There are three basic commands that the dog should have before being off-leash, in a non-enclosed space. Those three commands are:

• come - the dog can be recalled to you, no matter what the distraction.
• down - the dog will drop to the ground immediately when the verbal command is heard. That means that the dog will stop whatever activity and drop to the ground. And stay there until you say that it is allowed to move.
• stay - the dog will stay, no matter what the distraction/temptations.

Each one of those commands are essential in controlling a dog off-leash. The commands must be perfectly reliable, no matter where the location or what the circumstance. When you give the command, the dog must obey. Otherwise, the dog should not be off-leash.

Without these commands being reliable, it is simply taking a risk on the dog’s well being to allow the dog to be off-leash.

*** Let me add one exception. There are sight hounds that should never be off-leash. Sight hounds are amazingly quick. They can be in full stride in a matter of seconds. Their instincts upon seeing something interesting (prey) is so strong that even the most meticulous obedience training cannot be trusted. The obedience simply cannot be trusted when the innate instincts are so strong.

Catherine Forsythe