Dog Community

Tojo's dogrun days are over

Posted : 9/28/2006 2:36:42 AM

I took Tojo to the dog run yesterday (which I do at least 2-3 times a week) and he got LOST!! I just realized all of a sudden that I didn't know where he was, and I called for him and searched (the dog run I was at is really hilly and huge) but I could not find him. He was lost a total of five hours, in which time I had to leave to drive my sister somewhere, and I came back and posted a sign and then went to the pound, just in case, and someone finally called and said they had found him. I was literally running around that dog run (up steep hills and everything - I was soo tired after!) for hours and I was crying whenever no one was looking! Now I don't think I can ever take him to the dog run again, even though we both really really enjoy it. Like I said, I go all the time and it's something I'm seriously going to miss. I'm so bummed! There are three dog runs in this city, and none of them are fenced, just really big and out of town, so there's not really a danger of him getting hit by a car, but stil, he could get lost and there are coyotes and rattlesnakes and the like.

tina robinson

Posted : 9/28/2006 3:21:19 AM

Yep it is best to leave the little bugs on leashes. I have to still and my Shibas are 11 and 9 years old, but if they see something no amount of calling will get them back, alone or together, still gone.

Firestorm

Posted : 9/28/2006 5:53:39 AM

Why cant you do the dog run on a leash or on a really long leash? I have a lungeline for my horse that I used to use so my Rott could go and run.

Xerxes

Posted : 9/28/2006 7:16:10 AM

I'm glad you finally got him back. I had the same type of experience at an unfenced dog run. We didn't go back because there are other options that have fences.

I was going to say that you could go to your local hardware and buy 50 or even 100ft section of thin nylon rope, put snaps on either end and he'll still be able to run and you'll still be able to find him.

Terri

Posted : 9/28/2006 9:24:42 AM

Our dog park is fenced, but it's 19 acres. One day I lost Loki for about 30 minutes. I searched all over that dumb park and he was hiding out with some dogs in one of the corners. Those little guys sure know how to scare us!

Anyway, I agree that a long line would be the way to go. I've got a 20, 50 and 100 foot nylon lead that I can use if we need to be out somewhere, but I don't want them off leash. That way he'd still have some freedom, but he couldn't run off.

pofi_pasquale

Posted : 9/28/2006 9:38:20 AM

What an ordeal, Heidi! I'm so thrilled he was found safe and sound.

Maybe when you've recovered from the stress a bit you can try the long leads others are suggesting. I'm lucky enough to live in an area with fenced dog parks and to have a pretty velcro dog - Pofi doesn't really like to be much out of sight of me and Mia doesn't like to be out of sight of Pofi!!!

mudpuppy

Posted : 9/28/2006 9:40:52 AM

have you thought about training him to come to a whistle? dogs can hear whistles for miles, and tend to be quite easy to train to come to one.

labcrab

Posted : 9/28/2006 9:51:59 AM

have you thought about training him to come to a whistle? dogs can hear whistles for miles, and tend to be quite easy to train to come to one.

I've trained Slick to come to a whistle just because I wanted some sort of a back up plan in the event he can't hear me. I bought a hunting whistle and started blowing it right when he begins his return on a retrieve. I had only been using it for a few weeks and we went on a beach vacation. I was up at the house and Slick was down on the beach with the kids and I decided to test the whistle (he would NOT have been able to hear my voice). Worked like a charm!!!!

simcoe

Posted : 9/28/2006 12:01:36 PM

Every time I think I might be ready to try unleashing Toby I read a post like this and it scares the dickens out of me! [sm=eek.gif]

rolenta

Posted : 9/28/2006 1:03:49 PM

I think the longleash is a good idea. I mean, it's kind of a shame... he is usually so good! Even if he sees a rabbit or a bird, he usually just it for a bit and then gives up. In fact, I'm wondering if he didn't just get lost because it wasn't flat like the other dog runs that I usually go to... but, who wants to take thc chance, right? Plus, my husband said it traumatized him so much that he doesn't think he could go through that again.

I think I might try that whistle thing. Even if I don't take him offleash, it can't hurt to have him know that, right? So what kind of whistle is it, like a dog whistle or just a normal whistle?

mudpuppy

Posted : 9/28/2006 1:10:16 PM

you can use any whistle. Look at some hunting dog supply stores and see the fancy long-range whistles they sell, some designed to really carry over long distances. Most dogs who "get lost" in big parks are probably actually lost, and have no idea where you are either. Blow your whistle and bingo, they can find you.

Terri

Posted : 9/28/2006 1:12:42 PM

Whistles are a great idea. I hadn't thought of that. I actually bought a little device called "C'mere" on cleanrun.com. It makes a high pitched noise and you train them to come to that. Same idea I guess. I haven't tried training my boys with it yet, but I'm hoping that it will make dog park an easier experience for us.

rolenta

Posted : 9/28/2006 1:21:41 PM

Do you think perhaps that he actually was lost and maybe I shouldn't give up on the offleash thing? I sort of wonder if he was. It's a really easy place to get lost. In fact, I got lost while I was looking for him. I know the reputation shibas have, and I was totally prepared to deal with it when I bought him, but he really doesn't chase after other animals and his recall is pretty darn good. The only time I can't get him to come is when he's pooping! (understandably).

leslie__chessies

Posted : 9/28/2006 2:50:49 PM

So glad you had a happy ending!
How about a dog GPS system? [linkhttp://www.pointersolutions.com/eng/hunting_dog_gps.htm]http://www.pointersolutions.com/eng/hunting_dog_gps.htm[/link]

jennie_c_d

Posted : 9/28/2006 6:39:24 PM

FWIW, nylon rope will rip your hands to shreds. Hemp or cotton rope is much, much better, if you ever have to grab it.