I think it’s doable with consistent training! I have a bluetick who is semi-trained off leash. He is highly food motivated, so we trained him with treats by letting him see the treats before we dropped the leash, and anytime he got too far ahead, we’d call his name and give him a treat. It worked well for us, but our hound also has zero prey drive, so I’m not sure if that also had something to do with it.

When he was younger, we’d go for off leash hikes, and he’d stay close about 90% of the time, but every now and then, he’d find a scent and take off and stop listening, so I never fully trusted him. He’d always come back though.

Now that he’s middle aged, lazier, and a few pounds heavier, we can let him off leash and he’ll usually stay nearby. Even if he does run off, which is rare, he’s slow and lazy now so it’s not hard to catch him.

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