I almost lost Koko this morning.
Every morning for the last few years we have a morning ritual that involves Koko going out to do her business. I usually stand or sit on the porch while she goes to a wooded section, clearly in sight. After she finishes she comes running back to the porch for her treat.(rawhide). This morning she heads out one of our walking trails that used to make 1/4 mile loop on the east end of my land. A couple of years ago I gave a new neighbor an easement road that goes back on 25 acres where two houses were built. This easement also goes to a county road. When I saw her take off I immediately grabbed my leash and went down the trail after her. Just as I got to the easement road I saw her standing in the middle of the county road, just as the driver of a car, hit the horn, and swerved to not hit Koko. If there had been a car in the other direction the driver would have hit her. Knowing she was wrong, when she saw me, she started going farther down the road. I stopped and said "Go Home" as forcefully as I could. She immediately dropped her tail, between her legs, and headed back home by way of the trail. After scolding her as harshly as I could I went in without giving her the usual treat.
I will be working in my yard later today And I told her she would have to stay on the porch or on leash. I hope being exiled all day will have an impact on her. I will also try to ignore her as much as possible. This punishment usually has the greatest impact on getting her attention.
What would you do? I think seeing her almost hit by a car, scared and upset me more than I can remember,ever. I just couldn't bear losing my Koko.:(