Since I bought an e-collar, I'm hardly ever doing any on leash walks anymore. Our morning walks used to be the time of day when I would walk my dog with a leash (other times he goes out is in areas where he can roam). Now I just simply put on his e-collar and go out.

This started as a way to make him mind more and not go to strangers (or dogs) to say hi so often. It has worked wonderfully. I still can't say he minds completely (he never will, he's a Beagle), but the e-collar has done wonders for my dog, in every aspect.

Now, our morning walks consist of a 1 hour off leash walk were sometimes he walks ahead of me and sometimes stays a little behind when he smells something that gets his attention. His stay command has dramatically imroved with our off leash walks.

But that's besides the point. What I really want to know is, how do on-leash walks differ from off-leash walks in terms of pack structure/leadership. Is it recommended that I do at least some of the walks on-leash?

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What I really want to know is, how do on-leash walks differ from off-leash walks in terms of pack structure/leadership. Is it recommended that I do at least some of the walks on-leash?

I am big into off leash walking. I do live in a wilderness setting and do not walk near roads and the like. If I lived in the city, things would be different.

Let me start by saying I do not buy into the Cesar view that a dog must walk behind you for you to be the pack leader! Is the dog minding you? Can you control the dog wherever the dog is around you off lead? If the answer is yes then you are still the pack leader IMO. (Don't tell anyone, but I even let the dog out the door before me sometimes as well ) The horror!

Of leash walking provides more exercise for the dog in a less repetitive fashion, as they can speed up and slow down as they see fit. It gives them time to "be a dog". All that said I do still have rules for my off leash walking.

Dog must remain in sight, no tracking animals (sniffing at tracks fine, running off into the woods after animal tracks..no). Must not chase animals of any size, from squirrels to elk to bear.

Dog must listen to commands such as "lets go", "leave it", "wait" and "come".

I always bring a leash. As a young dog I would put him on the leash and take him off it on our walks so he did not think going on the leash = no fun, off leash = fun. I can put him on leash whenever I want in the woods and it is no big deal. My only leash rule is no pulling.

I think you should walk the dog on a leash occasionally so the dog remains accostom to it. I will also recall my dog and put him on lead if I see other people with dogs. I expect others to have control of their dogs so this is only fair. Charging off lead dogs are a pet peeve of mine, even with the "he's friendly!" yell form the owners.

To conclude. I do beleive you can be the pack leader of your dog if you are walking it off lead, providing you have some set rules and stick to them. I also think that some on lead walking would be great to keep the dog knowing he must behave BOTH on and off lead.

Big PS-
I do not e-collar train. I also have a SAR dog, so ranging away from me is something I want a dog to be comfortable with. I have no use for a dog that thinks it must always be at my side. I my dog is also off lead the majority of time at work (when not kenneled), so he must be okay off lead. For these reasons my opinions my differ from that of others.

Great reply, Jennifer.

Hey Richard, I do nearly all walking off-leash. I'm fortunate I live in an semi-rural area without much traffic or any stray dogs. My dog wears an ecollar but I rarely need to stim him.

Like Jennifer, I always carry a leash for the unexpected. We also do some part of the walk on-lead for the reason Jennifer said. I don't want the leash or the concept of a "controlled walk" to be a novelty.

Thx for the reply, Jennifer.

I agree with everything you said except the fact that if you don't use e-collars and walk your dog off leash, there is no way you could enforce a command he refuses to follow. I'm sure your dog is very obedient, but I could not take suck risks with my hound.

My dog also enjoys off leash walks a lot more. I'll try to mix things up.

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I agree with everything you said except the fact that if you don't use e-collars and walk your dog off leash, there is no way you could enforce a command he refuses to follow.

What ever works for you! I don't have a hound and am unsure of how I would train one if I did! I only mentioned it because I do not have any e-collar experience to offer to the topic, not because I meant you shouldn't use one.

I don't have issues with my dog refusing to follow commands. What has worked for me may not work for others. (insert thoughts about how my dog must have no prey drive here )