How to Train Your Dog to Go Off Leash

Imagine how much fun it would be if you and your favorite four-legged friend could go for a walk out in the woods or on the local hiking trails without the hassle of a leash. Do you get jealous when you see others walking their dogs without a leash?

The good news is that teaching your pup to walk alongside you in the "heel" position isn't as hard as you might think. The only thing holding you back from total success is how stubborn your pup is and how strong his desire to roam happens to be. More than anything, you need to have plenty of patience and enough time to spend training your pup two to three times a day, every day of the week. Once you succeed, you and your dog are sure to have lots of fun exploring the local trails. 

So, the basic idea here is to teach your dog how to go for walks with you without the need for either of you to be attached to a leash. It makes a huge difference in the type of exercise your dog will get on your walks together. It will also give him a little freedom to roam around more than he would be able to do if he were still attached to a leash.

This is a behavior that can be taught to any dog once he is old enough to learn the basic commands. However, as with most "tricks", the longer you wait the harder it will be for you to teach him. It will take some time, from a few days to a few weeks, before your pup will simply start out in the walking position and remain at your preferred distance while walking. Not only will this make your walks more enjoyable, but it will help keep your dog from running off and putting himself at risk of injury or getting lost. 

Since this command is all about going for walks with your dog, without the need for a leash, there is not much in the way of supplies needed.

• Collar and Leash – you will need these while you are working with your dog.
  
• Your pup's favorite treats – you will need an ample supply of these for rewards.
  
• A quiet place to train – try to find a quiet place to work with your dog to reduce distractions.
  
• Time – to be most effective, you need two to three times a day to go for a "training" walk.
  
• Patience – you are teaching your dog a new trick; be patient and don't get mad at him for not getting it right.