My beagle has never been off lead. Help please? Training

Following on from my initial post from help, the first and main thing I want is for Sam to be able to run free!

Read all sorts of contradictory stuff about never letting a beagle off the lead etc but I see from some posts and owners on here you can?

Can someone advise the best way to start please? I'm going to use an 8 metre lead but best way and when to risk first time completely off please?

Thanks

I would say the tracking lead (like you have suggested) and when you know he will come back to you with some extra tasty treats (or a toy, whichever he is more interested in) then put some little knots in the lead, and let it go and have him run with the lead attached, as this will give you an extra 8 feet to catch him if he goes to come back and then turns. I say put knots in it, as if you put your foot on the lead, the knot will stop at your shoe, so it will act as a "brake" for you.

There's no easy answer, but with a long training lead obviously 100% re-call teaching, you should be able to do it.

I trained mine with training leads first, Reah came as a 5 year old, with no recall or any other skills, but now she doesn't need a lead, more often than not I wear it round my neck

See if you can find an enclosed area, such as a tennis court to start to see if you can get any kind of recall there!
And as others have said use a long line the rest of time when out and about or even training in park or garden.

When you do decide to let off do it away from any roads obviously and do you know any well behaved doggys your dog may stick to?

There are a couple of beagle owners on here that do have some well behaved dogs and are often off the lead, am sure they will be along to give you some tips !

Thanks guys, love the little knot in the lead idea!

Was going to first leave off in the garden.

As regards actual re-call training? I used to just call the name and say "come"? Pulling in with the lead as I say it and treat when arrived?

(Sorry been a long time since owning a dog, probably just being over stupid!)

When teaching recall, choose a word (or words) that you want your dog to come back to, and STICK with them. Don't change them as this will confuse your dog.

The way I taught it, is called Jess, if she didn't come, I would "guide" her in with the lead whilst saying "good come" or whatever I used at the time. The more "silly" you are, generally the more the dog wants to come to you, so you may look a bit daft, but it is well worth it. I also found walking backwards after saying come, whilst taping my knees (I don't know how to describe that in words) with my hands and saying come when she is coming helped.

Hope this makes sense...

lol yep sounds as mad as we all have to be sometimes!

Thanks very much, will get started!!!!!!

It's quite good for encouraging good recall to give a special treat that your dog doesn't get at any other time . Once you get to know your dog you will know what is best to use , al ot of dogs really like cheese .
You can practice recall in the house , garden and eventually with the long line .
The first time you let her off lead entirely it's good if you are with a friend who has a well behaved dog who comes back witout any problems . Good luck

My Hound is fine as long as there`s no game about so I`d say walk him somewhere boring to start with! And beaches are good because you can see him for miles.

Beagledad where did you get your Beagle from?

Got her from The Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Somerset?

Really well known round here and seem very well set up etc.