Walking Off-Leash

Yesterday, when Bandit and I were walking at the park I let him walk off-leash for a bit.  When we were done walking the main trail that we take, we walked some of the trails that wind through the main upper park area.  I could see in the distance that there was no one else on the trail so I took Bandit's leash off.  He walked beside me, on my left side, for a good half mile!  I was so proud of him.  Only a few times he went ahead of me, so I would stop and tell him "right here."  He would then return to my side and we'd continue on.  It really helped that no one else was on the trail and no squirrels darted about.  My goal isn't to have him walk off-leash in our neighborhood; I would never feel comfortable doing that.  But when we go on vacation to the ocean it'd be great if he would be able to be off-leash at certain times, and it's be great fun for him.  I've been very hesitant to have Bandit off-leash except for when he has playtime at the park with his friends. 

Here's a picture I took this morning of Bandit doing his head tilt.  Since the day we brought him home last summer, he tilts his head when we ask him questions and talk to him in general.  He seems very intent on understanding everything we say.  He often times tilts his head from side to side if he's really intent on figuring out what we're saying.