How strange this thread is! My friend with the uber intelligent Border Collie rung here this morning, as we're going to a Cricket Match (our ball game) this weekend. I re-counted my scare over Crystal etc. He's trained many Alsatians and Border Collies over his lifetime and was an RAF dog handler for many years. I knew he'd had a 'Yorkie' for over a decade, before I knew him, but as their parting was sad (a run off from a new home), we'd never really opened the subject up. He is now a 73 year old widower and said 'Fred' (the Yorkie, was a puppy that he'd inherited from a fellow airman facing transfer) was just as bright as many bigger dogs he'd had. Adding that of all of them, he'd like to have his time with his little terrier over again, because he was so amzingly in touch with his moods. However he did warn me, that of all the breeds he's experienced, our little people have by FAR the best hearing. His tone became sad and he related how as they'd moved into a new home in the heart of London's West End 40 years ago; a truck discharged it's air brakes right next to Fred and he bolted, never to be seen again! He's convinced it's a warning to me and went on to remark that ALL dogs, no matter how bright can get spooked and bolt. "Better to keep Crystal tethered Doc, next time you bathe her, study how fine those little bones really are." "Theyr'e tough spunky little dogs, but their framework is so easily damaged, even though they'll gamble their very lives with it!"

"Always remember Yorkies are to cherish, not to brandish", he said in closing. Wise and sad words that have been on my mind all day.:(

Thak you for your good wishes...:)

I was visiting my sister in Fl. and my yorkie ran out the front door. My family (about 6 people) were running after her and calling her name. She was ignoring us and running all over the neighborhood having a blast. I saw a stranger on a bike coming down the street. I stopped him and ask (I told him I know this is a strange request but) if he would see if the yorkie standing over in the yard across the street would come to him. I knew she would...she loves strangers, and of course she ran right to him. Yorkies....what can you say?

Like others have stated, mine is on a leash, unless she is in a secure yard.

I don't think you should try her again when she is older....you just can't trust them 100 %.

Hindsight is always 20/20! I'm glad all ended well!

So sorry for the scare that Crystal gave you, but happy she is ok. You are lucky to have had this learning opportunity, without further damage.

I've spent 5 years (all of my Yorkie Tiki's life), trying to protect her, train her, and keep her from bolting. She is so fast and crazy that I can't even trust her off leash in my driveway when going to the car. My 3 Morkies, on the other hand stay right close to my ankles, and definitely listen and come when I call them.

Unfortunately, I don't think I will ever be able to trust her off leash. I even have a gate inside my front door to keep her from charging out when people are coming in.

Doc, I always enjoy hearing how much you love your Crystal, and how important she is in your life.

Thats how I see it and as Oscar Wilde once said;
"Experience is the name everyman gives to his mistakes"!

Thank you so much, I'm just so glad we found each other. I knew the first time I saw her funny little face peering out from her ad, that we were meant for each other!:)

Thanks, I've had a sobering lesson, but will now put it behind me and learn not only from the incident, but all the warmth and good wishes from everyone here...:hug:

I'm glad that you got your girl with no harm done. They do have a tendency to bolt and go into I can't hear you mode!
As for the harness we use the step in puppia ones as the Velcro and clip at the back and cannot undo , as we had the same problem with the just Velcro ones.
I will post a link to some on eBay that you might want to check.
Puppia Step in Harness | eBay

Wise words about our little terroriers. I am so glad Crystal is safe. I use the Buddy Belt with Buster after a few scares with other harnesses. Buddy Belts

Very glad that man was there and helped you out. I have a bad knee and have dropped the leash a couple of times but have been lucky and she has stopped and waited for me to pick up the leash again. No way can I run after her. Sometimes feel like super gluing it to my wrist.

I finally saw this post today. This is a huge dilemma. My Deuce loves his mommy but I just know he will take off to chase a cat, squirrel or bird if he sees it. He is only off leash in the fenced yard. We're moving to a no fences area. I don't want to ever go off leash there. Just not my comfort zone.

