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Are Off-Leash Dogs Happier Than On-Leash Dogs?

by shibashake 6 Comments

All other things being equal, dogs would of course prefer more freedom, and therefore will be happier off-leash.

However, as we all know, letting our dogs off-leash changes more than a few things. In particular, when dogs are off-leash –

  • They may run into traffic and get hit by a car.
  • They may attack or harass other dogs that are on-leash and get into a dog fight.
  • They may jump and knock down children, seniors, and others.
  • They may chase after prey and get lost.
Are Off-Leash Dogs Happier Than On-Leash Dogs?
Are Off-Leash Dogs Happier Than On-Leash Dogs?

Off-Leash Dogs – When?

Off-Leash Dogs - When?
Off-Leash Dogs - When?

Note that even the most friendly dogs may run into traffic, jump and knock down children, and chase after neighborhood cats.

Therefore, it is crucial that we do not let our dogs off-leash unless they are well trained to come to us on command consistently and reliably. Anything less would be irresponsible because we will not only be putting our own dog at risk, but other people’s dogs as well. Incidentally, consistent and reliable recall does not mean shouting at a dog 10 or more times, and maybe he comes back to us after doing whatever he wants to do.

In fact, it is against the law to walk our dogs off-leash in most neighborhoods. Even off-leash parks have strict rules for off-leash dogs.

General Park Rules for Dogs

  1. Dogs must be leashed (six-foot maximum) and under control at any posted area, parking lot, picnic site, lawn or developed area.
  2. Owners must always carry a leash (six-foot maximum).
  3. Dogs may be off-leash in open space and undeveloped areas of parklands, provided they are under control at all times.

    Dogs are considered under control when they are within direct eyesight of the owner/handler and when they have the ability to quickly return to leash when called. Dogs that annoy, harass, or attack people, wildlife, livestock or other dogs, leashed or unleashed, or which enter leash-required or dog-prohibited areas, are presumed to be not under control.

  4. Animals may not be left unattended at any parkland.

~~ [ East Bay Regional Park District Rules ]

Having some fun on-leash.
Having some fun on-leash.

Off-Leash Dogs – How?

The question of whether off-leash dogs are happier than on-leash dogs then becomes a question of recall training (i.e., training to come when called). In particular,

Can we train our dogs to consistently come when called without degrading their quality of life?

If we can train our dogs to come to us consistently using only reward training techniques, then we are done. There is little risk of such techniques degrading a dog’s quality of life.

Recall training, however, is greatly dependent on the breed and individual temperament of the dog. For example, independent dogs with high prey drive can be difficult to train because they have a strong inborn instinct to chase after other animals. As a result, a very strong counter stimulus is required to prevent them from following their natural drive.

For these challenging cases, dog owners may resort to more extreme aversive techniques, such as the dog shock collar.

Dog shock collars can apply an electric shock (i.e., a pain stimulus) to the dog from a distance. For this reason, they are often used for off-leash training work.

More on-leash digging fun.
More on-leash digging fun.

Are Off-Leash Dogs with Shock Collars Happier?

This is where the discussion becomes interesting. Many proponents of shock collars claim that their off-leash dogs are happier even with the occasional application of electric shocks.

Is this true?

Scientific studies say “No”.

E. Schalke et al. conducted a study on the use of electric shocks collars using 14 laboratory-bred Beagles. The dogs were divided into three groups –

  • Group A (Aversion) – Shocked when the dog touched a prey (rabbit dummy fixed to a motion device).
  • Group H (Here) – Shocked when the dog did not obey a previously trained recall command during hunting.
  • Group R (Random) – Shocked randomly.

The results of the experiment show that groups H and R exhibited a significant rise in stress levels (as measured by salivary cortisol levels). Even more significant is that stress levels remained high when the dogs were reintroduced to the shock area after 4 weeks, even though the dogs did not receive an electric pulse during that time.

Studies by Schilder & van der Borg show similar results.

Much off-leash fun can be had in an enclosed space. No shocks are necessary.
Much off-leash fun can be had in an enclosed space. No shocks are necessary.

The ASPCA, Kennel Club, RSPCA, The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and many other well respected dog organizations are against the use of shock collars.

