How to Exercise a Reactive Dog Off-Leash: A Safe Guide

Looking for ways to add some variety to your dog’s daily routine? You might want to try some off leash excursions.

Although it might sound intimidating at first — and for good reason — off leash exercise is great for many dogs. Even reactive dogs can benefit from getting to run free in safe situations. And the experience can be wonderful for dog parents, too!

We unpack the benefits of free off-leash movement, potential risks, training to get started, and final tips and tricks to make your dog's next off-leash adventure the best yet.

Benefits of off leash exercise for dogs

There are many benefits of off leash exercise for pets and people alike. These include:

Moving freely is great for your dog's physical health

Being off leash lets your dog exercise in ways that aren't possible when they are on a leash. They're not wild animals anymore — we've domesticated them for generations and generations — but that doesn't mean they don't still love to run freely, swim, or hike at their own pace without feeling pressure from a physical tether. Plus these activities can offer higher intensity exercise than most leashed walks or runs with your dog, which is perfect to maintain strong muscles.

Off-leash dog training can also give young or elderly dogs a better opportunity to take breaks and listen to their bodies. All these can be important contributors to your dog's health!

Off-leash exploration can improve your pup's mental health

Off leash activities give your dog the freedom to roam, explore, and sniff new things. This provides your dog with some much-needed mental stimulation, especially in challenging environments. Living in a modern human world — and always having to stay at the end of a short leash — can be tough for companions whose ancestors used to cover miles in a single day.

Having fun with your dog off leash can build your relationship

Choosing to do off leash training with your dog means taking the time to teach them cues that will ensure their safety, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” This training builds trust between you and your dog. The work you put in ahead of your adventures — and the joy you share on your outings themselves — ultimately lead to a closer relationship.

Before you start

We love watching our dogs run freely. But off-leash exercise isn't without risks — and it may not be for every dog. Expect to put in lots of training and always be aware of your surrounding environment!

Here are some things to know before you start working towards off-leash time with your pup.

Be aware of the risks of letting your dog off leash

There is no way to guarantee complete safety with off leash exercise. Because nearly all outdoor areas are unpredictable, you can’t be sure that your dog will never be in harm’s way.

But you can mitigate these risks by choosing the right environment and doing lots of off leash training to prepare you and your dog, which we’ll get to later.

Set reasonable expectations going in

This point is more for you than for your dog. Ask yourself: What do I expect of my dog in a given environment? How do I expect to train them to do these behaviors? 

You should also manage your expectations around how quickly your dog will learn these new skills. Be aware that training takes time, repetition, and lots of patience. You will probably be teaching your dog multiple new skills — and they will have to employ them in new and distracting environments, sometimes overcoming old habits of unwanted behaviors. This is a lot for a dog to learn. It's going to take some time! 

Establish good behaviors (for your dog and for you!)

Just like setting the right expectations, establishing good behaviors requires you to do some thinking ahead of time. Ask yourself what good behavior will look like for your dog in an off leash environment. Your list will probably include things like excellent recall, paying attention to your cues, and (in some environments) staying close to you. These will become the behaviors you teach your dog during training.

In addition, you’ll need to think about what good behavior looks like for you. Think about what you want to accomplish with off leash training and outings, and how you want to respond to your dog in various situations. Dog training can be difficult and slow moving. It's not a one-time activity but a lifelong process. Decide how you want to respond if the training is not going how you expected it to go... or if you feel yourself getting impatient.

Get to know your individual dog

Before you start off leash training, it’s important to step back and think “what do I know about my dog?” You’ll want to think about things like body language, temperament, and triggers. Think about what makes your dog nervous, what makes them happy, and what they like to “work” for (such as toys or treats). Be sure to keep in mind what triggers your dog, such as loud noises or strangers, and what their body language looks like when they are uncertain vs. when they are calm. These are all important things to keep in mind when you begin your training!

Get the right gear: Off leash training doesn’t require any expensive purchases, but you’ll want to make sure you have a couple of things on hand:

• High value treats or toys to reward your dog during training
• A clicker (if you plan to use clicker training — more on reward markers later)
• A long line for help with recall training
• Before venturing outside your home to get any off leash exercise, make sure your dog is microchipped (and that the microchip information is up to date), and has a collar with an identification tag.

Choose the right location to practice being off leash

Eventually, you’ll work your way up to training your dog when distractions are present. However, in the beginning, you need a space that is safe, secure, and as quiet as possible. 

• A Sniffspot location can be a great place for your beginning, intermediate or advanced off leash training sessions. With Sniffspot, you can rent safe and private spaces for you and your dog. Sniffspot is extra safe, and has more screening measures in place than public dog parks do. This helps Sniffspots stay extra clean, and ensures that the Sniffspot you reserve will be right for your needs. Plus, you can decide whether you want a Sniffspot where other dogs will be present, or a private one where you can train your dog one-on-one. Check out our tips for visiting a new Sniffspot.
• For intermediate or advanced training, you might consider an off-leash dog park. Dog parks can be good places to practice training in a distracting environment if your pup is social and the space is large enough to allow natural, unforced interactions. A word of warning: If you have a dog who is reactive to other dogs — or simply nervous around new animals they don't know — a dog park might not be for you. There are lots of other options to work alongside distractions, like even simply staying outside the main dog park fence or visiting a different city park!
• Be aware of leash laws. Leash laws can differ by city, state, and recreation areas. Read up on the applicable leash laws before heading out. Be sure to read all posted signs in the area, and make sure you are not breaking any leash laws before starting your off leash training.

