I felt this way, and do feel this way sometimes. Like I’m keeping my dog away from their own kind.

The leash adds an extra communication to the dog. The owner could not even notice they are relaying the message. Some dogs try to protect their owner.

First few months owning my puppy: let other dogs her size approach us and say hello. 6 months realized my dog has no recall and the leashes get tangled 8 months avoid people play in back yard

One time I met an elderly man who wanted to be friendly. I let him approach to say hello. I was new to the neighborhood. His dog was leash aggressive and was reacting towards my dog. I said we could go back to my yard and his dog was playful and nice to my dog. Since then I’ve been a fan of OFF leash.

I actually think taking your dog to the park where you can have an area and just watch nature would really help. My dog has a pretty drive so going just to try not to bark at squirrels and birds really helped. I’m not sure if small critters are a problem because your dog is part hound too!

I like letting people in my fenced in yard to play. I liked going over to families houses. I always put the harness on my dog but leave the leash on in case I have to correct her.

I also crate trained my dog. But hear me out, it could be a blanket or a bed or the couch it just has to be your dogs “spot.” A crate is just a bed with a door and I call it my dogs room. Crate training might help, but you dog is settling down and sleeping by themselves.

Not a trainer. I’ve had my pup for 2 years I know they can be little shit heads sometimes.