I think you should spend lots of time practicing the recall and get it to be a habit to come when called first, before you let the dog off lead. If you need for the dog to exercise, take it someplace where there are very little distractions and so when you do need your dog to come, it will be easier to get it. If the dog runs way off from you, I wouldn't let it off at all for quite a long time. Once the dog is off leash and realizes he doesn't have to come, it's really hard to get a reliable recall, so it's best to get it in the dog's head that there really is no other choice, that he comes every time.
When you're are calling the dog to come, make sure you can enforce it or don't say the word, "come." Entice the dog to come by running the other way, being super silly, bouncing around, playing...try to get the dog to come after you. Sometimes hiding behind a tree will get him curious. When he is coming and just about to you, say, "come." (so he then knows what come means) And then praise like mad and give a treat. Do this a lot.
Also, when you call the dog to come, don't end the fun at that point. You can let him play some more. If you call the dog to come, don't attach the leash. Go to the dog when you need to attach the leash. Then right away, let the dog off the leash again for more play. Do this a few times, so he doesn't balk or run when it's time to get the leash back on. In fact, don't call the dog to come when you're going to do anything he hates, like clipping nails, baths....always go get him for those types of things. Make coming to you the absolute greatest, fun, tasty thing he can do. LOL.
Once he gets really good at it, I would then let him off leash in safe places with low distraction.
Lyric, my Dobe is a stick close type of dog so he was relatively easy. He's got a great recall. But, if there is a big distraction, another dog, he may not be reliable every time yet. He's two yrs. old.
When we go on hikes way out in the wilderness near my house, my dogs go off leash. But they're all pretty good about coming when called. It's way, way off from cars or other people, dogs etc. That's the only place they go off leash besides on my own acreage. They never leave the property, are very good about that....not a complete fence, (but I'm bordered by national forest and a lot of other land.) But they are breeds which tend to want to stay close to their master....Doberman and Chihuahuas. Some breeds tend to want to run off and explore or "hunt" more. My Lab was terrible that way. LOL. Obedient if I saw her, but if I wasn't looking, would sneak off and visit neighbors. Eh-hem. Thank goodness, they loved her to pieces and she didn't cause any trouble. But she made me crazy sometimes...disappearing and I'd have to go get her. I live out in the country....very little traffic or population. I mean...really out in the country. LOL.
