Fonzy almost got Killed today

[Newman]

Lol okay so crazy night, went to the field at around 8:00pm at night, We were at a field were it was a big as a football field (over 100yards) i was playing fetch with fonzy, running the track, and fonzy follows me. Then all of a sudden I see fonzy "BOLT" towards this big huge white dog he see's across the field (Over 90yards atleast) so when I see fonzy running I knew he probably was going to start a fight with the big dog, thankfully I sprinted/ran after fonzy and then fonzy sniffed the huge dog and like they started to be friends/etc.. Scared the crap out of me. It was at night to, so it's really dark.

I mean I didn't know fonzy could see that far/etc. he sprinted over 100yards to get to that other dog, he thought it was like a squirrel or something. I said sorry to other dog Owner, I told him "Sorry my dog thinks he's the biggest one in the world" he said "aww it's ok"

But gosh, next time I see somone with there dog, I am getting fonzy and putting him on the leaches ASAP... and leaving the field and going home.

[Tracy A.]

For the majority of Cairn owners, off leash is a risky affair. The majority of us avoid it at all costs, and fear it greatly if someone gets loose. Most of our dogs have very high prey drives, and will bolt for any type of critter....or perceived critter.

My suggestion is that you get a 20' training leash, that way you can play but he is still on a lead. I do recall a member who made a longer lead with climbing rope around 30 or 40' and tied on and knotted off a leash clip on the end so it was a massive make shift leash. This way he could play fetch with his dog in a park without worry of a dog running off and getting killed.

[beccadiane374]

I love the 20' lead I use with Tanner...it works great for situations like the one you're talking about. It gives him so much more freedom, but still gives me control. There are some times when I will drop the lead (very rarely, very controlled) but I always stay close enough that I can quickly scoop it up or step on it. Love the idea of a 30-40 ft lead...that would be fantastic!

[Kathryn]

I sure do understand that rush of fear when you see your dog heading off into trouble. We once had a cairn who really was okay off leash -- but we've never had another one. Glad everything turned out okay for you and the Fonz though.

[Newman]

I am never going to the park again, if I see any dogs out I am grabbing fonzy and putting him on the leach and grabbing him and going to my car and walking/driving home, this is for the sake of fonzy and the other owners dog too, lol

[pkcrossley]

glad fonzy is okay

"But gosh, next time I see somone with there dog, I am getting fonzy and putting him on the leaches ASAP... and leaving the field and going home. "

you will never be fast enough. fonzy is a cairn. he must be on a leash at all times. for jogging, get a long, retractable leash. it will be like he is unleashed, but you will be able to rescue hime when (not if) necessary.

[cairnrescueleague]

Was the field completely fenced in? If so, then off-leash could be OK, and it sounds like he did OK with the other dog too, i.e., he wasn't aggressive toward it, so that turned out OK too, although it's a good thing the other dog wasn't aggressive.

[Lynn in TN]

I'm so glad Fonzy is okay. I took Kelly to Pet Smart she loved all the dogs but seem to like the big dogs the best.

[jodi0553]

Glad he's ok! If you feel that you really want to have fonzy in the park, attach a 6 - 10 foot nylon leash to him and make him drag it behind him. This way, if he does bolt, you have a chance of catching him. I can get close enough to stomp on Currey's leash if he bolts, but never ever can I catch him. I've chased him over a half mile before. I even make him wear the leash around my house when I have company over because most people don't understand how quickly he can get out and go. The last time he got loose, a friend accidentally left him out and he ran after him down the entire street. At the end, just before the really busy main road, my friend cornered him on a fence and jumped on top of him to catch him. He is the first person to ever catch Currey alone. He's also active duty military and in amazing shape. So unless you've recently been through basic training, use a leash!!!

[sanford]

I even make him wear the leash around my house when I have company over because most people don't understand how quickly he can get out and go

I have this same problem with Ruffy and I agree that wearing the leash when company comes is a good idea. Has Currey ever snagged the leash on furniture, etc? I'm concerned about this possibility, but I think I'll try it.

[Newman]

Yeah the field was fenced in, when I go there I walk in and shut all the gates so fonzy can have the entire field by himself, but for this occasion some other dog owner came and tried to play in the fenced field to, which was not a good idea obviously, It probably would have been my fault anyway, I am just so thankful the other dog didn't attack.. it would have been horrible and we probably go into more debt