Picked up my seven month old from doggy day care and headed home, I forgot the sewer crew was there working on something. She’s usually a super friendly girl, loves people, but seeing these big guys in our yard spooked her. I was trying to talk with the head of the crew and get the dog to sit. She wiggled out of her collar.

I tried to be calm, telling her first “freeze”, which she did. I told her to come (without moving toward her), which she ignored. She then started walking away slowly. I repeated the command and tried not to raise my voice. She kept walking so I took a step toward her and she was gone. I threw everything on the ground (keys, purse, bag, sweater, lunch, and stupidly the leash/collar) and started after her.

We aren’t on a main road but we get a fair amount of traffic, so I was hustling to catch her. She turned the corner and saw a lady walking her two dachshunds. My puppy ran over to them (because dogs = play!). The lady screamed at my dog, scooped up her dogs AND TRIED TO KICK MY PUPPY. I was yelling “She’s a puppy, don’t hurt her!” She tried to kick my dog again and continued screaming. (I would like to note that I get it, if an unknown dog came running towards my dog, I would be cautious and probably try to move her, maybe pick her up. Unless the dog was clearly aggressive, though, I would never kick! My puppy is clearly a playful girl and was having a great time, tail wagging, jumping, not showing any signs of menace.)

My poor confused baby ran back to me. I yelled at the lady “SHE’S NOT GOING TO HURT YOUR DAMN DOGS! SHE WANTS TO PLAY!” I ended up carrying her back home. I don’t think the woman actually made contact with my pup, but she was pretty shaken. She’s currently sleeping on my knees.

Suggestions for how to increase recall are appreciated. Puppy tax. Thanks for letting me vent.

EDITED TO ADD: Thanks for the ideas and support. We will start working on an emergency recall word today. I just have to get some spray cheese as the ultimate reward!