Hi. I am new here and just wanted to talk a bit about my dog. I had been given a Jack Russell terrier, september of last year by some friends. He was a very energetic puppy and didn't know what I was in for.

I named him Napoleon after the one from History because he tried to be so dominant and conquer my house. He was very, very smart. I didn't really understand dog training or obiedience at the time. I ignored those things because of ignorance and it cost him his life.

He had a bad habit of darting out the door of the house if not watched closely. And so one day in October of this year at the busiest time of the day at 5:00pm he got out of the house. The more I called the more he ignored me and the farther he would run.

After 15 minutes he came running back up on the otherside of my street. He wasn't in the street but on the side. I was within 10 feet of him when a Van struck him on his backside. He didn't make a sound, not a whimper, a cry. The Van kept going and never stopped. Some people did and they were worried, but I could see after picking him up he wasn't going to live. He just dangled in my arms, but he was still alive, even though he didn't respond.

By the time I got to my porch he slumped over. It really devistated me at the time because I was so close to him. I blamed myself for his death and in alot of ways it is my fault for not training him and learning him obiedience.

But not long after I recieved a new puppy. He is part Spaniel. He is now 13 weeks. I learned alot from that day my other dog died and vowed to get educated about dogs.

I asked someone who I could trust to learn from and they recommended Ed. I had bought the 8 wks to 8 months.

My new puppy is smart as well and can be onery too. But I am having fun teaching him and bonding with him.

John, you are in the right place. You are in the position now of being able to make that heartbreaking accident a source of safety for your pup.

This site is loaded with info about training the recall, which, as you know now, is probably the most important command your dog will learn.

Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone finds themselves in the position of seeing that their best has fallen short. Then we find out that as we know better, we can do better.

I'm so sorry about your JRT. Thank your lucky stars that your friend told you about Leerburg. You and your new pup will benefit more than you can foresee.

P.S. Welcome!

John, so sorry to hear about your pup

Welcome aboard!

So sorry to hear about Napoleon. Connie's right though. Doing your best is what it's all about and it seems that you're off to a great start with your new pup/Spaniel. Good luck w/him.

This is such a great place to learn so many things - I'm pretty new to the dog world so I had and still have a lot to learn. It was really helpful for me to read about mistakes to avoid by reading others experiences. Things I wouldn't have ever thought could be a mistake! Someone's dog choked on a ball. That was very new to me. I thought a dog and a ball are natural pair. So now I never leave my dog unattended with a ball.

Just as important for me is learning the correct way to handle situations with my dog whether it be safety concerns or proper obedience, the best diet, the list goes on and on. There's no substitute for the vast knowledge this board offers.

Welcome aboard

John, many hugs to you and Napolean. IMO, there are no words to describe what it feels like to lose a beloved dog. I should probably care more about being "more perfect" for my creator, but I really wish I could be "more perfect" for my dogs.

Thoughts and prayers to you and your family..

Beth

Thanks everyone for your kind words.