Ask me why I have half a pack of el cheapo hot dogs sitting in my sink right now.
Go ahead, ask me.
I'll tell you as soon as the adrenaline stops and I can peel myself off the ceiling.
See that cutie-pie of a face there on the left? That oh-so-handsome Great Dane I talk about all the time?
He escaped the yard. Ran right out the gate behind me.
Stopped about 15 feet away and gave me "The Look." The Look that says catch me if you can, I dare you.
This is what went through my mind, literally:
no collar, same color as snow, will look like a deer, freezing, tennis shoes – wet – cold, need food, don't panic.
I arranged those thoughts into reasonable action and called to him excitedly as I ran the other way with the GOOD DOGS into the house. I didn't hear thundering paws behind me, so I peeked around the corner. He was peeing in a big drift of snow, completely unconcerned that we'd all left him.
This was not going well.
I ripped the door off the fridge and grabbed a pack of hot dogs, then grabbed a squeaky toy as I ran back out the door – the remaining three GOOD DOGS in tow. The squeaker grabbed Talos' attention, but he was nowhere near ready to come inside. He was still looking to be chased.
Still inside the yard, I threw the hot dog over the fence so he didn't have to worry I'd dart after him. I had good aim (for once) and the hot dog didn't land in a snow bank, but rather on the driveway. He ate it.
Still inside the yard, I walked a smidge closer and tossed another. At this point, I stopped feeding him and began feeding the GOOD DOGS lots of pieces of hot dog. Tons of hot dogs were going to them. None to him. Talos took a step closer.
With my back to Talos, I opened the gate and continued to feed the others. Before I could turn around to see if he was intrigued, his head was in my face.
I gave him an entire hot dog, and closed the gate. All the while acting as if I was the most unconcerned person in the world, as if this happens everyday.
I continued feeding all the dogs bits of hot dogs as we went back inside.
The morals of this story:
- Keep an eye on your dog – slipping through the gate (or door) happens in an instant.
- Don't chase! (If I would have ran toward Talos it would have made his day! And would have made him impossible to catch.)
- Reward your dog heavily when he comes back.
- Teach a rock-solid recall and practice it everywhere.
You need to add a 5th moral to the story- always keep hot dogs on hand. 🙂
Good dog trainer! I have had very, very similar experiences! (You know Miss Piper…!) Glad it worked out so well.
Now, Talos, don’t go giving your mom grey hairs like that!
I admire your cool head and quick thinking. Astro has done the same (he is part great dane, after all) and we did ALL the wrong things. Praying there won’t be a next time, but if so, now I know what to do. Glad Talo is back safe.
Thank god Talos is safe and sound. Quick thinking on your part…I guess that’s why you are the trainer…I would have done it all wrong most likely. Thanks for sharing what to do.
AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane
It was definitely a heart-stopping moment. Maybe I have a hidden talent: actress! I don’t think I looked panicked, even though I was screaming in my head. 😉 Woofs to Astro!
I’m just glad he fell for it! 🙂 I was hoping and hoping; gathering a Plan B for if the hot dogs didn’t work. I want to work on gate behavior, but it’s just been too darn cold! I can’t be outside for more than a few minutes at a time before I’m shivering! Woofs to pretty Miss Piper!