The most stressful moment of my life..

[*Amy*]

So here's what happened.. I was taking the dogs outside one at a time. I took Vixen out and then put her inside and got Carlie. On our way out the door, Vixen ran out. So, I quickly put Carlie back inside and ran back out the door to get Vixen. It took my about 20 minutes to get her back in. She wouldn't come near me for so long. I kept trying to hoax her to me with an acorn or a little stick, but every time she'd come near and I'd reach my hand out, she'd BOLT! She ran out in front of a truck in the parking lot and I ran out in front of it to get the driver to stop (luckily he did). She could've ran out the apartment gate and ran into this busy road that is right out from our apartment complex. At one point she stopped to take a pee so I was thinking, "perfect, I'll grab her now!" but as soon as I stepped near her she ran again. I finally got her near our apartment building and decided maybe if I walk towards the door she'll come. Well, she didn't, but I ran in, got a treat, yelled for Mike (my boyfriend who was sick in bed to come help), and ran back out. She finally came near enough to us because of the treat and I grabbed her collar and took her inside. I started hysterically crying. I had felt like I was never going to get her back inside and I just let it all out.. I thought she'd get run over by someone in the parking lot or run out of the gate and get run over on the big road.

I'm so stressed out over this. I don't know what to do. Is this fixable? Any ideas why she would act like this? Carlie has gotten out before, but came right back to us. I feel like Vixie doesn't like us or just wants to be free. Is it because she's a herding dog and needs space to run? I feel like an apartment isn't the right place for her. Would it be horrible of me to take her back to the rescue and be like, "look, I really love Vixie, but she needs a place with a fenced-in yard where she can run and play?" I feel like that would be the right thing to do because she'd be happier at a place where she can run around. I really like her, but this is just too much for me to handle. I don't think she's happy here.

 

[houndlove]

Congratulations, Vixen is a normal dog who has never been trained on a reliable recall. It's not that she doesn't like you, it's not necessarily that she's not getting enough exercise. A recall is something that 9 out of 10 dogs need to be specifically trained on, though you do get your odd dog who is so attentive and velcro they'd never dream of leaving your side. It depends on the individual dog, though various breeds have various tendencies towards being easy or difficult to recall.

That little game she was playing with you, coming close but not close enough to get caught? That's a very popular game called "Can't catch me!" and dogs play it with one another all the time. It's enormous fun, and Vixen didn't know that actually she was in great danger by doing that. She was having a run around and playing some games and exploring. It doesn't mean she doesn't love you, it just means that you were not as interesting as the other things in her immediate environment.

If you feel after you've calmed down a bit (I've had one or two escapes over the years and yes, heart attack does not even begin to describe it, so I know how you're feeling) that you want to make a go of it with Vixen, get your hands on this DVD: Really Reliable Recall.

 

[RD]

No Amy, it's not because she's a herding breed or because she doesn't like you. She's a young, untrained dog that needs to learn a proper recall.

Don't give up on her, just get her in a good obedience class!

 

[showpug]

^^^ Agree with the others. I would expect that behavior from any dog not trained to recall. Luckily, it is very fixable if you put the time in.

 

[Toller_08]

(((hugs))). I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I completely agree with everyone else though. It has nothing to do with her not liking you, being a herding breed, etc. She probably just has a very poor recall, which needs to be worked on.

 

[PWCorgi]

First, stop stressing! Second, (((HUGS))) it can be really scary when dogs get out!

How much exercise is she getting?
If you don't have a fenced yard find an open area and put her on a 30ft long lead, that's what I had to do with Frodo for a while until he had a reliable recall. Also, you can't just tire out her body, she's a corgi, work her brain
Frodo used to bolt through the door, it is fixable!!
If Frodo feels he hasn't had enough exercise for his liking, that is when he will try it, or if there is a cat taunting him. We have the problem 95% fixed.

What I did was to make him sit every time the door is opened, EVERY SINGLE TIME! When the door was closed and his butt was still on the floor...yay, party! Hugs and kisses and treats for Frodo! At first it could just be opening the door a crack and shutting it again if she is extremely door happy.
When heading out for walks Frodo is told to sit, I walk through the door, and when I am darn good and ready he is released to come through the door as well. His reward is getting to go for a walk.
Another thing, make sure she has a solid recall so that if she does get out again, you can recall her right away!

And no, corgis do not need a fenced in yard, I live in an apartment and my guys are doing just fine (no matter what they may tell people)

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will be along with better help soon.

 

[*Amy*]

Congratulations, Vixen is a normal dog who has never been trained on a reliable recall. It's not that she doesn't like you, it's not necessarily that she's not getting enough exercise. A recall is something that 9 out of 10 dogs need to be specifically trained on, though you do get your odd dog who is so attentive and velcro they'd never dream of leaving your side. It depends on the individual dog, though various breeds have various tendencies towards being easy or difficult to recall.

That little game she was playing with you, coming close but not close enough to get caught? That's a very popular game called "Can't catch me!" and dogs play it with one another all the time. It's enormous fun, and Vixen didn't know that actually she was in great danger by doing that. She was having a run around and playing some games and exploring. It doesn't mean she doesn't love you, it just means that you were not as interesting as the other things in her immediate environment.

