Can a Samoyed Dog be Trusted Off-Leash? (11 answers)

Dragon2323: Can Samoyed be trusted off-leash?
I'm thinking about getting a Samoyed puppy or adopting one if I could find one in my area. I have a lot of experience with Husky so I was wondering if Samoyed can be trusted off-leash or are they more like Husky and must be on a leash at all times.

I live near a lake and they have a dog beach where we can take our Samoyed off-leash.

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Answers and Views

Answer by walkinglady
Samoyeds have strong chase instincts, so you need to have your dog well trained, know his temperament as well as pick and choose the time and place to let him off the leash. They are dogs who always like to be with their owner, but the owner has to make sure the dog knows who the leader is. So, it would depend both on the individual dog's temperament, as well as your skill as the trainer.

Answer by Cooper
You should take dog treats with you on a walk so that your dog won't get bored and want to run off. Treats are a great way to keep them close by.
Samoyeds can be easily distracted and may need some extra motivation when walking without a leash. Give your dog a treat on the walk before taking them off-leash to motivate your dog to walk with you.
I usually have some kibbles or other small treats with me. You can buy a Kumalong's dog treat bag for training and put all you need inside instead of your pockets.

Answer by Labelle Jolie
I've had Samoyed dogs all my life. Two were runners but not trained by me. Three were fine off-leash in the appropriate areas. In the city, they'll chase squirrels. I never had a problem with them chasing cats, but we lived next door to cats and they were introduced to them at an early age. Females seem more easily trained and more mellow, but it really depends on the dog, and the parent's temperament, if you know it.

My last dog would be happy with me off-leash in the yard. Most of the time. She was the neighborhood greeter, however. We called her Miss Congeniality. We took her to off-leash parks all the time, and she loved to swim, but not all sams do. We would go hiking with her no problem. They're great dogs.

Answer by jumptumblestunt
It completely depends on the dog. If he doesn't even turn a head at people, dogs, or Squirrels, and if he has a 100 percent reliable recall and heel, Samoyed is able to be trusted off leash
But for most Sammies this requires extensive training (couple hours a day anyone?) or at least a dog with arthritis who won't chase even if he wants to…and you don't want to wait for that :(
See how your dog does first and check your leash laws…good luck!

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Answer by John
No. As the former owner of a wonderful lovable Samoyed dog, they can not be trusted off-leash.

Like most of cold-weather breeds, they are stubbornly independent. They are also more prone to responding to ancient instinctual behaviors than are other dogs. Hence their prey-kill instinct is very strong. This means that when they see a small animal running, like a rabbit or squirrel their instincts will tell them to chase it. They may not kill it because they are not hungry, but they will run off after it.

With that said, it is never a good idea to walk any dog off-leash no matter how obedient because all dogs, no matter how well trained, may still randomly respond to the instinct to chase small animals. In the process, they may wander too far and become lost. Or worse, blinded by instinct they may run out into a busy road and be hit.

I had a big lovable goofy labrador that would mostly obey off-leash but occasionally dart off if off-leash. After a few scares, I kept him on a leash at all times

IMO, it's always best to only allow a dog off-leash in an enclosed yard.

There are electronic shock collars, too, but the headstrong Northern cold-weather breeds are famous for not obeying the shock and still running off.

Also, IMO, no matter what some people claim, shocking the dog is abusive. Try the collar on yourself. It is painful and can leave a burn mark.

Answer by Lacey UD
I feel that any dog can be reliable off-leash if he is trained properly. There is one samoyed in the area that works as a herding dog. There are several pets in the area that backpack/hike off-leash with their owners in the National Forests. They carry their own dog food.

I've seen several nordic breed individuals that were very reliable off-lead. They also belonged to excellent trainers who had a goal in mind and knew the steps that it took to get there. So many people see these dogs as being stubborn and hard to train. I see them as unique breeds that are many times smarter than their owners.

Answer by Spud the Bull Terrie
Some breeds as a general rule aren't good off the lead, however, every individual dog is different. training makes a difference, if you want this breed then put the training in and assess your individual dog for its suitability to be let off the lead.

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Answer by Pink_Elephant
I own a Samoyed. He is a runner. He is command trained, but if he gets it into his mind that he is going to run, he's off to the North Pole. I do know people who have trained their Samoyed's well enough to let them off-leash, so you may have to try it on a long lead before you know. It will depend on the dog. Mine is well trained, but sometimes he gets it into his mind that he is going to run, and there is little that will stop him. 90% of the time, he's fine, but I'm not taking the risk on the other 10%.

BTW, I think Samoyeds are the most wonderful breed. Very sweet and loving, but not "in your face". Mine is my love. They're just a little headstrong, but in a way I enjoy. Different breeds definitely are different. My golden retriever is excellent with commands but is in your face and needy. They're all different.

Answer by babyjustn
I had a Samoyed and while I can't say it applies to all dogs ours was a handful. We bred huskies when I was younger and I would say they are similar. They are very athletic and need to be in an area where they can run and play – much like your Husky. Ours had an electric fence that he would run through, even though he was getting shocked. He also started to get mean around 3 years of age. We ended up having to take him to a cow farm where he was not really around strangers and he did OK.

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He was well mannered on the leash and learned quickly but I think since they are related to the chow breed they tend to be a little nippy and uncomfortable around strangers.

Answer by hmmmm in reply to babyjustn
I’ve never heard of the worst description of this breed. Samoyeds love everyone and everything and are never aggressive unless wrongly bred/mixed or trained with physical abuse.

Answer by NadHatter
More importantly, find out if your state has leash laws. Here in PA, all dogs must be secured at all times.

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