I bumped into someone yesterday who had their husky off leash it was under a year old so still a puppy. I know I would never let mine off except in a parkour. He has had training and most the time is well behaved but has a HUGE prey drive so I would not let him off. I have bumped into other husky owners on my travels they don't let theirs off leash either. I was wondering what others thoughts are on the subject.

Ok- I voted "no" but I suppose technically we have let our dog off-leash*. I'm going with what I think is the intent of the poll, though.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who have well-behaved, obedient dogs who will come when called- even when off-leash- under distraction.

I just haven't yet met any of those people.

*Only time we've let our dogs run free (other than in our yard) is in a fenced dog park with no other dogs.

I have one that I probably could in certain places and situations and then one that absolutely cannot be allowed off leash outside a tightly fenced area. Situations change fast though so even my female that I think would be fine I would not risk it. I've accidentally dropped the leash before and can call her right back in an emergency but wouldn't purposefully do it. We have members who have worked very hard to be able to go off leash, but even they often have a backup e collar and only do it in certain areas where there are no people or roads.

Mine get let off leash in our 30 acre woods. Wearing ecollar. That's about it, though.

Squirt is off leash alot when i take her rabbit hunting and her recall is perfect. Spider can be off leash in the yard but only if splinter is there because he wont take off and she wont leave him. But with squirt im allowing the hyper prey drive and spider is codependent so mine are slightly different. Would i take any of my dogs to a park offleash or walk them off leash absolutely not

Of the dozen or more huskies I have known in 50 years only one was (somewhat) trustworthy off leash.

Nope - and there are strict leash laws in our town, anyway.

We have a fenced backyard, and we ourselves like to run/hike, so I think he still gets enough exercise.

I also have a 25' long line that I let him drag sometimes if we're out in a big field so he can get some of that "offleash" feel...he actually doesn't run around much, he just wanders and sniffs and stays where he can see me.

But I agree on the Prey Drive!! If there happened to be a running deer, bunny or cat on that field, he would be off and gone!! I hope I'm fast enough to grab the long line before he disappears, if it's dragging at the time...

I have three and of them I have one who can be let off lead. If I'm outside she'll stay "fairly close" - which might be a couple of hundred feet - I've seen her chase a rabbit or two but I think she thinks that's too much effort 'cause she'll chase for a minute or so and then she's looking to see where I am.

My other two - when they get loose, they'll run for a while and then come home most of the time. The good thing is that I can start the Jeep, drive down the road and they're both right behind the Jeep ( "Don't leave me daddy!" ) so I don't have a big problem with them running off - too far.

My answer to the poll would have to be "Sometimes / Some dogs" which isn't an option.

Shepsky - when I was first training Ami to ecollar, I used a long line. I figured, even if this old lady couldn't catch him in time, there's enough brush and trees that he would be caught soon enough

@amymeme

You are right, that is a comforting thought! Lots of trees and underbrush around here, for sure...it would be hard to get far dragging a line...even if your owner can't keep up with you at a sprint...

when Leo was a puppy i used a long line at park to teach him to come back. he has never been off leash endless its at a dog park or the back yard.