Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

you are a better person than me.. I would have kept the dog, filed a complaint against them for animal abuse.. i'm psycho like that..

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I have to say, it would be tough if I thought the dog was being mistreated. But on the other side, I have a Jack Russell, have had several since I was a kid. I think it takes a diffeent kind of owner to properly take care of one. They dig like crazy and do get out! even from the best owner's. When I was a kid, my dog dug a hole for like the thousandth time and got hit by a car. We had done everything we could do to keep her in the yard. I think I have Jack russell proofed my yard now. When we got her, she was getting out like crazy, so it cost me 4 grand to redo the fence but when they installed and they had trenched the line for the fence, I had them line bricks right under the dirt, we had tons of brick left from the patio. So everytime she digs, she hits bricks and stops. The fence guys thought I was crazy, but it works and I got rid of the bricks! She still tries constantly to get out, its in their nature to burrow and dig, so don't fault the owner necessarily, maybe they just don't know what to do.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Posted by Sweetwine29

Posted by DeniseMarie

My neighbors jack russell used to come here all the time. (They dont have a closed gate in their yard, there is a section that is not fenced) I always brought her back and the last time I said "arent you worried she is going to get hit by a car?" She didnt say anything. They finally closed in the whole yard after their other dog attacked mine when I was out walking.

I guess this breed has a tendency to run away?!?! Or do they just attract bad owners??

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Posted by DaniRella

Posted by Sweetwine29

Posted by DeniseMarie

My neighbors jack russell used to come here all the time. (They dont have a closed gate in their yard, there is a section that is not fenced) I always brought her back and the last time I said "arent you worried she is going to get hit by a car?" She didnt say anything. They finally closed in the whole yard after their other dog attacked mine when I was out walking.

I guess this breed has a tendency to run away?!?! Or do they just attract bad owners??

The breed is high-energy. They can get high strung if they are not excersized properly -- they need to be walked at least 2x a day, they need to have play time, and interact with the owner. A lot of behaviors like digging, running away, etc. are responses to not being challenged, played with, and active enough.

The owners are clearly neglecting him and for him to dig himself out like that - he must have been left alone in the yard for hours. That is why he's so bored and it is causing this behavior.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I think you handled it well, if it happens again I would bring it to the shelter.

I've found dogs before and dropped them off at the shelter to give their owners a chance to find them. The first thing the shelter asks is if I want to be put down 1st on the list to adopt the dog if the owners don't claim it (they usually hold the dog 3 days to allow the owner time to come claim it).

If I say "no... I'd like to give another family the chance to adopt the dog" the shelter always asks if I want to be called if they decide to euthanize the dog. They give you a number they assign to the dog and you can call to check if it's been adopted or picked up by the owners.

Thank god the dogs I have dropped off found good homes (I would always call to check up on them), but if they had called me saying the dog was gonna be put down, I would have adopted it.

Shelters don't want to kill dogs for no reason, if you tell them you want the dog then they will call you. You don't have to be afraid of what's gonna happen to the dog if you drop it off at the shelter

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I would return it, but tell them if there is another instance that you will call the shelter first and they can pick it from there.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I just want to thank everyone for all of your wonderful support and advice! I really feel like we made the right decision after reading what all of you wrote and your answers to the poll. You were all really helpful, and unfortunately when I have to post about this again, I'll be looking for more of the same support!