Quote:
Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1  Be sure he can not fall thru the bars on the balcony....that is what happened to a friend of mine. He used to stick his head thru the bars to watch people, etc go by....I warned her to put up chicken wire to keep the pup from falling thru the bars... |
Thanks
Yorkiemom1 - I very much appreciate this advice! I have a glass panel type of balcony railing, but there is a small gap that he could technically slip under and just fall to his death (I'm on the 8th floor). I had already considered somehow blocking all gaps off. I don't trust my little guy to anything...literally. I've become somewhat of a safety-nut now.
Reason being, I had once encountered a scary situation that taught me a good lesson. We usually take our afternoon walks around my neighbourhood on this nice path around the water. In this one area, there are the typical hand railing along the water for people to lean on and enjoy the scenery. But it's a long ways down into the water. During this time, I was teaching him loose leash walking and took a chance whenever I have treats with me (I don't do this anymore though) and train him to walk with me off-leash.
Well BOY did he give me the scare of my life. He was okay for the most part and walked alongside me. Then suddenly, he felt that it might be cool to get a better view of the water and crawled under the railing to stand on the outside part of the railing on the concrete base (approx 12" wide). If there was a bird flying by, I'm almost certain he'd try to chase it and fall right into the water. I had the feeling of a drunk person staggering along the edge of a tall building and falling off at any second! I couldn't breath!
Luckily I've done enough reading on training and the first thing I did was run away from him hoping he'd quickly follow (rather than running towards him and scaring him to fall into the water). He did follow me. Thank GOD. I quickly leashed him up and was shaky during our whole walk home.
It was a
huge drop into the water and I can't swim. I was freaking out thinking what would I do?!? Should I dive in anyways? The water would be so cold, I'd drown too! Would I watch Scottie drown? Would he magically learn how to swim? It'd be too cold, he wouldn't be able to swim! How would I ever get him from where I was? Should I cry and hope someone else would jump in to save him? Gosh. I totally learned my lesson...
Anyway, sorry to ramble, but that's my story. I cannot fathom the thought of ever losing him due to my negligence in any way.