another "first step" - practicing the recall off-leash, outside

I just took another BIG step in Sadie's training. She is so easily distracted that she doesn't have a good recall outside. Actually, the only places she has a good recall are in the house and at Canine Craze.

On Saturday night, I started working Sadie's recall outside on a 50-foot long line. I only gave her 15-20 feet of it, though. She did really well.

Tonight I was working it and decided I could maybe be brave enough to try it off leash on my small patio. My patio is VERY small - not sure how big it is - and it is basically enclosed on three sides (house on one side, vinyl fence on the other). I took off her leash, threw a piece of kibble for her to "find it" towards the enclosed end of the patio and then said her recall word as she was heading back to me. I didn't do a good job of keeping track of how many trials we did...maybe 6-8? She was successful at every trial!! Maybe someday she WILL be able to be outside off-leash!