Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
How do you handle this situation?
We have a double gate system when we let out the dogs. We do not have a fence.
1. The back door ( they sit )
2. Then out to the enclosed open patio that has a rod iron gate ( they sit )
Inside the patio is where we keep the leads/runs to let them out into the yard. This gate is always closed. Each dog is clipped, one at at time, and then let out. Many times only one can go out at a time. The other dog waits inside the gate until each is finished. Spud, the hyper one , goes out first. He knows what to do and comes right back. Mellow Starlit takes a good 10 minutes so she is last.
We always wait outside with them. We have a routine.
Since the winter weather Starlit has escaped 4 times. This a disaster. She is very shy and spooked. If something happens I truly believe this would not go well.
Yesterday the gate latch frooze in the open position. As I opened the back door, DH yells, " The Gate is Open" and they both took off jumping and running in free delight. Spud ( older dog ) came right back when I yelled Frisbee. Starlit on the other hand went into the woods and into another neighborhood ( each time she has gone further).
Now I have always understood to NEVER CORRECT THE COME COMMAND--no matter how long the " Come " takes. We also did not chase her but decided to engage in play with Spud hoping she wanted to join us all the time calling " Come, Cookie, Get Spud" etc......
DH finds her two blocks away in the woods and brings her home.
Starlit is a big greeter. Loving, excited, and happy to see you every moment. I calmly said, NO. No, No, No. Slowly. I immediatley placed the wet snow covered dog in her crate for 10 minutes. I said nothing. No happy greeting, no " good come", nothing. In this case I have always heard never to use the Crate as a punishment/time out/ you've done a bad thing.
My dogs have a relatively free area in the home when we leave so we have NOT been using the crates for the past 8 months. The crate was something new for her again. She cried.
Both have been to obedience. Yes, we are working on recall. All the Time!~!~ I value its importance. They are almost perfect when they know there is a lead attached. Once they know this does not exist--The joke is on me.
So my question:
What would you do to let your dog know that this was NOT ACCEPTABLE?
Did I handle this correctly?
p.s. The gate now has an added bungee cord until the thaw to ensure this does not happen again
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Joanne, Lots of good advice. I have tried the "Run away" thing with Murphy when he would get zoomies at agility class (embarassing, but not dangerous), He always came after me. But she has to see you.
A game that my son and I play with Murphy is "Where is...Jon/mom/etc..?" When he finds them, he gets a treat. He still gets very excited about this game. You and FJ could do the "Starlit, come" game.
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