Billy got run over!

[Billysmum]

Poor Billy got run over last night. Thankfully he is ok. Just shows that the recall command is SO important. Billy was on the far side of a field and saw a retriever in the distance. he just ran. And my husband shouted and shouted but billy ignored him. Straight over a main road and a car hit him. He fell, got up, ran to the dog and then ran in a panic back across the road. then he changed his mind and ran over the road again and ran home. We got him straight to the vet and it seems the car hit his back end and he is very stiff in his back legs, but ok otherwise. It could have been a different story if the car had hit his head or main body.
The car has a smashed bumper but the driver was really nice and only concerned for Billy's welfare. Also the owner of the retriever has been to see how billy is.

We have to go back to the vet tomorrow for another check-up.

Everyone practice recall!

 

[Aimee]

Oh my gosh I am so glad that he is okay...We send lots of love for a speedy recovery. I too believe recall is so important. Mine listen well but in a stressful situation I often wonder if they would respond...Please let us know how he is recovering!

 

[tlwhitman]

Oh, how frightening! I'm glad that Billy is just sore and hope for a super speedy recovery. We lost a wonderful dog several years ago when she was hit by a car (darted out of the house and ran straight into the street). It's a hard lesson to learn about their safety. Our best wishes to Billy! Extra hugs!

 

[GillianF]

That must have been soooo scary, Helen. That has been my biggest fear with Ttakas - when he has escaped on us he just runs and runs, regardless of direction and I'm afraid he will get hit one day. His last escape was into a field at the end of our street where the farmer had her cows grazing. My husband and son went off in hot pursuit, only to find Ttakas running towards them with the herd of cows chasing him!!!! He ignores us completely when he gets out and the word 'COME' means nothing to him in that situation. We can't even try running in the opposite direction (as many people have suggested) because he's not looking at us in the first place. We are very careful now when the doors are opened, although he appears to have calmed down now and not as eager to make an escape - but he's not fooling us by any means - I'm sure he'd take off, given the opportunity.
Hope Billy has completely recovered from his meeting with the car - hopefully he's learned a lesson - but knowing Boxers ........

 

[Julie Davis]

How horrifying for you! Having to watch, and there was nothing you could do about it. I'm so HAPPY that Billy is all right. Boomer sends a Boxer good well wish his way.

 

[Brenda]

Oh, Helen! How horrifying! :eek: I'm so happy that Billy was only slightly injured and that he's on the road to recovery. Please keep us posted on how he's doing. He will be in our thoughts and prayers.

lovicon

 

[Boxer Crazy]

I'm so glad that Billy is alright. He must have looking out for him.
It must have been very upsetting for you. Hope he is feeling better soon.

 

[Al's Pal]

That must have been so scarey - I'm glad Billy is alright. You're right, the recall (or wait, sit or down) is sooo important, but we really have to create these stressful situations to test them in. I was never really sure what Ali would do, because when she was still quite young she did a runner on me once from down the paddock to follow the neighbours dogs (luckily on a very quiet road), so I was very pleasantly surprised when she chased the neighbours cat a few days (at the neighbours house - how embarrasing!!) and stopped instantly and came back when I called her - was it a fluke??!!! Anyway, I'm really happy for you that Billy's ok.

 

[Lisa M]

I'm so sorry to hear about your ordeal but happy to hear that Billy is ok. I hope he will recover quickly and Casper and Sumi send slobbers and hugs!

One thing I trained Sumi to do relates to this, I knew she wouldn't run into the street on her own but that she would follow another dog into the street. I was so worried because it seems to be the dog that runs in front of the car is OK, but the dog behind the front dog gets hurt. (What is it about the dog that they never run behind a car?)

Anyway, I practiced her sit so well that even if she is in a full run and I say "sit" she will stop and sit right there, at that point I can tell her to stay or I can call her back to me. This is great because if she gets across the street and is running toward me but a car is between us, I can keep her safe. Now for the months of training Casper has ahead of him to be the same ...

One thing with "Come" training is, I see so many people whose dog will come to them under normal circumstances but in a busy or distracting area the dogs just don't "hear". It is so important to never tell your dog to come to you unless it has a leash on so that you can make it come if it doesn't want to. At the dog park I see people training their pets great and the dog is coming nicely until all the other dogs arrive and they are in full play mode then the owner starts saying "come" and the dog is just running all over the place, so they are effectivly teaching a dog that knows what come means that it doesn't really have to listen to that word if it doens't feel like it. So please only use your recall command when you have control of the dog until you have trained to a point where you and the dog are certain that come will get the dog to return to you.

OK sorry that was so long and off my original point, but I thought it might be helpful to those who will be inspired to work on recall soon as a result of your accident.

 

[Elsa]

Glad to hear Billy is doing better; Ruby sends a big Boxer paw to hug him and a snort-kiss.