The Escape Artist

Today was a terrifying day. First, a little history. Robbie is and always has been, an escape artist. When he was five months old and we used a gate to keep him in the kitchen, we would leave the house and when we returned, he would be sitting in the window waiting for us. Not the kitchen window but the living room window. He wasn't allowed in the bedrooms but sometimes, as soon as we opened the door, he would appear out of nowhere, dash into the room and run directly under the bed...in the middle. I can not tell you how many times we have been on our knees, on either side of the bed, trying to catch the little monster. Whenever we open the front door, every single day, we have to make sure he's not in the foyer because he will try to escape. He has chewed through two "ultra strong" leashes, one resulting in G stopping four lanes of traffic to catch him - which is never easy. When he breaks free, he automatically goes into play mode. While we are calling and chasing him, he thinks it's a game. He will not stop, come back, or allow us to pick him up. It is a nightmare. Well, today was really scary. Because of his history, G bought Robbie a new steel chain collar. While we were walking on one of the busiest streets in downtown Munich, that steel chain collar broke. How can a 30 lb. Puggle break steel? Of course, Robbie ran away. G and I, along with many helpful strangers, tried to catch him before he ran into the street. I almost had a heart attack. I felt sick to my stomach and was near tears. What an utterly helpless feeling. He thought we were playing a game and we were trying to save his life. Thank God, he saw another dog and was distracted enough for G to grab him. We just don't understand. Robbie knows basic commands but he will not come back to us if he escapes. After today's episode, we are both committed to focusing only on the command, "COME" for the next couple of weeks...at home and at the park. He has to learn. It is vital. How can my boy be so adorable and at the same time be so horrible?