The ASPCA does not condone the use of electronic training collars except in highly exceptional cases, such as a working with dog who has to be off leash in order to perform her duties. Most dogs who fail to reliably come when called can simply be kept on leash or in confined areas for exercise.

~~[ Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called ]

Note that the choice is not between shock collars and zero off-leash time. My dogs have fun digging, smelling, exploring, and hunting for food (Find-It) when they are on-leash. They also have many fun off-leash activities in our fully enclosed backyard.

Fun off-leash time in a fully enclosed area.
Fun off-leash time in a fully enclosed area.

Are off-leash dogs with shock collars happier than on-leash dogs?

Well … we can listen to random opinions from people on the internet or we can listen to the results of rigorous scientific studies and well-respected dog organizations such as the ASPCA, RSPCA, and Kennel Club.

Who do you want to listen to?

Are Off-Leash Dogs Happier Than On-Leash Dogs?
Are Off-Leash Dogs Happier Than On-Leash Dogs?

Comments

  1. Richard says

    December 3, 2020 at 2:26 pm

    I have always trained my dogs so that I could walk them off-leash where allowed (here in Vancouver we have many leash-optional trails and beaches). I’ve never had a great deal of luck with getting them to come on command 100%. However, getting them to stay has been very successful. In my experience that is good enough. Even if a squirrel or rabbit is in their sights they will stop when I tell them. If we come upon anyone who is not walking a dog or has small children, I will tell my dog to “stay” and then I come forward and leash them until we go past. Just thought others might find this helpful.

    Reply
  2. Jennie Gross says

    January 10, 2016 at 3:28 am

    I am so glad I read your article, in my head I thought the zap collar was cruel but I was thinking of having my dog trained but don’t know what for as he will come back when I call offering a treat. And if I lease him (chain as it is easy to slide over his head) he does pull and since I am a senior it’s hard for me. He is a Golden Doodle the sweetest dog and is now 14 months old full of energy.
    I have had 2 Border Collies/ 4 Golden Retrievers in my life time and always very well behaved and off leash. BUT they did not want to PLAY with other dogs like this one does, so seeing another dog on leash he pulls on the leash.to try and TALK to them. Will he get better with age? It seems that all of a sudden having a dog is complicated with all the new gadgets and so many people giving advise.

    Reply
  3. Valerie says

    January 5, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    I really enjoyed this page, as I am trying to decide how to solve my training issue with my French Bulldog. She is only ever walked on leash, even though my other two dogs, a Boxer and a Border Collie, are allowed off leash. We live in a very rural area where we own 17 acres.(not fenced) I keep a flock of chickens as well as three horses. The down side is that we are very close to 2 roads. She is a bulldog- stubborn and strong willed, but very trainable with food rewards and praise. She is not reliable with recall. This is the reason I was considering an e-collar. Do you have any good suggestions to re-direct her focus when I am trying to recall her and she is focused on a distraction? (ie: cat, deer, chicken, horse, etc) Once I have her attention she responds to commands. She is wonderful with kids, loves people and most other dogs. Thank you for your article!

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      January 6, 2015 at 11:07 pm

      Sounds like it is her prey-instinct kicking in. Here are a couple of articles on prey-drive training-
      http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/how-do-i-train-my-dog-to-stop-chasing-the-chickens-cat-rat
      http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/chase-this-not-that

      This ASPCA article also has good information on the many different recall training techniques-
      http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/teaching-your-dog-come-when-called

  4. Jess says

    August 10, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    I adore the picture of Sephy digging!! Shania has that face of “Man, we are getting really dirty…” 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Great article! Poor Zeusie will never be able to be off leash I don’t think… if for any reason he ran I’d never in a million years catch him and he definately does NOT come when called. He comes when he needs something!

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      August 11, 2011 at 8:56 am

      Hi Jess!
      Hahaha, yeah Sephy doesn’t usually dig, but when it is a big archaeological project, he gets involved. Shania just wanted Sephy to get out of the way so she could go back to excavating.

      I have actually let Sephy go off-leash a few times. Surprisingly, I think he is more of a homebody than the Siberians. He does not usually come when called, but he does not like to wander too far away from his people. When he goes walking with a group of dogs, then he sticks to a particular dog, especially the ones that ignore him. In this way, the dog walker can get recall by calling in the other dog. 😀

      How is Zeus? Has he written more poems?

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