Actually in my neighborhood, it was the opposite problem, people letting the cats out and then not supervising or carrying where they went, or not fixing them. So we have always had horrible ferral cat problems in my parent's neighborhood. Here in Revere, people seem to keep their cats indoors, and it is probably a good thing with all the traffic around. Shelley L. Rhodes M.A., VRT, CTVI and Guinevere, Golden lady Guide juddysbuddy@xxxxxxxxxxxx Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc. Graduate Alumni Association Board www.guidedogs.com More than Any other time, When i hold a beloved book in my hand, my limitations fall from me, my spirit is free. - Helen Keller ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sheila Styron" <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 9:40 AM Subject: (VICT) Re: Off-leash? Ollie, I believe you are right regarding animals accustoming themselves to various situations. Many in the states don't let their cats out, but I have always allowed mine to go out, although they must spend the night in the house for my peace of mind. I start when they are still kittens with ever increasing increments of freedom and teach them to come home to the calling of their name, treats, and usually an associated sound as well. With Rocky, it's a very high tinkling bell which will carry a long distance from my back porch. Sheila Styron, President Guide Dog Users, Inc. 816-363-3172 sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ollie Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 2:10 AM To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: (VICT) Re: Off-leash? Hello Sandy and list, Yes, I've always let my dogs play off leash. I've never had any bad experiences up to now (and on December 23 I'll celebrate forty years since I got my first guide dog). The best dog as far as recall goes was Nice, the first of my two GSD's, but then she was the best guide dog I've ever had anyway... The most difficult were Nittie (another GSD) and Pretty, but they improved with time. Pretty learned recall with C/T, and now she's really fantastic. We have a place at Lake Maggiore, where we spend parto f our summer holidays, and Pretty is really free to come and go whenever she wants. She goes out to call her other four-legged friends, and together they go swimming in a small stream that surrounds our back garden - which looks like a small peninsula -, and then she runs free in the woods on the other side ofthe stream. But whenever I call, she comes running, never mind where she is. It took acouple of years to get there, but now she's really reliable... I kow the place is safe though, and that nothing can happen to her and the other dogs, as it is a private area and it's enclosed. When we go to the mountains, in areas where dogs can be left of leash, I always let my dogs run freely. They never lose sight of me, and I don't have to worry. I suppose the more used they are to it, the less dangers they get themselves into. Hugs and wags, Ollie & Pretty -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.14/999 - Release Date: 9/10/2007 5:43 PM