Update on "pre-owned" dog Elli

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

The third day I had Elli, she jumped over our fenced in back yard and ran like the wind!  I was shocked!  I had been out in the yard with Skadi and Elli, supervising their play when the neighbor's dog appeared on the other side of the fence...Elli went into a wild frenzied fit of barking, running crazily up and down the fence, leaping up, higher and higher...until she jumped completely over and ran as fast as she could...away from my "come here" commands.  I was beside myself.  I had not had a chance to get any tags for her.  I had an appointment in a few days to get her dog license....and now it was getting dark...I ran and ran in my snow boots, calling, calling to a dog I had only had a few days.  She is a very very fast runner and I could see her far ahead of me darting in and out of the woods and backyards of our neighbors.  Yes, I started crying because I knew she didn't know the area very well,  we had gone for walks but not very far, and without any kind of identification, the end of day coming, well my heart was sinking like the sun.  Then I spotted her!  There sprang a bit of hope.  But then she was gone again.  Reluctantly I made my way home and thought I would take the car and try and find her before it got too dark.  I pulled the car to the end of the driveway...spotted her running gleefully all over...I jumped out of the car and she ran over to me!  Just like that!  OMD what a blessed relief!

Elli, the "pre-owned" 6 year old golden doodle has been with us now for over a month.  Since January 8th.  The previous owner's have not inquired about her well-being.  I had ask them if Elli had any issues I needed to address, because I was having a trainer help me out with her re homing.  They said they knew of none...maybe they had NO idea of Elli's special skills!

So now I need to make a decision about Elli.  Maybe you all could help....

Should I put up a higher fence?

Or should I just fatten Elli up like Skadi so she CAN'T  jump over the fence!!!! 

Just kidding.  We are working successfully with Elli's bad habit of jumping up on the fence.  She is one extremely loving loving girl.  

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Thank you all so very much for your ideas and concerns.  When I entertained getting another furbaby, I thought a puppy would be too much for me to handle and an older dog would be somewhat easier.  Elli has had an unfortunate choice of previous owners who allowed behavior that ultimately led to her re-homing.  She however has the sweetest disposition, must be her golden retriever half...unlike her sister Skadi who appears to have a sweet disposition, but the independence of her poodle half.  So the two of them have been a real delight.  

Ignorantly, I couldn't think of any challenge I couldn't get help with if I accepted another dog into our family...NOT once did I consider a dog jumping over the fence as one of the many challenges...just never entered my mind...so, another lesson learned...the hard way.  Never too old to learn.  No matter what we have to do for Elli, she will be with us furever.

I am actually astounded as to the love and affection she immediately gave to us.  We figured she has had so many homes that her theme song is "Love the one you're with!"

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Ugh, how horrible. I dont know what to tell you except work on recall constantly.    Spud, even at 6, could jump that fence in a minute.  We knew this when we put in our fence and made it 6 feet all around. The deer walk past like they know now, he cant get to them but I do think he has cut his paws on the chain-link a few times trying to

Spud is ball fixated, so if I yell ball, he returns.  Praise constantly,no matter how bad the recall response.   Have lots of cookies, toys, etc outside

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

How scary!  So glad it has a happy ending and that you are finding a permanent fix.  My guy can scale a fence with a standing leap, not even a running start.  We use an electric fence, but of course that is not without it's concern.  So far though, he is very respectful of his boundaries and I can only hope it remains that way.  

Elli is a lucky dood to finally have found his forever home.  

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I know how you feel Joani! Thank goodness she returned. Hopefully she will respond to the training.  I had a similar experience a few days ago - The UPS truck parks in our cul de sac and then he walks up our long drive with any deliveries.  I heard him leave the package at the front door and I waited a few minutes and thought for sure I heard the driver closing his truck door and start up the truck  I opened the front door to get the package and Charlie and Beau went out to investigate like always. Charlie stopped at the package, Beau went out 20 feet to the driveway.  I told them to come, Charlie came in an instant, Beau cocked his head and then took off running like a wild doodle down the driveway. It was raining, I was shoeless and barely out of bed!  I ran through the house to the patio and looked down in the cul de sac and saw Beau barking at the UPS truck and following him right around the corner.  I grabbed my keys and drove down the street and could not find Beau or the UPS truck.  I was so scared.  Thank goodness our area is mostly retirees and little traffic during the day.  I slowly drove down the street checking each yard and to no avail.  I was about 1.5 blocks from home and then I saw him - he was walking on the sidewalk quickly with a purpose apparently trying to get back home. I pulled up to him, stopped and walked over the sidewalk and called his name, I know he knew better, he looked like he knew he was in trouble and he did not want to come to me.   I yelled "treat" and ran the opposite direction and he came running.  I put him in the car and tried to remain calm.  When we got, we did some recall in the back yard, and it will be a daily thing until we get this down.  I am looking forward to the next time UPS arrives.  Beau will be on a long line!  alm, but told him that would not happen again.  I am not too keen on using e-collars, but I think your trainer is right in that it is kinder than them getting hurt.  Please post how Elli responds to your training.   Charlie has always looked to me for instruction, Beau is extremely independent (almost like a kid hears what you say, but proceeds to do what he wants)!  yikes.