What The Family Needs To Know With Dogs Off Leash

Letting your kids take part in dogs off leash activities is a wonderful way to teach your children responsibility and how to properly handle the family pet. However, you do need to prepare your kids properly and teach them the intricacies of dog ownership. Simply handing your child control of your dog, especially off leash, can end in disaster. Here are some tips to help your kids get ready for this special responsibility:

1. Your kids need to know when it is acceptable to have your dog off leash, and most importantly, when he should be on leash instead. Take some time to go over this with your children. Make sure they know exactly which areas are designated as off leash play areas. Teach them to read the signs carefully. If your children are too young to read or learn where they can take your pet, then they are too young to be responsible for your dog at this stage.

2. Your kids need to know how to control your dog when he or she is on the leash well before they can be expected to take charge when your pet is off the leash. Children should be skilled and practiced at giving commands, pulling on the leash without hurting your animal and rewarding your pet for good behaviour. Work with your children to teach them these skills before you attempt to have your pet off the leash and under their control.

3. Kids must understand how to control the dog once he is off the leash. This begins with the ability to call the dog back, regardless of how far away he or she is. Just because your dog answers to you doesn't mean that they will obey your children too. Your dog will need to be trained to listen and take commands from the kids, just like the children will need to be trained to speak to the dog in a way that he or she understands. Getting your children to reward your dog for good behaviour is part of this process.

4. Use treats to get the dog to understand that the children are as much in control as you are. When the children issue the same commands that you do, the dog should know that they are to be obeyed just as they would obey you. Using treats to reinforce this concept is a positive exercise for both your kids and your pets. .

If you stick to these simple tips, your dog will be obeying your children in no time. Having dogs off leash is a large responsibility, and your children need to understand this. They must know that they are responsible for your dog's safety when he is off leash and how to properly control him. Only allow your children to have the off leash responsibility once they, and the dog, understand each other.

For more expert tips on how to have a great time with your dogs off leash, go to http://takeyourpet.com.au -- your one-stop-shop for pet-friendly advice on the road.