Unleashed running with beagle/pointer mix

[Anonymous]

I have a three year old beagle/pointer mix dog who goes running with me on a leash. These are hunting dog breeds that are good runners but can be stubborn and easily distracted following scents. The dog knows commands but I could definitely see it ignoring me and preferring to chase after an animal, so I’m hesitant to try running off leash on the rural trails that allow it. Does anyone else know about this type of dog and at what point would you be comfortable letting it off the leash and trust that it will run by your side and not chase some animal never to be seen again?

[Anonymous]

I have a pointer/treeing walker mix. If I want to keep him as our family pet, off leash is not an option! He’s gotten out of our house to chase a bunny a couple times and when I called him he looked at me like he had never seen me in his whole life. So for us off leash isn’t going to happen.

[Anonymous]

I have a hunting hound. Any time he gets off leash he comes back wet and tired around sunset

[Anonymous]

It's a hunting dog, it will be halfway across the county once it gets on a scent. Nope. --beagle owner

[Anonymous]

I had a rescue American Foxhound. Once I’d established she was part of my family and had that bond ( about 6 months after I got her) I started letting her off leash. She was very treat motivated tho so always came running for a treat.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I've had treeing dogs and sight hounds and it's just. not. possible.

[Anonymous]

I'm on team never. Sorry.

But if she'll stay by your side while running, what's the downside of a leash?

I once had a mutt who would go 20 ft away, then back, then 20 ft away, and off leash was nice. But my current dog gets engrossed and then just plain lost. It was panic-inducing for me. He forgot the whole incident within minutes and didn't understand why I was being such a stickler about checking the fence and gate.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering how you could even think this might be a good idea. 😬

[Anonymous]

Tying the leash to your waist seems to be a popular way for runners to get the sense of hands free. I guess they make special belt-like bands for the human.

[Anonymous]

Off leash will never be an option with any kind of hunting dog. Their prey drive is so high and their behavior can be unpredictable.

[Anonymous]

Please don't do this.

Even if it may be infrequent, please be considerate of other people. Really, really selfish not to mention irresponsible.

And no retractable leashes, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tying the leash to your waist seems to be a popular way for runners to get the sense of hands free. I guess they make special belt-like bands for the human.

We do this. But also we have an e-collar on her. If she sees a rabbit she’s likely going to pull me to go get it, especially since I’m not a fast runner so my pace is almost laughable to her. But if she’s going fast enough with husband on a proper run she’ll be focused and won’t need any corrections. Now walking her is a whole other story. She’s always hinting in this urban DC environment so every squirrel or small dog is potential prey for her. She’s had ecollar training since she was young so we can comfortably walk her on that but without it she’d be gone. Long story just to say: never let her off leash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Off leash will never be an option with any kind of hunting dog. Their prey drive is so high and their behavior can be unpredictable.

Maybe for hounds, but I grew up with Springer Spaniels and they all did amazing off leash. They loved running through the woods but always stayed within site and came when called. They're meant to flush out the birds though, so their instinct is to stay close, alert you of were the birds are, and then flush them out when you give the command so you can shoot them.

[Anonymous]

My beagle is now age 10 and I can trust that if I accidentally drop the leash she won’t take off. I would wait another five or six years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My beagle is now age 10 and I can trust that if I accidentally drop the leash she won’t take off. I would wait another five or six years.

HAHAH I was about to answer the same! Was okay with beagle off leash once she was over 7. Still wouldn't let her off leash if there was any sort of busy road around - just in case. She won't stay next to me the whole time, but she never goes beyond line of sight now.