Has this happened to you?? Max NEVER runs out the front door. NEVER.
So I'm standing at the front door, and I needed to get some groceries
out of the car. I (ok, stupidly) left the door ajar just a little bit,
and went outside. I came back in, put the groceries away, and went
into the den.

A few minutes later something hit me - like when you just KNOW
something is not right. I looked around, jumped out of my seat, and
realized that Max wasn't sitting at my feet!! I felt like those people
on television who leave their baby in the car by accident...because I
knew what happened. My crazy, happy, friendly, loving dog had sneaked
out right when I was leaning in the car for the groceries!!

I panicked just a little I will admit. He's a big dog, VERY friendly,
but his size tends to scare people. I went outside and called for him
- nothing. So I jumped in the car as I frantically called my wife on
the cell phone. I could only choose two directions - so I went left.

Two houses down, there was Max, at the front door of an elderly
neighbor I hadn't yet met. The poor woman had her door open, but also
had a screen door that was closed.

I said, "C'mon boy! Let's go for a ride!" as I opened the back door of
my car.

My neighbor came slowly walking out the front door.

She said, "I just looked up and thought, oh my, what a big dog!"

You can imagine, this poor woman sitting there as my German Shepherd
came to her door, ears up, just curious as ever about who could
possibly live there!!

We both had a laugh as she came to the window and Max licked her
face.

No - I didn't punish him. I know all too well that he needed praise
for getting into the car when I called him, and he wouldn't have the
slightest idea what I was saying if I scolded him for tricking me. (or
would he?! ha ha).

Anyone else have their dog get away from them??

- Wade

************************************************** ***

http://maxmydog.blogspot.com/
Max's Blog with pictures

You need to teach him that is only ok to exit the house on your command.
This will keep him from bolting out the door and possibly save his life
later on. This is one of the first things I teach my dogs.

Celeste

wrote in message
...
Has this happened to you?? Max NEVER runs out the front door. NEVER.
So I'm standing at the front door, and I needed to get some groceries
out of the car. I (ok, stupidly) left the door ajar just a little bit,
and went outside. I came back in, put the groceries away, and went
into the den.

A few minutes later something hit me - like when you just KNOW
something is not right. I looked around, jumped out of my seat, and
realized that Max wasn't sitting at my feet!! I felt like those people
on television who leave their baby in the car by accident...because I
knew what happened. My crazy, happy, friendly, loving dog had sneaked
out right when I was leaning in the car for the groceries!!

I panicked just a little I will admit. He's a big dog, VERY friendly,
but his size tends to scare people. I went outside and called for him
- nothing. So I jumped in the car as I frantically called my wife on
the cell phone. I could only choose two directions - so I went left.

Two houses down, there was Max, at the front door of an elderly
neighbor I hadn't yet met. The poor woman had her door open, but also
had a screen door that was closed.

I said, "C'mon boy! Let's go for a ride!" as I opened the back door of
my car.

My neighbor came slowly walking out the front door.

She said, "I just looked up and thought, oh my, what a big dog!"

You can imagine, this poor woman sitting there as my German Shepherd
came to her door, ears up, just curious as ever about who could
possibly live there!!

We both had a laugh as she came to the window and Max licked her
face.

No - I didn't punish him. I know all too well that he needed praise
for getting into the car when I called him, and he wouldn't have the
slightest idea what I was saying if I scolded him for tricking me. (or
would he?! ha ha).

Anyone else have their dog get away from them??

- Wade

************************************************** ***

http://maxmydog.blogspot.com/
Max's Blog with pictures