Almost Lost Gabe This Morning-Long Sorry

[Blackboy98]

I live in a subdivision along with many deer. They are an excessive problem not only in terms of eating plants, but now they are attacking people and the Dept. of Conservation and police will do NOTHING to help except fine you if you hurt one.. About sun up Gabe likes to lay at the basement sliding glass doors and bark at them. He has an excessively high prey instinct being labx. Don't know what the 'x' is but sure not lab. This morning there were 6 fawns(I guess they are starting to separate from mamas). I went down the basement to yell at them with the door only open about 3"" and Gabe stuck his nose in and pushed the door open enough to get out(my fault for not holding the door tight enough). When he is inside, he is naked (no collar) and he was gone in about 1 second along with the herd of fawns. I know where their trail is so took after him and within about 30 seconds could here him yapping about 1/4 mile away.

Knowing I could never keep up with him(bad kip and ankle-and old), went back home got in my car and started the search calling him. After about 35 minutes(seemed hours) I decided to go home and call the police to report it, then go out again. When I turned the last corner on my street, I saw a little black lab panting like crazy watch me standing in my driveway. What a wonderful dog. My heart stopped for a moment while I said a thank you prayer. I stopped in the street and Gabe came over to my car immediately and I got out hugged him and praised him.

I told him to get in the car and we would go bye-bye-his favorite thing. So drive around the loop and then back in to the garage.
Let him out and praised him again for coming home. I'm still shaking a little.

I believe praise is very important in a situation as this as if you reprimand, he may think not to come home if there is a next time(hope not). I will put a physical stop on the door so it can not open far enough.

Sorry this was so long and detailed and big paragraphs, but I just had to tell 'people who get it'.
Thank you for letting me vent my emotions. I deserve this

My Gabe and Mike

[Scoutpout]

ooooh how heart-dropping! so glad it worked out well for you and Gabe.

[Berna]

What a scare! I know very well how you felt for those 30 minutes. Good boy Gabe for coming home. And NEVER do that again!

[SunDance]

Oh, thank goodness, Mike...definitely scary. So glad things worked out the way they did. What a good boy you've got there.

[BaconsMom]

I couldn't even fathom the fear. Glad Gabe is home safe.

Gabe, this is Bacon here. My mommy has taught me that its ok to chase the animals as long as I come right away when I am called, then I get a treat. If I run too far then Mommy cries. I don't like it when she cries. Maybe try staying close-there may be treats!

[Annette47]

So glad he made it home safe and sorry for your understandable fright!

[POPTOP]

So glad all turned out OK. Know the heart dropping feeling when Potion got out the gate which had blown open and was just across the street. My first reaction was to call him but it is a very busy street so I trotted out to get him in bathrobe and slippers. He too was naked; thank goodness he had a good heel.

Some wildlife gets so accustomed to humans around they venture closer and closer. Deer can be very dangerous especially moms with fawns. Archie has an excellent recall EXCEPT if there is a squirrel around. Been trying to work on that but the prey drive is so ingrained.

Like that you praised Gabe. In his mind he did no wrong and he would not know why you would be reprimanding him. A little bit of "honey" gathers a lot more dogs then punishment.

[smartrock]

Oh, we get it alright! What a heart stopping story! I am so glad to know he shooed those pesky deer away and then returned home to receive his just reward.

We lived in Wildwood for a few years and the deer were everywhere. Thank goodness our bullmastiff didn't really care about moving that fast for deer, or much else. My husband was nearly killed when a deer ran across 64/40 and went through his windshield. I no longer view them as cute little Bambi's.

Gabe, you did such a good job, just DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!!!

[Blackboy98]

I couldn't even fathom the fear. Glad Gabe is home safe.

Gabe, this is Bacon here. My mommy has taught me that its ok to chase the animals as long as I come right away when I am called, then I get a treat. If I run too far then Mommy cries. I don't like it when she cries. Maybe try staying close-there may be treats!

Gabe here Bacon-OOOO your name sounds so good. I could not help myself. These darn instincts taken over and it's like some else is in my body. We do train on your walks to come home. Mike keeps saying
'Go home Gabe' as we walk toward home and then he praises me. I think he really loves me and does not want me to run away but these deer get me so excited.

[Snowshoe]

Where'd your heart go, down to your stomach or up to your throat? Hope it's back where it should be. Good boy, Gabe, for going back home.