When to let puppy off lead?

[nativepony]

Hi, we've had our lurcher puppy for 3 weeks now, she is 13 weeks old and starts dog training on 22nd june. Have had varying opinions as to when to let her off the lead - some people have said just let her off now, others have said only do it when out with other dogs and have also been told she should have been to training classes before attempting it. This is our first dog so am very apprehensive and obviously don't want to risk her not coming back or getting distracted by rabbits etc and getting lost so any advice appreciated!

 

[Charmaine18]

I'm not really sure about when is best to try it, but when you do, obviously you'll have to be careful because she's a chasing type dog. We found with our terrier (who is VERY selectively deaf!), the only way to get her back is to turn around and pretend you're leaving without her. Once she thinks she's getting left behind she catches up pretty quickly!

Good luck with your pup! Lurchers are the best dogs in the world!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Try her on a long line or a lunge first.
While she may come to call in a sterile environment like your garden, with other distractions it will be more difficult.

I would not let her off until her recall is good on a long line. It depends on the dog.

The best way to ensure recall is to make yourself more interesting than everything else. Lots of rewards, either play or treats, silly voices, hide and seek, lying down waving your arms in the air or running in the opposite direction

If she does bugger off, when she returns/you collect her, do not punish her - she will not understand the timing and will have negative associations with returning to you.

 

[EllieandGeorge]

we just let our dogs off straight away, and when they are puppies they tend not to want to go far away from you and like to stay near you, but you could always take her on a lunge line or stretchy lead first just in case.