From Leash to Freedom: Maverick's 5-Day Off-Leash Bootcamp Journey
Every dog owner dreams of it: the freedom to walk with their dog off-leash, confident they will come back when called, no matter the distraction. But for many, the reality is a constant pull on the leash and the fear of what might happen if they let go.
What if you could bridge that gap in just one week?
Meet Maverick. This video is his day-by-day diary from our immersive one-week Bootcamp. The mission: to build a solid, reliable off-leash recall and give him the fun, free life he deserves. Follow his journey from Day 1 to Graduation Day.
Our Philosophy: Fun and Structure Create Freedom
Before we dive into Maverick's progress, it's important to understand our approach. We believe that the secret to a well-behaved dog isn't about suppressing their spirit—it's about enriching it. As Matt Campbell, our trainer, says in the video, "The big secret is dogs with structure and discipline have a way funner life."
We achieve this by:
Making it Fun: We incorporate miles of hiking and play into our training. A happy, engaged dog learns faster and more eagerly.
Using Nature as a Classroom: The woods, fields, and trails provide natural distractions that we use to build a truly reliable recall.
Leading with Calm Energy: We know that energy matters. We create a positive, encouraging environment where dogs can thrive.
Day 1 & 2: Laying the Foundation and Adding Distractions
Maverick's journey began on the trails, where we started laying the foundation for his recall. On Day 1, it's all about teaching the basics in a fun, low-pressure way. By Day 2, we introduce "distractions galore"—a full pack of other dogs! At this early stage, Maverick is still connected by a long leash. This is a crucial safety tool that allows him to feel freedom while we ensure he makes the right choices, every time.
Day 3 & 4: Consistent Reps Through Rain or Shine
True reliability is built through consistency. Day 3 meant braving the elements, proving that training happens no matter the weather. On Day 4, Maverick adapted to a whole new crew of dogs. Throughout these days, the focus is on "consistent repetitions." Every successful recall builds on the last, creating a strong habit of returning when called. This is the hard work that pays off in the end.
Day 5: Graduation Day!
After a week of hard work and fun, Maverick reached Graduation Day. The result is a dog who is confident, attentive, and—most importantly—happily comes back when called, even with the freedom to play with his friends. He earned his off-leash freedom by proving he could be trusted, and we couldn't be prouder of his progress.
Is Your Dog Ready for Freedom?
If you're inspired by Maverick's journey from being on a leash to enjoying off-leash freedom, your dog can have that life, too. It all starts with building a foundation of trust and communication.
Ready to leave your own behavioral anxiety in the past? Click here to learn more about our immersive One-Week Bootcamp in Rhode Island and schedule a free consultation.
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[Matt]: Day number one of Maverick's training. He's the guy at the end of this. Right now we're laying down the foundation for the recall. We want a solid, reliable, off-leash recall with distractions, so I do a ton of hiking during the course of my one-week bootcamp. I want the dog to have a good time. I want them to be in an environment that promotes that fun while they're learning. I've got two helpers with me today, that's Lucky. This is Maggie. Two staff members of the Campbell K9s Fun Bunch. And I'm no hippie, but energy definitely matters. I want the dog to have a good time but still learn, hey, there's some rules, there's some structure, there's some accountability. And the big secret is dogs with structure and discipline have a way funner life. They get to do this. So be a leader for your dog, people, and they will love you for it.
Alright, here we are, it is Day 2 of Mr. Maverick's bootcamp. And we've got a lot of friends. We're gonna be getting our repetitions in. Calling him back because there's a lot of other things he'd rather do than come back to me. I don't blame him, this looks pretty fun. So it being only Day 2, we're still connected by a leash. He'll always be wearing that blue collar on him, is a Fi collar, feigh collar, I don't know how you pronounce those. They're the tracking collar. Maverick, come! Touch. Not too shabby, buddy! And that's only Day 2. Day 2! Nice job, buddy.
Day 3 of Maverick's bootcamp. Maverick, come! Touch. Yes! Today we'll be getting our reps in. Lots of repetitions. Consistent repetitions. I sound like a broken record sometimes, but that's what it takes. Consistent repetitions. And we mix in some fun. Running, chasing, playing while we're training. Doesn't get any better than that.
It's Day 4 of Maverick's bootcamp. And we are out with a new crew. Our Thursday pack, there's Mr. Maverick. What a difference a day makes. Yesterday we were out here in monsoon conditions and today it's freezing cold. Maverick, come! Touch. Yes, good boy!
Day 5, it's graduation day for Maverick. Maverick, come! Touch. Yes, good boy. Little bit of playtime on the last day of bootcamp. Well, I hope you'll join me in congratulating Maverick on an awesome week of bootcamp. And that's Maverick. I didn't teach him to do that.
Hey, if you want your dog to end up like Maverick and have an awesome recall like that, and you want to check out our bootcamp, that's how you get there.
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