Scarey moment

[Steph_D]

It was a nice day out yesterday and David had the girls outside riding their bikes in the field. I went out to watch a little (the cool air was giving me a headache, so I had to stay in most of the day

) and took the Runt with me for some exercise. Well, one minute she was there, the next minute she was gone She usually minds pretty good and never goes off the property, so I was very surprised that I couldn't find her. I kept calling and calling, and finally David realized that she was gone so we all started looking, but she wasn't there. I was getting scared and the girls were about to cry. I was afraid that she got into the highway

Finally Courtney (my oldest) and I got in the truck and went up to the neighbor's house to see if he'd seen her. While I was knocking on the door (they weren't home) Courtney was looking in the cow field and saw Runt so we drove out there. She was scared. She finally realized that it was us and jumped in the truck and immediately cowered down. She knew that she was in trouble. I got her home and in the house and told her that she couldn't go back out without a leash, bad doggie.

The only thing that I can figure is that she started chasing a rabbit and by the time she lost him, she was lost too. She'd never been off the property except for in the truck, so she had no clue where she was. We were all scared, but I had to tell the girls to NOT cuddle her because she was in big trouble! But hey, she didn't tear anything up last night, LOL.

 

[Pepipony]

Wow, I bet that scared the bejeebies out of all of you, Runt included. Glad you found her ok! :aktion033:

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I'm glad you got her back but must, as a dog trainer, take you to gentle task over your handling of her. She had NO way of knowing she had done anything wrong, believe me.

When correcting a dog you have a window of five seconds before they have totally forgotten.

All you are teaching her, by prolonging her "punishment" is that home is not a nice place to be and next time to keep running.

If I lose a dog (and I have one that goes to the Pub in summer!!) I suck it up and I am really, really pleased to see her.

I grit my teeth and I say "Goog goggy".

And Yes, I have just wasted two hours I do not have looking for the little rat- one day she was gone all day- but she knows I am pleased to see her and she comes to me, tail wagging.

Remember the Prodigal Son...you should have been giving thanks, not chastising her.

 

[Sterling]

Awww poor little girl. I'll bet she was scared, and sooo glad you found her. That for sure was plenty of exercise for her......she was too tired to get into anything in the house :lol: . Do you have a lunge line? The kind without the chain on the end? When we take our girls out to parks, we usually bring a couple of those along...they can go farther without the danger of them actually being away from us and getting into trouble or harm. Glad she's safe and sound at home.

 

[Sandy S.]

SO GLAD YOU FOUND HER. BUT I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED, IF A DOG ONLY REMEMBERS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. WHY DOES MINE MEET ME WHEN I GET HOME FROM WORK KINDA SULKING, LIKE HE HAS DONE SOMETHING WRONG. THEN I FIND HE HAS TORN SOMETHING UP IN THE YARD. IT IS LIKE HE KNOWS HE DID WRONG AND WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO DO IT.

 

[FFFoxyGal]

Sooo very glad you found her!!!! :aktion033:

Sandy S.,......I think in most things,..they only have a window of 5 seconds,.....except for bad things!!

Maybe that is why men and dogs have such a great bond!!!

:

your little dog,..reminds me of Fred,...cause anything good that I try to teach him,..he just forgets in about 5 secs,....BUT,....when he does somthing bad,.....he comes running,..yelping ,..with his tail between his legs too! :new_shocked:

: :lol:

That is probably why we will NEVER understand men!!,....they are still doing studies on dog behavior and once we know all there is to know about them,...maybe the male issue will be solved as well!!!

sorry,..just had to add that!

:

once again Steph,.....glad you got her back safe and sound,..I would be outta my mind if little Boo dissapeared!

:

 

[sharon]

:aktion033: I'm so glad you got the little goober back! Critters sure can scare their owners!!!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Sandee all dogs start by sulking- if you reinforce this with "OK....WHAT have you done??" Body language, the result is a full sulk.

There is also the knowledge from prior reactions that you are NOT going to be overjoyed to find the rug eaten/pooed upon, BUT if you have two dogs and one poos, BOTH will aplogise. This is just normal "Boss Dog" placatory action, and the smell, or chewed rug acts as a constant reminder that all is not right in the house and Mama Dog does NOT like her house messed with!!

For example, my dogs reaction when house training was exactly the same as when they have an occasional accident- even though they have never been chastised for either.