[esSJay]

My parents are off to Australia for a month and we happily volunteered to dog sit Skoker, their 2.5 yr male golden.

One of the last things they said to Jay and I was "I bet by the time we get back, Steph will think that 2 dogs is 1 dog too many". I shrugged it off and rolled my eyes, saying that if anything, it's going to make me want a second dog even more.

Hmm.. Where's the foot-in-mouth smiley? I'm eating my words now!

They just walked out the door about 20 minutes ago. I went to our car to grab the bag of dog food and as I walked in the front door to the 4 eyes and 2 wagging tails, I turn around to kick the door closed with my foot and at the last second, Skoker darts out the door, running laps at full speed around our front yard, across the street and into the neighbour's yard. I yell inside for Jay to come help me and of COURSE, Molson forgets all of his training and takes off too, full speed after Skoker :doh:.

This does not add to the situation and Skoker starts running faster, and further away down the street, with Molson in tow.

I burst into tears from frustration and in fear of them getting hit by a car, as the street at the end of ours is a fairly busy street, which they were running across, back and forth. The only thing that came into my mind was my friend (and now GRF member, wattney)'s dog who was hit by a car last weekend. :--sad:
One finally runs close enough to me that I could grab him by the scruff and hold him down until Jay could grab the other dog. I picked up Molson and started carrying him home across the street, and Jay tries to do the same to Skoker, but Skoker flicks his head up with his teeth out, still in play mode and scrapes the side of Jay's face with his tooth and drew a tiny bit of blood and made a small bruise.

I'm in tears as I write this and trying to figure out how the 4 of us will survive the next 3½ weeks. I need some encouragement!

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

You had a close call! That is scary!!! It can happen with one dog or never happen with ten. Their dog is in a new place and apparently not very well trained- at least not to respond to your commands. These things do happen. It will settle down! I promise!

 

[Traz]

Good luck. I know it isn't funny with the street & all but I could picture it. I have learned to close our garage door before opening the back door because one of mine likes to fly out the door.
You can figure they are plotting now to see what else they can do. Mine like to team tag on stuff, one will get something & when I do after them the other grabs something else.

 

[ZeppGold]

Hang in there. They probably thought it was a great adventure. They seem like they get along and that is the biggest thing. It will get better.

 

[LuckyPup]

Hang in there. I am sure Skoker will settle down and Molson will remember all that training he was taught!

 

[Phoebe]

Hard to believe such cute dogs could cause such a ruckus! Not sure how your house is set up, but would baby gates help? Because I foster, I have a babygate that separates the familyroom from the front door and a babygate for the hallway that leads to the garage door. That way I can bring things into the house without fear of dogs darting out.

Now you know Skoker darts, I bet it doesn't happen again. By the time your parents have returned, two dogs will be routine and you will want another. It's amazing how quick dogs can train people.

 

[zephyr]

Oh no!!! That is SO scary : ( I have no real advice, but I just wanted to say that I'm sure you guys will do AWESOME... you had a scare BUT you made it through fine!

And, you know, sometimes these things happen for a good reason... You know, your heart stops and you freak out BUT-- you and everyone made it through-- and now you really know how sneaky & fast those guys are together, and I'm sure you won't forget any time soon (I know I won't just reading about it!!) So hey maybe your story even helps out someone else's and their doggy!!

Best of luck to you!! They sure are cute together such happy smiley faces!!

 

[esSJay]

Hard to believe such cute dogs could cause such a ruckus! Not sure how your house is set up, but would baby gates help? Because I foster, I have a babygate that separates the familyroom from the front door and a babygate for the hallway that leads to the garage door. That way I can bring things into the house without fear of dogs darting out.

Now you know Skoker darts, I bet it doesn't happen again. By the time your parents have returned, two dogs will be routine and you will want another. It's amazing how quick dogs can train people.

We could set up the baby gate to barracade them from the entrance, which is a good idea, but I don't think it will stop Molson as he has a tendency to jump over them. I'm not worried about him running away, he never does. Skoker is usually very calm and well behaved, I think he was just nervous and upset when my parents left and didn't take him with them

We will definitely be doing some door manners training with both of them tomorrow when they are on leash before their walk (another thing I have to figure out how to do!).

 

[fuzzbuzz]

As Jenna said, it will settle down. My two have to have time away from each other, not just for my sanity but also for them to rest. They don't stop!!

 

[DNL2448]

What a scary experience, but hey, it's water under the bridge now. Everyone will calm down and soon, your house will be at peace again. Good luck.

 

[BeauShel]

Dont worry it could happen to anyone. I bet at the end of the three weeks both of you will be on board with getting a second dog. It is amazing how they will calm down or play with each other so you can just relax.

 

[Bock]

I guess it's better than them not liking each other and fighting???

 

[AmberSunrise]

I think I would work on the door thing .. shutting the door in their face if they do not wait quietly for their release to cross the threshold and then (on leash) have them turn to face you for a reward once on the opposite side of the door. My foster Towhee picked this up in 2 or 3 sessions the first day and she had previously been an escape artist (her breeder also worked on this when she was returned from the original owners).

I do live on a busy street and take door manners very seriously ...

 

[Murphysmom]

Just remember, the first few days of ANYTHING are always the hardest. It gets easier everyday. Just be confident and in charge, and things will calm down. Good luck!!

 

[fostermom]

That sounds really scary!

You will learn how to get into the house without letting one of them out. It's just habit for me to drop my purse down to dog face level to block mine at the front door. Not that they are door darters any more. But I stay in the habit in case one of my fosters turns out to be a door darter.

 

[esSJay]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I'm sure it will get better over the next few days.

I was really hesitant this morning before leaving for work. Should I crate Molson or not? He has had free roam of the house for about 3 months now and he's a continuous crate barker when I do put him in there. Oh, and he knows how to escape it. I figured I would see how today goes with them both on the loose. Skoker doesn't get into anything, aside from TP and dirty kleenex. We closed all of the bathroom doors so he won't have access to that.

I played frisbee with them in the backyard for 40 minutes this morning trying to tire them out and I'm hoping that with the lack of sleep that the dogs, Jay and I got last night, that they will spend most of the day sleeping instead of playing bitey-face. I'm terrified one of them is going to lose an eye!

They both seem to share the same favourite toy - the squeaky 'Cuz'. Hopefully they will both share it!

 

[mm03gn]

Awwww Steph, that must have been so scary for you! I really hope it doesn't deter you from getting a second dog though! (Something tells me it won't )

I'm sure Skoker was just losing his $*#t because your parents left - he will fall into your routine soon enough! Does this mean that he will be at the next meet up with you guys??

 

[Blaireli]

How scary! The important thing is that you got them both back, safe and sound, and know that Skoker has a tendency to bolt. Once you know what to watch for, it's much easier to contain two pups. Don't get overwhelmed, you'll do just fine!

 

[esSJay]

Awwww Steph, that must have been so scary for you! I really hope it doesn't deter you from getting a second dog though! (Something tells me it won't )

I'm sure Skoker was just losing his $*#t because your parents left - he will fall into your routine soon enough! Does this mean that he will be at the next meet up with you guys??

The parents are scheduled to return on Dec 4th, but considering that they will have a ton of sleep to catch up on after a 14 hours time change and 22 hours of flying, I told them I would take Skoker home after the meet on the 6th!

 

[EvilNessCroft]

Wow.. That's scary. Just hang in there, I'm sure they'll settle down! Good luck!