Indoor - Outdoor

Because Hardy was responding so well with respect to the clicker, I decided to begin practicing off leash walking in paths around the inside of the house. I knew there would be less distraction this way, and I also knew I could increase the size and direction of movement over time, as well as keep things random. I started in the largest part of the dining room, walking around the table, leading Hardy in a small oval pattern, much like I had observed in the training classes at the pet store.

With the clicker in one hand and treats in the other, I had Hardy’s undivided attention.  I watched him perk up whenever I would grab the clicker to practice this sort of training, eventually adjusting the off leash practice throughout the house in a random pattern for longer and longer amounts of time. Once Hardy had that down pat, I worked with him in our backyard, where he was more easily distracted. I soon learned that it was the perfect environment for training: flat, grassy, spacious, and appropriately fenced.

Off leash walking outside was such a greater challenge than inside the house! There were many factors I had to keep in mind. I had to maintain a watchful eye on Hardy’s interest level, which I discovered would increase and decrease randomly throughout our sessions. I had to be careful not to work with him for too long, because of the distractions. Just like working indoors, I had to begin with short sessions that were easy to complete - one good lap around the perimeter provided plenty of challenge. It took a lot of patience, but since I was with him all day, I was able to repeat these short sessions as the day progressed.

The scents, sights, and sounds became my foremost opponent, especially if a stray squirrel in a tree or a cat climbing a fence interrupted us. I also noticed that shadows cast on the ground from birds or small planes flying overhead, would take his attention away from the task at hand. Sometimes I would lose Hardy’s attention altogether. If this happened, I would begin playing with him and end the session as if I was planning the interruption, tucking the clicker in a pocket, and tossing a ball or initiating a game of tug rope with him.