So today Logan was on the porch chewing on a bone peacefully. I was going on a short errand and left him. While I was away my father let him loose into the yard. The yard is fenced but Logan can easily clear it and go into any of the neighbor yards or front...he can get to the street behind us or anywhere he likes. My dad said he wanted to "let him run around that's all" and I am glad he TOLD me he did it. I told him "don't do it again, how would you have called him if he jumped the fence? what if the neighbor's dog suddenly came out and he jumped over there? What would you have done???" He said "he didn't go over there"

I think I might padlock his kennel if I can't trust my own father to not try and be macho and think he can handle him. I told him if he wants to throw a ball for him fine as long as he lets me know and he's on a long line and trades toys. He also thinks we should let him make friends with the neighbor...I said no way and he says its ok dogs a re good judge of character. I do believe that to some degree (he didn't like my ex that much)...but seriously they don't need to be friends!!!

I would explain pack leader rules, you are the leader, here are the rules. I've done it to my dad when he tried to alpha role my pup, and told me "this is the right way to do it when he doesn't do what he's told." Now he's not allowed to touch, look or speak to the pup. It all depends on how you do it, hurt feelings are almost always a given. But I'd rather have hurt feelings then a pup scarred for life.

 Quote: Ben McDonald

... But I'd rather have hurt feelings then a pup scarred for life.

Or dead.

That padlock sounds good to me.

This isn't someone who gets it, IMHO: " I told him "don't do it again, how would you have called him if he jumped the fence? what if the neighbor's dog suddenly came out and he jumped over there? What would you have done???" He said "he didn't go over there""

Today I overheard him telling my mom how he had let him loose. He commented on how he "tricked" him to get him back. I used that as ammo to talk to him again and pointed out exactly how he has NO control of Logan. FYI my dad is 70 yrs old. I asked him "even if he was on a long line and decided to take off, could you even run and step on the end, or even hold on to it with 80+lbs of momentum to keep him from going over the fence? Then, if he goes in the neighbor's yard, could you even jump the fence and get him?" I also explained that you MUST be able to enforce commands with him, that he is alway looking for a way to blow even me off...he's just that kind of dog. He agreed.

The answer to any of this was no, he is unsteady on his feet and even with coaching on how to handle him, I would never let him (or anyone) walk Logan by himself. No way! He needed a dose of reality and I hated to hurt his ego but no way I'd let that happen again. I also reiterated that he can ask me to help him so he can play fetch with Logan if he wants to. I am ok with that.