For those of you who enjoy taking your pup to parks or on trails where no leashes are required, off-leash training is an absolute must.

In the latest episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah demonstrates how vocal control can direct your pup’s attention squarely on you, not the oodles of distractions populating the teeming wild. It’s the best way to keep you and your dog connected, even when she’s leash-liberated out in the great wide open.

Additionally, untethered training could prepare you for potentially dangerous, off-leash scenarios. Say, if your dog should ever encounter a wild animal, an ill-tempered dog who’s also off-lead or even a child who might inadvertently provoke aggression on your dog’s part. Just being aware that your dog simply has a bit of bolt in her nature can put you ahead of the game. Not to mention, some people suffer from cynophobia (an abnormal fear of dogs). An overly enthusiastic dog, especially a large breed, could strike fear in unsuspecting hikers who don’t even suffer from this particular phobia. For all of these reasons and more, training your pup to behave while off-lead could prevent events from spinning out of control.

Mastering voice control not only frees your dog literally, it liberates you, too, allowing you to have the same sort of influence as you do in the comfort of your own home. While no guarantee against trouble, teaching your pup to heed your commands is a great way to help ensure the safety of your free-roaming pup.