[redwitch]

I've owned and loved many dogs in my lifetime. Barring an Old English who was trained to be off lead at all times, they were always on a lead and curb trained. That is, they'd do their duty into the gutter and I'd clean it up. Barring when they were pups and didn't quite get it, my dogs never squatted on someone's lawn or hoisted a leg on a bush or tree. They did think fire hydrants and telephone poles were fair game and I rather agreed with them -- provided it was on public property, i.e., far side of the sidewalk.

As to the Old English, I got him when he was older and there was just too much fur on him for a collar -- he'd be matted within 30 minutes of having it on. However, he always heeled when we walked and stayed where he was told to. He truly was totally voice and hand trained. Even so, it took me a good year before I was comfortable with the idea that this dog didn't have a lead on him. Sleeper became the love of my life. Other than work, that dog truly went where I went.