The training process to safely have your dog off leash

Beginner training foundation

There are a few behaviors that are helpful for any dog that will be in an off leash environment:

• “Stay”
• “Leave it”
• Excellent recall: this means you need to be able to “recall” your dog, or make him come to you, at a moment’s notice and in almost any circumstance.
• Check-ins: this means your dog should stay close to you and should turn their head toward you to “check in” with you at regular intervals.

To train these behaviors, you’ll need to use positive reinforcement, meaning your dog gets a reward when they do what you ask. Use a clicker or a word like “yes” to mark the moment when your dog correctly performs the behavior.

Here’s how to train your dog to come when called:

1. Hold some treats in your hand, and your clicker if you’re using one. 
2. Stand a few feet away from your dog, crouch down, and hold your hand out. 
3. Try to encourage your dog to touch your hand with their nose–they will likely do this on their own (eventually) if they smell the treats. 
4. When they successfully perform the behavior, immediately click your clicker or say “yes” to mark the good behavior, then give their a treat and praise.
5. Repeat until your dog understands what you’re asking of her. This may take 10 or more repetitions, so be patient.
6. Move further away, and do it again. Continue to move further and further away, and repeat the procedure.
7. After your dog understands what it is you want, add a verbal cue, like “come.” Repeat the process, adding in your cue word when you encourage their to come with you.
8. Repeat the process, including the cue word, at least 10 times so your dog understands.

You can also use your long line to aid in this process. 

A fun way to practice recall is to use Chirag Patel’s counting game, which uses counting and lots of treats to teach your dog that it’s fun to come when called! 

Although a lot of repetition is involved, try to limit your training sessions to 15 minutes so your dog doesn’t get tired or overwhelmed. You may have to do several sessions. Remember, patience is key!

The process for training your dog to “stay” is similar, but with a couple of key differences:

• In addition to the “stay” cue, choose a “release” word that indicates the “stay” is over. This may be something like “free” or “all done.”
• Don’t have treats in your hand, as that will encourage your dog to come to you. Instead, keep them somewhere close by so you can grab one quickly.

1. Position your dog however you want them (sitting, standing, or in a “down” position).
2. Give them a hand signal that you want to associate with “stay,” such as showing them your palm.
3. Almost immediately, say your release word, mark the behavior with a “yes” or a click, and give them a treat. 
4. Repeat several times until they understand what you’re asking.
5. Add the “stay” cue along with the hand signal, and repeat the process: stay, click, treat.

Again, you will probably have to repeat all steps of the process several times, and may have to have several sessions with your dog before they fully understand.

Here’s how the trainers at Dog’s Day Out recommend training your dog to “leave it”: 

1. Gather two different types of treats. One should be fairly run-of-the-mill, or not that exciting to your dog. The other should be “high value”: something your dog loves, perhaps small bites of turkey or cheese.
2. Hold one type of treat in each hand. If you’re using a clicker, hold the clicker in the same hand that’s holding the high value treat. Put both hands behind your back.
3. Make a fist with your hand that’s holding the “lower value” treat, and let your dog sniff it.
4. As soon as they finish sniffing, click your clicker or say “yes,” and offer their the high value treat.
5. Repeat, adding in the cue “leave it” after you’ve done it a few times. Keep repeating until they immediately stop sniffing your hand upon you saying “leave it.”

As your dog gets better at this, you will advance to tossing the low-value treat a few feet away and teaching them to “leave it” in order to get the high value treat.

And finally, here’s how to teach your dog to “check in” with you:

1. Start by having some treats on you as you go throughout your day at home. Reward your dog with a click (or a “yes”) and a treat every time they look at you throughout the day. (Even though their looking at you is “accidental” at this point, they will soon learn that it’s a desired behavior.)
2. Leash your dog, take some treats with you, and go outside. Continue to reward every time your dog looks at you.
3. Repeat as needed!

Intermediate training steps

For each behavior, gradually increase the number of distractions in the environment. This may mean moving from indoors to outdoors, or from your own familiar backyard to a Sniffspot! 

For the “stay” cue specifically, gradually increase the amount of time your dog has to stay, and the activities you do while your dog stays. For instance, once your dog has mastered “stay” while you’re looking at him, advance to briefly looking away while your dog stays, and rewarding him when he does. 

Be sure not to move too quickly. Once your dog has mastered a basic skill, it may take several sessions before they can move on to performing the behavior with the addition of distractions or longer durations. Increase the difficulty of each behavior as gradually as possible. If you advance to the next step and it seems like your dog doesn’t understand what you want from him, that means you need to back up and go more slowly.

