[DeepDistress]

^ Yes, but the difference is is them being safe right now and not leaning better then them not being safe later on? if you don't teach them to stay by you without a leash while they're young what happens when they're 6-7 and still run off just because when they were younger they couldn't? and hold the kids hand, and he can't run off. Children can understand consequences just fine, if they have parents who teach it.

[Antigone]

Not always. Trust me on this. The goal is to keep them safe. Teach them while keeping them safe, there's no need to risk it. Once they've learned not to run off, then they don't need the leash anymore.

Simple fact of the matter is, not every child is the same. Some are going to need leashes, some won't understand no matter what you teach them. Some are going to be the opposite of this. To use a leash or not use a leash depends on the child. Eventually they'll learn not to run off, but in the meantime they need to be kept safe. If my child still doesn't understand that he shouldn't run off, you think I'm gonna trust him to keep hold of my hand when we go out?
Until he can show it by not pulling on the leash, then I'm not going to let him off it. You teach them while keeping them safe. When they learn not to tug on the leash and to behave and to stay by your side, then you can take off the leash. If they run away, they get punished.

Believe me when i say not all kids can understand consequences just fine. Some don't get it at all.

Long story short, you teach them while keeping them safe. I'd rather that happen then have them speed off and something horrible happen to them. Like I said, it depends on the kid. Some need leashes, others don't. And a leash can help you learn, by the way.

[Ashleii15]

I HIGHLY disagree with them! -.-