That Darn Cat or...

[Teresa]

Why Schatzi Needs a Handle! Last night, after entering my last post on here, I went to get Schatzi in from her last trip outside. Well, Lola, the kitty who has temporarily adopted us (because she really does need to be an indoor kitty) was outside. Schatzi spotted her and wanted no part of coming inside. This was at 1 a.m. To get her in, I have to go off the porch and through the gate. That is the only downfall to the way we had to do their ramp. It isn't easy for me to get to the dogs. I can't just go off the porch into the yard. Of course, the kitty has now decided to taunt Schatzi. That would be funny if it weren't the middle of the night. Schatzi is right at the gate. Knowing this, I start opening it, while crouching down and grabbing the nape of Schatzi's neck. That stinker still managed to squirm her way out of my hand before I could finish picking her up. Then the chase was one. Middle of the night. The yard next door. Around and around the deck there (where the kitty like to hang out when the dogs are outside). In a moment of humor, Lola, the kitty comes up to me and rubs against my legs while Schatzi is still going around and around the deck sniffing. I think I will pick her up and get Schatzi in my direction. Lola was too fast for me and jumps down and then goes across the street. The chase is off again. The humor in all of this, even while happening is Schatzi's "yip, yip, yip" while chasing. She was having a blast! Across the street is a small wooded area and I just knew I was in trouble, especially with no shoes on. I think the kitty must have gone up a tree or something since Schatzi takes off back across the road. I call Meghan and wake her up to help me corral the escapee. Finally, I get her and we come inside. I'm now able to laugh a little, but have got to find a way to keep this from happening again. I think I'm going to make sure she has her collar on from now on. At least I'll have something to hold on to!

Schatzi here: Mom just doesn't realize it was the cat's fault-she was the one staring at me from under the car. She wanted to play. She was bored and lonely. I just thought I would help her get some exercise! I helped mom get some exercise, too. Nothing wrong with that!

[Marcia from MI]

Eddie  took off a couple of times, once on New Years Day after it had snowed, but it did not deter him one bit.  It took only an hour of "Eddie come here, Eddie come here now" and my favorite "Eddie want a cookie?"  Then there was the time a squirrel taunted him to the point Eddie was madder than H--- and wasn't going to take it anymore.  The squirrel lead him on a merry chase from one tree on the block to another while mom followed him in the car with Sam angel riding shot gun in the front seat.  This time it didn't take long but oh my nerves.

One more cute story after I had gotten Eddie Sully Angel and him became really good buddies and would stick together.  Well one day I came home from work and let the dogs out then realized I gad forgotten to close the gate.  Both dogs had just finished crossing the street and were on my neighbors lawn when I yelled "FOOD" amazingly enough both turned around and came home no questions asked.

[papbouv]

Long line and some High Value treats Chicken,Liver,Roast Beef work on come or here until they come everytime or keep a long line on when they go out so you can step on the line when they go by. Since all dogs think when you chase them that is a Game I never play into the game.One time my Bouvier's were loose in one corner of the Fairgrounds fenced on three sides of course the forth side was the road yep they headed for the road. I screamed the oldest Bouvier's name and laid down on the ground I almost was run over them getting back to me they thought something happened to the food dispenser me. Of course you cannot do that last bit very often or they would think oh that s Mom just taking a nap. Doxie's being hunting dogs they really are into the chase so it makes it more difficult.

[Teresa]

I've heard the idea about having them chase you instead of you chasing them. In Schatzi's case last night, she was so focused on the cat, she seemed to have no idea I was there. I could have had her favorite food and she would have ignored me then. Most of the time she is great about letting me get her. I now know that when a cat is involved it is another story altogether!

[Doxherding Karen]

That was my Cooper Angel, a border collie/lab mix who we chased for 90 minutes once in the state park in Ohio, unti Adina, my daughter started waving her sweatshirt at him and running AWAY.  He chased her, grabbed the sweatshirt and when he was just within reach, Adina turned and jumped him!  We all piled on and he finally stopped squirming, one happy, panting pupper.

Rest in peace, Coopy-Boy. 

Karen

[Roberta]

   did you think to take photos enquiring minds want to know........................
Angel Angus took off after rabbits at my mums years ago and ran about a blocks with me running after him through long grass and farm fencing, so he had to leap all the way, the rabbit got away and I made him walk all the way back and he was one tired pup.
Roberta

Oliver says go Schatzi go, and darn it now you'll have to learn how to slip the collar............

[papbouv]

Depending on how busy the road is that she crossed and since the cat is in the area the long line might be a good idea every time she goes out don't want her hit by a car that would be terrible.Someone on the Doberman forum just lost a 5 year old Red Dobe was hit by a car and died just read it today so sad.
Papbouv

[Teresa]

I'm thinking about working with the long line some. Randy says he has never had a problem with her. Of course, I'm the one who lets her out early in the morning or late at night which is when the cat feels safe enough (and it is cool enough) to be around. Now that she has the doggie door, we are having to make sure she has no escape routes at all! She keeps finding places in the fence to slip under and I keep finding fence anchors to put in them. I really want to find a home for the kitty so she can be inside where she wants to be. No luck so far, but I'm still working on it.