I can well relate to that! M'dog Ralph was an escape artist extraordinaire, and he would leap the fence right under my nose! He was a canine helicopter, if you will. I was aware of his history when I adopted him. However, I, in my smugness, figured he would not behave this way under my tutelage. Hah on me!
When I was home, Ralph was in the house with me. When I went to work, I would put him out in my securely fenced, spacious back yard. I would come home from work in the morning, and there would be Ralph to greet me effusively and welcome me home. Perfect, no?
Well, as time went on, various neighbors reported sighting a big, friendly, white, shaggy face peering in their windows while they were sipping their morning coffee. Apparently, after I left for work, Ralph would begin his nightly escapades but be dutifully waiting in his own back yard to greet me upon my return home, as though he had been there all night.
Long story short, Ralph quickly became a house dog and was a perfect canine gentlemen in that respect for all of his days.
When Laszlo (another incorrigible canine derelict) came to live with us, Ralph quickly taught Laszlo to leap the fence. Laszlo? He wanted no part of that silliness. Laszlo would simply reach up with his paw or nose and unlatch the gate!
Ah, the joys of living with creatures who are smarter . . . |
