Backing Out the Door
This is the first day of Advent, the begining of the Christian year which happens to fall in the middle of Hanukkah. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
Anyone whose ever been to my house, or has more than one dog, knows about "backing out of the door." I'm fanatic about doors and gates being latched and closed securely to prevent the hounds, who every day have more than an acre upon which to cavort, play, and run, from darting out the door to "freedom, freedom!" I shake my head and then, with anyone else here, go to retrieve said dog(s).
Lesson always learned: don't chase. Oh, that's a fun, fun game and you'll just become frustrated. Walk somewhere away from, yet around, the dog (if you can still see her). For many of my dogs, opening the car door, sitting in the driver's seat, will bring most running for a ride. Gotcha! Very smelly treats help, too, as well as much patience.
ALWAYS REWARD a dog when they come back or you catch them. NEVER punish, no matter how badly your heart thumped; you WANT them to come back next time and not avoid you.
Sometimes, rarely, they simply are not that fast. I remember a few years back watching Shiloh Beagle (perpetual escapee and wanderer) run up the neighbor's hill followed by Hoss, a Redbone Coonhound who jumped my 4 Ft. fence, pushing off with his hind legs and swiftly matching Shiloh. Although I didn't like him jumping the fence, Hoss was an elegant jumper. He now lives with his boys in a family with no fence...he knows he has a good home.
This particular day, Todd Beagle darted out the door to follow the "big dogs." Knowing Todd, I didn't dart after him. Todd is sweet, cute, somber....
and slow.
I had time to get a leash (I now keep one by the door and often wear one as a belt) and walk after Todd, who quit halfway up the hill, turned around, and was ready to come home. Sweet, sweet boy now living with his mom in Pennsylvania.
Todd Beagle - pure sweetness
In conclusion, know your dogs, be prepared, and back out your door, telling them to "back, back" as they try to put their noses and bodies through the door behind you.
Unless it's raining. Then my dogs do a 180. Which helps with the door but not with house training. Sigh.
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