If you feel after you've calmed down a bit (I've had one or two escapes over the years and yes, heart attack does not even begin to describe it, so I know how you're feeling) that you want to make a go of it with Vixen, get your hands on this DVD: Really Reliable Recall.

Thanks for the advice. How hard is it to teach a recall? She also barks over every single noise she hears (and there are tons of noises because we live in an apartment). How can I break her of that?

No Amy, it's not because she's a herding breed or because she doesn't like you. She's a young, untrained dog that needs to learn a proper recall.

Don't give up on her, just get her in a good obedience class!

I signed her up for a beginner training class today, but I'm not sure they teach recalls. I don't want to give up on her, but I feel like this isn't the right place for her.

 

[*Amy*]

Thanks everyone. PWCorgi, it is good to hear that someone else is living in an apartment with a Corgi. That gives me hope!

I feel really weak for wanting to give up on her so soon. I think it's just that I'm stressed out over what just happened, over her and Carlie not getting along all so well, and over her barking constantly. All that being said, I'm going to take her to her classes starting January 19th and try to begin teaching her a recall even before that.

 

[jess2416]

Its the puppy blues... We've all had them.. but it will get better...

 

[showpug]

Remember, rescue dogs usually come with issues because they generally aren't given the best start or any training. With that said, I think actually putting the time in and training one would be a very rewarding experience.

Your obedience class will most likely teach recalls, it's a very basic command and fairly easy to teach. It does take a lot of repetition and practice, however.

Good luck with everything!

 

[*Amy*]

Thanks, Jess. That is how I feel. I feel like, "Why did I do this? What did I get myself into?" but that's how I felt after I got Carlie, too. Now I'd never think of giving up Carlie.

 

[*Amy*]

Thanks, showpug. Vixen is potty trained very well! I wish her past owners would've trained her a recall, as well. I feel like it's going to be really difficult to teach her considering she runs away from me even when we're in the apartment, but I hope we can do it.

 

[showpug]

Thanks, showpug. Vixen is potty trained very well! I wish her past owners would've trained her a recall, as well. I feel like it's going to be really difficult to teach her considering she runs away from me even when we're in the apartment, but I hope we can do it.

A dog running from you even in your apartment is very normal too! It's a fun game for dogs and very normal. Please don't feel too overwhelmed by this. I think Carlie has spoiled you. She's really the exception...most dogs truly are like Vixen!!!

 

[PWCorgi]

and over her barking constantly

Welcome to the world of corgis

 

[Zoom]

Something you might try is turning the tables around on her...when she runs away from you in the apartment, squeal and run the other way. Most dogs will then try and catch you...give her half a hot dog each time she does! Or something super special anyway.

I feel your pain though...I've been working with Molly for MONTHS and we're just now getting the idea of how to walk without gagging through her head. Recall is a non-existant word in her vocab right now, though she did a little better than expected out at the park the other day---she stayed on a long line and every so often I'd call/reel her in and we'd have a little party, then she could go back to obsessing over birds.

Practice makes perfect! Especially with recall! Do a search for Dr2Little's recall exercises, they're great.

 

[*Amy*]

A dog running from you even in your apartment is very normal too! It's a fun game for dogs and very normal. Please don't feel too overwhelmed by this. I think Carlie has spoiled you. She's really the exception...most dogs truly are like Vixen!!!

Okay, thank you. I feel better about everything now that I know it's a normal problem that just needs to be fixed.

Welcome to the world of corgis

Oh, no...lol. Has anyone complained about yours barking?

 

[*Amy*]

Thanks, Zoom for the good advice. I'm going to try running away from her when she runs the opposite direction in the apartment and hopefully that'll help. What if I don't have a treat in my hand right after she runs after me, though? Would it be too late for me to go get one and then hand it to her? Just like your Molly, Vixie pulls really hard on her leash, as well. That is another thing I want to break her of.

 

[PWCorgi]

Oh, no...lol. Has anyone complained about yours barking?

Not outright. Our one neighbor that we don't know well at all made a comment about his mother moving in and said something like "She brought her little dog with her, it barks all the time, even more than your dogs." I was sooo embarrased.

That night we started working on the "quiet" command, we all know it quite well now...thank god! :lol-sign:

 

[*Amy*]

Not outright. Our one neighbor that we don't know well at all made a comment about his mother moving in and said something like "She brought her little dog with her, it barks all the time, even more than your dogs." I was sooo embarrased.

That night we started working on the "quiet" command, we all know it quite well now...thank god! :lol-sign:

lol, yeah, I really don't want to be known as the "girl with the loud dogs." I've been trying to teach them a "quiet" command, but I don't think it's going all that well yet.

 

[Lizmo]

((((Hugs))) That IS very scary. Dont give up on her so soon, Amy! She's young, just entered a new home, doesn't know you, your BF, or Carlie very well.

I agree with Zoom, search for search for Dr2Little's recall exercises, great stuff.

Where are you going for training classes?