confuse your dog by having other things going on around him. If possible, work with a partner who can help hold treats while you give instructions so they aren’t accidentally dropped during training sessions—and save them until everything goes well first before giving any out!

Slow and steady wins the race! Work on teaching your dog to come back when called in progressively larger areas or distracting places before trying it off leash in an open field or park.

Before you try to teach your dog to come back when called in a field or park, try practicing at home and in your neighborhood. If you have an enclosed yard, that works well for this exercise. You can also practice in other areas where there aren’t too many distractions—around the corner from your house, for example, or across the street from it. This will help build up your dog’s confidence level so that he feels comfortable returning to you even when there are distractions around him. Once he’s got a handle on returning consistently when called under these conditions, then move on to open fields and parks where people and animals may be present but not overwhelming to him.

Make sure your dog is always supervised during off leash time (not just when he is running around!) Encourage him to stay close with attention and rewards.

When it’s time for your dog to roam free, make sure you’re always there. It is easy to forget that our dogs are not as aware of their surroundings and what might be around them as we are. They can’t hear or see things from a distance like we do, and they don’t know what certain noises mean.

Make sure your dog is always supervised by you during off leash time (not just when he is running around!). If the dog is roaming off leash without you in an unfamiliar area, make sure someone else has him under control so that he doesn’t cause any damage or get into trouble while you’re out of sight.

It’s easier to train a dog not to run away when off leash if you teach him to respond to recall commands!

It’s easier to train a dog not to run away when off leash if you teach him to respond to recall commands! A recall is a command that tells your dog to come back. It is especially useful with dogs who have a tendency to wander off or bolt for the door when you open it.

You can teach your dog what “come” means by rewarding him with tasty treats, praise and lots of play time every time he comes back from playing or exploring on his own. This will help him associate the word “come” with something good and make him more likely to come when called.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to train a dog not to run away when off leash, but with time and patience you can do it!