I'm a naughty owner.... ooppps..I let Harvey off a lead!

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Patches

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When we had the frosts and snow, the vet said it would be pretty safe to take Harvey for a little stroll over outside the yard gate. I could see tracks to avoid and at -10c bugs were pretty dormant....so long as I washed his feet on return. I did this a few times. Just a couple of minutes to the top of the drive and back.

Well.....now we've had the thaw and I'm struggling with a puppy who is crying at the gates, trying to dig his way under it to get out. I didn't think about the thaw did I? D'oh!

I've just taken him for a little stroll one of the small areas of field that was fenced off for a restricted turnout place after one of the horses were injured a few years ago. It's not used in summer for a lame cow to meander in whilst recuperating.

Anyway....I know it's naughty, but I took him for a little walk up the drive this afternoon, given how he has been creating to get out, and into this patch of grass. It's probably 60m x 80m. Had him on a lead initially, but as there were no tractors about when in the field I took the brave/foolish decision to let him off. I had no treats to tempt him back with!

Anyway....he was a star! Didn't stray all that far anyway and when he moved a little further away he came straight back as soon as I called his name and sat at my left heel.

I love my iccle Harvey. Long may this continue....although I'm pretty sure he'll make me tear my hair out soon!

Gave him some cooked chicken when we got back (he nearly took my hand off!) Am currently cooking a casserole with mini chicken fillets. Have put two aside to boil up for him. He will get this instead of kibble for his tea.

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Sounds like you're both having a lot of fun!!!

Setting aside the vaccination question as I assume he will be safe soon-ish, it's really good to let a puppy off the lead as much as you can. As a general rule most puppies will not be confident enough to piss off and will prefer to stay close. You can take advantage of that to teach recall by calling him often, rewarding him (food works well with most puppies) and letting him go again. That way he learns recall before he learns he can run off and it's also one of many nice things that happen, rather than the end of a walk.
 
He has had two lots of parvo and lepto by 10 weeks but only had his second full vaccine Saturday, so not clear to go out really until this weekend. I did wash his feet off when he came back in, incase he licked them. Not that it will probably help.

Problem was he was getting quite upset as he wanted to constantly go outside, just to sit crying and digging at the gate. Bless. He's clearly going to like his outdoor life on the farm.

I decided to let him off, much for the reasons you state. I didn't want him to get used to be walked on the lead, making being let off the lead a "big deal" in a few months time. I will, (when I plan to take him out and let him off - it was spontaneous today) take some treats with me as he does love his treats!
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I am so mindful of the fact that Cockers are known for not being the best dog at recall. I want to get recall sorted ASAP so that Harvey can fully enjoy the life he's been brought into on our farm. Jasper never could enjoy the freedom of our fields, due to his impossible recall.
 
I know. He's so cute. He was only out for about ten minutes and I did walk him back down the drive in my arms, so he didn't get dirty.
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He loved it. He was quite stand offish, attention wise, when we got him. This last week he's started climbing into my knee and snuggling up if I sit on the floor with him.
 
I don't think you've been naughty at all, in fact I thin it's sensible to have them off the lead as soon as possible!

Ped didn't go on the lead until he was 14 weeks old just a few hours before we went to his first training class
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now that's definitely naughty. He was loose with the other dogs from day 1 (8wks) so he learnt from a young age to stay with the 'pack'. He spent all day with me at work on a yard so he's great at lurking near me at all times and doesn't wander off.

I love hearing about harvey it makes me want another puppy, although I think it's because ped is now 10 months old so the interrupted days and sleepless nights are a blurred memory!
 
We don't have sleepness nights!
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He's on the go all day, but manages to sleep and remain dry for 6 - 7 hours overnight, which is all the sleep we get anyway.

I wasn't meaning the letting him off the lead was naughty. I want him to be used to being off a lead as "normal" and remaining in control.

I was referring to him not being clear to go out in public until Saturday. We won't meet any other dogs on the farm, but I can't guarantee there are no foxes/badgers in that field.

I feel a tad guilty, as it's just my luck he'll pick something up, BUT he was getting really upset having been allowed out when it was frosty.
 
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