The other day while walking in the neighborhood I tripped on the handicapped ramp and fell. I dropped the lead. Thank goodness little Deuce just ran over to me and looked frantic that I fell. I may not be that lucky next time.

Back at the beginning of the summer I had Puff at my mother's house when we saw a huge hawk flying around. In my panic to protect Puff I inadvertently got her all excited and she took off running towards the woods! I was sure either the hawk would get her or the family of foxes that lives in the woods would. Its so scary to see your baby running towards danger and be powerless to stop her. Puff doesn't leave this house without her harness and leash securely fastened.
I am so glad precious Crystal is safe and sound.

Thanks for this reference, much appreciated:)

Yes its so frustrating, I felt absolutely useless. we saw our 'Samaritan' again last night. Crystal ran up and greeted him with great affection. I know the idea about superglue, I have mine on a little wrist strap now after Crystal put the 'brakes on' once behind me and the small loop lead cassette dropped from my hand. :eek:

Unfortunately due to a combination of my re-arranged physical geometry affecting my balance, I falter and stumble a bit too. Only yesterday I went down in our home, where I've had very thick carpets laid, when I retired. I was perectly OK, but Crystal immediately rushed over, licking my face and was in an elevated state of concern, similar to the door bell ringing! Last night of course I had her on the longer spool lead (7yards v the normal 3). Of course she never extended beyond 3 yards - real Yorkie response! ;)

so glad everything turned out ok

Thank you for your kind wishes, we have a balcony here overlooking the sea see pic. Although our balustrade has tight railings (3" gap) we don't let her out there and have an expanding trellis to block it off. We did this after noticing how excited she got at the gulls that pass very close to us at times. Although on a lead and just five months old we were nervous she'd slip through as she 'hurled' herself at her aerial tormentors! Personally and reluctantly, I won't release her again, I'm sure she'll learn to utilise her longer lead very quickly, taking into account their naturally explorative natures!

Thanks for your good wishes Jeane...

OH scary!
There is one thing I learned about Yorkies, no command works when they get their sights on something. LOL My boys IGNORE me completely when they are riled up. Any time off leash is confined to fenced in areas because of this reason. One chipmunk and they'd be GONE on a tear and never would listen to me. I lost Fletch a few times for a couple hours when he was much younger due to this. Now I'm just 'better safe than sorry' and don't let them off leash.

Thank you for responding. I was talking about this to one of our shopkeepers here this morning, he used to have an Airedale, an intelligent breed I'm told. Aged two years and on her normal walk one day, she fired off for 3 days!

They scoured the neighbourhoods to no avail. She eventually returned - very hungry. A Yorkie would not fare so well I think. I'm well in the 'leashed - up club' now.:lightbulb

Thanks, It seems an exclusive view and one I now heartily concur with.:thumbup:

One more thing to consider just in case of an escape is a collar with your cell phone number on it, in addition to microchip.

I recently got collars for my 4 that have their name and my phone # embroidered right on it, and put them on the pups when we go anywhere away from the house and yard. It is only for ID, not for attaching leash (that goes on harness). Even though they are microchipped, I want to know that just in case they (especially Tiki) got loose, someone could contact me much faster than waiting to scan the microchip.

What a super idea! Irina says she could make a little expanding collar, so I could fit it easily (one handed) over her head. I could get a little disc engraved and as you say, it does cater for a fast response! I'll get the disc engraved from Ebay tonight.

Thanks so much
Martin:)

Here is a link to the collars I got:

Personalized Embroidered Dog Collar

There are many other sites with similar products. I especially liked these because I don't like tags hanging that clang, and can get caught on things.

Anything to help us retrieve a runaway Yorkie is helpful. Good luck.

Beautiful view from your balcony!

Break-away cat collars work well too.

Thanks it gets very crowded on hot days. Crystal and I firmly close all the windows, turn up the air-con and wait for the cool and peace when they've all gone. Like me, she's not a fan of high temperatures. It's beautiful just now, the seasons over and we get our little town back to ourselves again.

Thanks for the Break away news too...:)