Big Scare

[jodi0553]

I made a big mistake today. Currey plays with a "friend" at work on the lawn in front of the building I work in. When his buddy is around, he sticks to him like glue. After a year of gradually allowing him more and more freedom, I trust him off-leash only around this one dog and in this one play area. Usually, though, just to be safe, I make him drag a 6 foot lead behind him, since when he does decide not to go in, he'll always let me within a foot or so of him before bolting away. Well, today I left his leash off. stupid, stupid STUPID. He was following the other dog back into the building when he bolted off onto a hiking trail that runs through campus. I ran after him, and he didn't relent. I tried running the other way, luring with treats, the whole 9 yards. About 1/4 mile down the trail, it hits a residentail neighborhood. He got there and went into someone's yard. I made a dive for him there, but missed. He then took off down the residential street towards a main road. This was nearly a half mile from where we started. I'm young and in shape, but asthmatic, and I couldn't run any longer, as I don't carry an inhaler when I go a few feet from my office door to sit and watch my dog play. I am so happy for a guardian angel. About 3 houses from the busy main road, there were some men working on a house. One was out in front of the house and from a block back I yelled for help. My dog, of course, ran straight into the arms of the stranger. I am so lucky. I almost break into tears every time I think of what would have happened if those men weren't there. I made it back to my office and found an inhaler, and my very exhausted dog is curled up behind me on my chair at my desk right now. I'm so mad at myself. I know better. I've had terriers before. I know they will bolt and will choose not to obey because that's what they do. I just cannot believe that I thought I could trust him. Even if every day for a year he follows the other dog back into the building, one day, the spirit of freedom just sets in, and like that he can run away.

[Scruffys Mom]

I think we all have a story to tell like yours. It is my biggest fear, and one I have lived through. I never never never allow either pup off leash ever. Even in a gated dog park I am constantly looking at the gates. My husband and I just put up storm doors as an extra layer of protection for the dogs, not the weather. DO your self a favor and buy a 50 ft lead and only allow very closely supervised play time with that. DO not beat yourself up but try to manage the situation.

[Darcy's Folks]

Yes, we all DO have stories like yours. It makes your heart stop!!! It just takes that one time for us to learn our lesson. Glad to hear that everyone, including yourself, was okay after the mayhem! Guess the best outcome is you'll have one heck of a tired pup tonight!!!! Darcy bolted out the front door once (MY FAULT) and ran up to 2 ladies who were walking their pugs. Thank goodness they were just outside our home when she bolted. And good thing Darcy HAS to be the "cruise director" and meet & greet all the dogs in the neighborhood!!! I still think back on that day which was over 1.5 years ago... and think what would have happened if those 2 ladies with the pugs weren't there. Makes you tear up a little!

I'm just glad that you're not mad at Currey! It's stories like yours that sometimes lands well behaved dogs into pounds, just because of one instance.

[Pepandfriend's mom]

Please don't feel bad. I can still remember the November day 3 1/2 years ago that Pepper got out, at night, and I was just in despair of finding him. I will never forget it. I am glad your story had a happy ending.

Recently my new neighbor and I went in together to replace an old fence between our houses. The crew putting in the new fence must have thought I was completely nuts: they were introduced to my pups, and I got them to put up a makeshift Cairn/Westie-proof barrier till a permanent gate would be installed. It has been an interesting couple of weeks! Sorry this is so long, but you just get extra sensitive after you have had a pup get out.

Glad Currey is ok!

pam

[Toby23]

So, tell me more about the men who saved your dog ! (just joking). My granddaughter's have accidently let my big boxer out......While he is not a terrier, he will not recall in a free state of mind, the amazing thing is, he will SIT anywhere on command ! Once he is sitting and I'm talking nicely, he will come with me politely. One thing I would like to add, once you have "caught" you pup, don't yell at them, I think that makes it worse to catch them if the pup gets out again....... and of course here's a BIG hug !

[mrskti]

been there, done that!!!! i also did the stupid, stupid, stupid thing!!!!! it's over now, just move on and get a loooong lead to drag!!!

[Maggie15]

we've been using the long lead (about 75' of rope) to let maggie run around in the park nearby, when just last week we started to walk down our sidewalks (we have only sidewalks between the fronts of the houses no cars, so you can walk the neighbourhood without car traffic, very nice!)...either way we were looking at a house that was having some ice problems, scaffolding up, insulation on the front lawn, it was dark and maggie bolted!! ... and with the snow being 3-4' deep it was hard to find her! -we ran up and down the sidewalks and streets for 5 minutes -felt like an hour -we she ended up coming out from a rear yard only 2 doors away - but even on a long lead you have to keep an eye on these dogs! -or at least for me, keep one hand on the lead, i wasnt holding it...

either way, we dont trust her off the lead ever.... if we are alone in the park, the long lead is used to let her have some 'free' movement and we also practice our recall standing 100' apart this way...

a

[toomanypaws]

I'm so glad for those guardian angels that were in the right place at the right time. Don't beat yourself up. We all want to think our precious Cairns would never dream of leaving our sides. I'm just glad your little Currey is safe w/ you again. The mind of a Cairn is SO different than that of a Lab's. I couldn't get my Lab to leave me even if I tried beating him over the head.

[jodi0553]

Thank you all for your responses. Somehow, its just good to know when you are not alone! I've had him on a very short leash both literally and figuratively for 24 hours. Against my better judgement, I did let him run dragging a lead today, but had about 8 college students in the area playing with him and all knew that he bolted yesterday and they were all ready to help if he tried again. He tends to run to anyone who calls his name EXCEPT me. Its really quite rediculous defiance. He is respectful of me as alpha, but also acts like a 4-year-old child with willful defiance. But hey, I didn't adopt a lab, I got a cairn! I was scared to let him drag the lead, but he did let me get within a foot multiple times yesterday on our adventure, and I know that in a full sprint I can catch up to him and stomp on that leash! Plus, I was completely on edge and watching him with an eagle eye the whole darn time. I am going to go shopping for a longer leash very soon. Have tried the rope tied to the collar, but I don't tie knots well enough to hold him when he really tugs. Anyone have suggestions for where to find something cheap and lightweight like a nylon lead that has a clip on it like a leash?

[bradl]

If you want deluxe, you can buy a 40' tracking lead.

I've got a cheesy 40' lead I made that's been in the laundry room cupboard for years. You could borrow it indefinitely if you want. PM me if you want to try it.

[eastofeden]

I have a cotton web 30' ft lead that I use on my girl when we go to the beach. Since I live in an area with a very dog friendly beach (dogs allowed and are permitted off lead)....I usually let her drag it around when we are there. She is actually pretty good about staying w/me.....but occasionally she will get a wild hair and run back down the beach and not listen to me so I like having the security to catch her. I also have used it to practice recalls when we are not in a truly secure area.

[Toby23]

Hey Brad, thanks for the link to the long leash, you are the best! I take Toby into my unfenced tiny front yard when I am doing yardword, but I've been clipping several leashes together so he can wander a bit while I'm working. I've seen a few longer leads, but for sure they are meant for a huge heavy dog !

[kcsdogs]

Don't worry, you are not the first of us to do that. Kipper is pretty good off leash, but several of the other terriers we have had especially the PRTs are like so not trustworthy off leash. The good thing about it is that it generally scares you bad enough the first time that there is not a second..........