Friend Endangered My Dogs

[VTbxrFan]

Try to calm yourself down before the discussion, but the be clear and firm about the importance of not leaving them alone. Fortunately the dogs are ok, and I would think that once he hears what actually happened, your friend will recognize the importance of your rule that the dogs not be left alone outside and won't make the same mistake again. Don't ruin a friendship over it...just explain what happened and reinforce the importance of the "rules" you have established.

 

[Kim Y]

First of all HELLO to a fellow Western Michigander!

I can understand completely your frustration and concern. Before our Oscar, we were blessed with our beloved Golden Retriever, Teela---a very different dog than a Boxer. She never left the yard and did not have the activity level that Oscar has. I guess my point is that perhaps he didn't realize how active/nosey/curious/busy Boxers are. :D

I hope you and your friends can work this issue out quickly and painlessly.

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

What about putting up a big sign on the door where it can't be missed?
DO NOT LET DOGS OUT WITHOUT SUPERVISION or (CONSTANT SUPERVISION) or (WITHOUT A HUMAN OUT THERE WITH THEM, WATCHING)

Even if you talk to him, the sign will remind him next time.

 

[Dutchvrouw]

When he came home, I told our friend that the the yard is now a prison yard, complete with guards. I explained how they dogs escaped this morning and then I talked directly to the dogs. "You guys will NEVER be allowed outside without a prison guard. You could have been killed. You can NOT leave the yard and I can NOT trust you to stay put." Then I looked at our friend and said, "We can't trust these hooligans. If we can't stay with them, they have to come back in. We simply can NEVER leave them outside without us." He unquestionably got the message. He was clearly embarassed but we didn't dwell on the past -- just firmly established the future. I'm positive he got the message loud and clear. I'm still nervous about his lapse of judgment but, as you guys reminded me, nothing bad happened this morning. My precious pups are safe. No need to worry about things that never happened. Just make sure they can't happen.

 

[AZ Boxer Boys]

Sounds like you did a good job getting your point across without getting angry at him. He should understand now how serious you are about it.
Cindy

 

[Halle's Mom]

That was such a cool way to handle it, by "blaming" the dogs instead of directly laying it on him. Good for you!appicon

~Christina