<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Off-Leash Dog Training › Gary Maria Professional Dog Training</title>
	<atom:link href="https://garymaria.com/articles/dog-training-obedience/off-leash-dog-training/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://garymaria.com</link>
	<description>Expertly training dogs and puppies for Walnut Creek, CA and Contra Costa County dog owners</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 27 Sep 2025 20:15:33 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://garymaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-website-icon-32x32.png</url>
	<title>Off-Leash Dog Training › Gary Maria Professional Dog Training</title>
	<link>https://garymaria.com</link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
	<item>
		<title>How do you know if your dog is ready for off-leash training?</title>
		<link>https://garymaria.com/article-how-do-you-know-if-your-dog-is-ready-for-off-leash-training/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=article-how-do-you-know-if-your-dog-is-ready-for-off-leash-training</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gary Maria]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Dec 2018 12:15:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Dog Training & Obedience]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Off-Leash Dog Training]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://garymaria.com/how-do-you-know-if-your-dog-is-ready-for-off-leash-training/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Once the role of pack-leader has been established and the dog doesn’t display aggressive behavior, it is ready for off-leash training.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://garymaria.com/article-how-do-you-know-if-your-dog-is-ready-for-off-leash-training/">How do you know if your dog is ready for off-leash training?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://garymaria.com">Gary Maria Professional Dog Training</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="494" class="elementor elementor-494" data-elementor-post-type="post">
				<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-36fd5d9c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent" data-id="36fd5d9c" data-element_type="container" data-e-type="container">
					<div class="e-con-inner">
				<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-31dc5591 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="31dc5591" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p>Once your puppy or dog has successfully completed basic on-leash training and voice commands, and the role of pack-leader has been established for the dog, it is ready for off-leash training.</p><p>You’ll also need to make sure your dog isn’t behaving aggressively on the leash. This behavior is known as “leash aggression”.  If the dog is behaving aggressively on its leash then aggressive dog training intervention is required before off-leash training should be pursued.</p><p>Many dogs appear to show more aggression towards people and/or other dogs when on-leash and less when off-leash. This behavior is very easily explained; when dogs are on-leash and not properly trained we try to restrain the dog from pulling on the leash and stop them from jumping, by pulling up or back on the leash. This tightens the leash and collar and your dog will feel this instinctually.</p><p>What we just did was take 50% of the dog’s survival instinct away which is the flight instinct. The only recourse the dog has now if feeling threatened is to fight, vs. when the dog is off-leash, he could run away to protect himself.</p><p>Another problem with untrained dogs is that dogs are pack animals.</p><p>With dogs that are walking when they see other animals they may start pulling on the leash to go visit. If the owner starts pulling back on the leash, the dog pulls even harder. This again tells the dog that its fight vs. flight instinct has been restricted through the feeling of its tightened collar. This can again trigger dog aggression.</p><p>Without proper leash training, what may happen over a period of time is the dog will become frustrated because he does not get to visit or socialize with the other dog.</p><p>Eventually this frustration continues into a form of barrier frustration, which can become aggression out of stress. I have seen dogs so frustrated that they could whip or whirl around and redirect on whomever is holding the leash.</p><p>You should not proceed to off-leash training if the dog is behaving aggressively. Instead contact a qualified dog training specialist for aggressive training intervention.</p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
				</div>
				</div><p>The post <a href="https://garymaria.com/article-how-do-you-know-if-your-dog-is-ready-for-off-leash-training/">How do you know if your dog is ready for off-leash training?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://garymaria.com">Gary Maria Professional Dog Training</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>What is the benefit of off-leash dog training?</title>
		<link>https://garymaria.com/article-benefits-of-off-leash-dog-training/#utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=article-benefits-of-off-leash-dog-training</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Gary Maria]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Dec 2018 12:12:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Off-Leash Dog Training]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://garymaria.com/benefits-of-off-leash-dog-training/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A dog or puppy needs the physical exercise that off-leash dog training provides. Remember a tired dog is a good dog and physical exercise is the best gift.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://garymaria.com/article-benefits-of-off-leash-dog-training/">What is the benefit of off-leash dog training?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://garymaria.com">Gary Maria Professional Dog Training</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="489" class="elementor elementor-489" data-elementor-post-type="post">
				<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7bee14e1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent" data-id="7bee14e1" data-element_type="container" data-e-type="container">
					<div class="e-con-inner">
				<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1edc3f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="1edc3f3" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p>Dogs and puppies need the physical exercise that off-leash dog training provides. Remember a tired dog is a good dog. Off-leash training could save your dog from being hurt by cars or other animals, and many other dangerous situations. Just as important or more important, your dog will understand its place in the pack so he knows what to expect out of you and you know what to expect out of your dog.</p><p>Off-leash dog training is the most important gift you could give your dog along with consistency and a stable environment. If your dog is not psychologically happy, he will not be stable and thus he will be unpredictable.</p><h2>Risk of Inconsistent Handling</h2><p>Most people start teaching the dog not to come to them, as soon as they bring the dog home. People can and often give their dogs too many commands when the dog is off-leash. If the dog won&#8217;t do these things when it&#8217;s off the leash, then it first needs to complete structured on-leash obedience training.</p><p>When a young puppy is in a fear period, it is very easy to have the puppy come to you. Just make a noise and most puppies will come running to you.</p><p>The result is you believe your puppy or young dog understands this behavior, which it actually does not.</p><p>Later on when you puppy’s confidence develops and he does not have to stay so close to you for his protection, he will start wandering further away. The puppy will get distracted sniffing around to figure out its surroundings.</p><p>Before you know it, the scents hold your puppy’s attention as you call him, and he does not respond. Repeating the behavior tells the untrained dog or puppy you do not have control over it, which in turn tells it that he is actually your boss.</p><p>We need to correct inconsistent handling with consistent handling and good training, so that we set up the dog for success, as it undergoes off-leash training.</p><h2>Key Benefits of Off Leash Dog Training</h2><p>Off-leash dog training helps with dog recall, meaning that the dog will remember to come back to its owner consistently, even when it might be distracted. </p><p>Recall is a critical skill that a dog should be trained in. Dog recall is critical to keeping your dog safe for most encounters and  in off-leash situations. This may even save your dog&#8217;s life one day.</p><p>Second, as mentioned above, the best gift you can give to your dog is physical exercise whick keeps a dog&#8217;s mind stimulated. </p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
				</div>
				</div><p>The post <a href="https://garymaria.com/article-benefits-of-off-leash-dog-training/">What is the benefit of off-leash dog training?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://garymaria.com">Gary Maria Professional Dog Training</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
