The first ever escape.

Eli snuck out behind me when I went to get the mail which is just on our porch literally two steps from the door. He took off down the sidewalk and I was frantic (he hadn't been with us long). Luckily he responded to me running away from him and came back to chase me. Our street has fast cars too unfortunately although not terribly busy. I about had a heart attack.

Good girl Willow for going to the car. She must have thought she should go along too.
 
There is no doubt that she wanted to go with me. Normally she watches me go through the front window but the curtains were drawn so she couldn't see out. That meant coming to the door to see what was going on. She has slipped out of harnesses a couple of times, I've dropped the lead a couple of times but, fortunately for me, she's shown no inclination to run away when anything has given her a little freedom, she sticks close to me and that's lucky for us. I have no illusions though if the right stimulus occurred when she got free, like a skateboard going past us, there might be a bad ending.
 
ghggp said:
So pleased that Wilow just went to the car and you got her in time so she could stay safe!

Every time I read a post like this I feel compelled to attach this reminder...

http://www.michigansheltierescue.net/trust.html

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog...

a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting for its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called "Trust."

You knew before you ever took your dog home that it could not be trusted. The rescue group/breeder who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Dogs steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!!

When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice, you escorted your dog to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.

At home, the house was "dog-proofed." Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the living room to keep at least one part of the house puddle free. All windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "Close the door!"

Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes nine-tenths of a second after it was opened and that it is really latched. "Don't let the dog out" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "No!")

You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.

And so the weeks and months pass, with your dog becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it, your gangly, slurpy dog has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.

Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?

At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.

And then one of your friends suggests obedience classes, and, after a time you even let him run loose from the car into the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And, remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that disproves the rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in.)

Years pass -- it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. (He still gets in the garbage, but nobody is perfect!)

This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer. He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows, or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running.

Every morning my dog bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car.

Please do not risk your friend and your heart. Save the trust for things that do not matter.
Please read this every year on your dog's birthday, lest we forget.

~Author Unknown
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oh my. Seriously tearing up over here. Very sobering.
 
Glenn well Willow is so closely attached to you,
and she wanted to go with you :hugs

It is also my biggest fear that my dog will slip out
as we live right next to a busy road.

That is also why I'd never allowed Minnie to walk out of the gate
without a leash on - or I carry her. :no:

That law is always in force
whether we are in the cottage or the town house.

It is often awkward that I always have to pick her up
and carry her out in the car, but that law is always valid for me

Therefore, I can have the gate open without being afraid
she will run out - she is probably standing and waiting inside the gate

On the other hand, she also knows she is coming with me
even though she is the last to get in the car. :winkgrin:
 
I've got a wire mesh fencing around the front door with a sign at the doorbell saying "Escaping puppy - please close the gate". That was after a couple of times she escaped when I had tradespeople and ran across the road. Even though she's stopped trying and her recall is great atm I still don't trust her. I did have to let Tully out front to toilet (when my back was sore and she was sick as there are less steps). But sometimes she gets too near the road as she's used to the old place that had a front courtyard, private road and lots of parkland. My new place has a big front yard but no fence.

One of the things I love here on SF, compared to FB, is people are giving very sensible and thought out responses. One time someone on a Sheltie FB group asked for advice about stopping her young Sheltie getting out the door. Everyone (else's) response was teach it not to! I was disappointed to read those responses, that poor lady needed help not other people saying how great their dog was at the door.
 
Caro said:
I've got a wire mesh fencing around the front door with a sign at the doorbell saying "Escaping puppy - please close the gate". That was after a couple of times she escaped when I had tradespeople and ran across the road. Even though she's stopped trying and her recall is great atm I still don't trust her. I did have to let Tully out front to toilet (when my back was sore and she was sick as there are less steps). But sometimes she gets too near the road as she's used to the old place that had a front courtyard, private road and lots of parkland. My new place has a big front yard but no fence.

One of the things I love here on SF, compared to FB, is people are giving very sensible and thought out responses. One time someone on a Sheltie FB group asked for advice about stopping her young Sheltie getting out the door. Everyone (else's) response was teach it not to! I was disappointed to read those responses, that poor lady needed help not other people saying how great their dog was at the door.
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Totally agree with you, Caro. Plus, no blaming here which is great.
 
Caro said:
I've got a wire mesh fencing around the front door with a sign at the doorbell saying "Escaping puppy - please close the gate". That was after a couple of times she escaped when I had tradespeople and ran across the road. Even though she's stopped trying and her recall is great atm I still don't trust her. I did have to let Tully out front to toilet (when my back was sore and she was sick as there are less steps). But sometimes she gets too near the road as she's used to the old place that had a front courtyard, private road and lots of parkland. My new place has a big front yard but no fence.

One of the things I love here on SF, compared to FB, is people are giving very sensible and thought out responses. One time someone on a Sheltie FB group asked for advice about stopping her young Sheltie getting out the door. Everyone (else's) response was teach it not to! I was disappointed to read those responses, that poor lady needed help not other people saying how great their dog was at the door.
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And people are so much more judgemental on Facebook! I swear most on Facebook can't even read because they only read half of what you post. They really need to have higher standards or at least some semblance of a code of conduct on Facebook.
 
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