Advanced training scenarios

Add even more difficulties and distractions! (Again, be sure to do this very gradually.) You might take your training to an area that’s much more distracting, like a dog park or dog beach (as long as your dog isn’t reactive to other dogs). Mastering a skill in a dog park or on a dog beach is a whole other level! (Note: if you take your training to a dog park or beach, do not use treats if other dogs are present, as it may cause food aggression in some dogs.) 

For the “stay” cue, in addition to training your dog to master it in distracting environments, practice having him stay while you do other things at home: watch TV for a few minutes, cook, etc. 

For all stages of training, make sure to go slowly, have patience, and reward your dog every time he performs the behavior you want–no matter how long it takes him to get there.

Special considerations for reactive dogs

A reactive dog is one who responds to stimuli with an abnormal level of intensity, according to Applied Animal Behaviorist Karen Overall, M.A., V.M.D., Ph.D. 

The key to training a reactive dog is to know what his triggers are. For instance, some dogs may be reactive to other dogs, to strangers, or to skateboards. When doing off leash training with a reactive dog, restrict access to these triggers as much as possible, especially in the beginning. 

If your dog is reactive to other dogs or to people, you will need to think seriously about what off leash exercise will look like for him. Make sure you never put your dog in a position where he can hurt himself or others. A private Sniffspot is a great place for dogs with these triggers, while a dog beach or hiking spot likely is not. 

Professional off leash training programs

You might want to consider having a trainer work with you and your dog on their off leash skills. Dog trainers can be a great option, especially for dog parents who are new to training.

• Pros: Trainers can teach you and your dog a lot, and can be especially helpful if you’ve recently adopted a dog or have never trained a dog before. Trainers are great resources and can help you in the beginning, intermediate, or advanced stage. They may be an especially good option if you’re feeling frustrated or feel like your training isn’t getting through to your dog. 
• Cons and considerations: Though the cost varies by trainer and by location, dog training can be costly. You’ll also want to make sure you find the right trainer. Be sure to search for one who only uses positive reinforcement and “fear free” training. Lastly, remember that hiring a trainer isn’t a substitute for doing the work of training your dog. Once the trainer leaves, it’s up to you to reinforce the behaviors they’ve helped you and your dog learn!

Managing off leash training on an ongoing basis

What to do if your dog runs away

If your dog gets away from you in an off leash environment, remain calm. Using the happiest voice you can, try to use your recall word (“come” or similar). If that doesn’t work, brandish any high value treats you have on you, and call your dog again in a happy voice. 

If you dog gets away from you and you cannot find her, what you do next will depend on the environment you’re in. If you are in a confined area, keep searching and offering treats. If you are in a larger or unfenced area (such as a hiking trail) and cannot find your dog, you may need to bring in the help of a ranger or other official. 

In all cases, continue to offer treats and to sound friendly. Make yourself as appealing as possible with treats and a happy voice. Try not to let on that you are scared or angry. You want your dog to come back to you at all costs.

ID tags and microchips

Before you begin off leash training, you’ll need to make sure your dog is microchipped and that the chips information is up to date. A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that is implanted into a pet. The information encoded into the chip is readable by a scanner. If you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group, your dog might come with a microchip already implanted. If they didn’t, make an appointment with your vet to get your dog “chipped.” After the chip is implanted, you’ll need to register the microchip number with the appropriate database, which varies depending on the company that manufactured your dog’s chip. You can search the Pet Microchip Lookup to find the company that manufactured your pet’s chip, then register your information with them.

Your dog should also always be wearing an identification tag that has his name and your phone number on it. This is true for all dogs, but is especially true if you are going to be engaging in off leash exercise outside your home.

Learn how to safely break up a dog fight just in case

We all hope our dogs will never get into a fight, but you’ll want to be prepared just in case. You need to know how to break up a dog fight without getting bitten by one of the dogs. Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, says “the number one way to avoid being bitten is to avoid trying to grab the head or neck area.” Instead, grab your dog by the rear end or by their rear legs (in a “wheelbarrow” pose), and pull them away from the other dog. 

You can also try distracting the dogs using a spray bottle, loud noise, or a cue that tends to get their attention, such as “let’s get in the car!” 

Happy adventuring!

Although exercising your dog off leash comes with some risks, it’s a great tool for dogs’ mental and physical health, and can be especially good for reactive dogs under the right circumstances. It’s important to know the risks, set the right expectations, and to have a thorough understanding of your dog’s tendencies and triggers. Do your research and commit to your off leash training, and you can have a lifetime of fun, safe, and rewarding off leash experiences with your dog. And when you are ready, book a spot near you!

Trainers that reviewed this article

There is so much misinformation out there. We want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community.

These are the trainers that reviewed this article:

Danette Johnston
Owner - Dog's Day Out, Ballard, WA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Licensed AKC CGC Evaluator
NW Coordinator, Doggone Safe

Hallie Wells
Owner-Lumos Dog Training, Atlanta, GA 
Certified Professional Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP)
Applied Animal Behavior Analysts (UW-AABA)