Problem Solver

Kozmo is a smart dog. I've seen him figure out things that I didn't think he could do. Like moving a large wooden pallet along the edge of the lake to get to his toy that rolled down the bank. Or when he sticks his head under water to retrieve a toy that didn't float. Yesterday he both amazed and terrified me.

As I was walking toward my house from the garage Kozmo could see me. His room is in the back of the house. I could see his cute head pop up from his couch and go to the door. He was jumping with excitement and must have hit the door handle just right. He knew he unlocked and opened the door. He then quickly used his nose and paw to open the door and came running through the yard to greet me.

I was mortified. All I could think is what if he did this during the day and he and the cat were running around the neighborhood unsupervised? What if one of them got hurt or hit by a car? My mind was racing at all the what ifs and in my state of panic I forgot every basic lesson I ever learned at dog school.

I started to frantically chase Kozmo which turned into a big game of chase. He was smiling running through the neighbors yards, into the alley, in between houses and even onto the street. Meanwhile Sparky is now strolling through the yard to see what all of the excitement is about. I finally grabbed Sparky and took him inside. Once the game was over and I was out of sight Kozmo happily wondered in through the back door and was ready for dinner or more playtime.

I spent the entire evening freaked out that my smart dog can now open the back door and if I ever forget to lock the deadbolt again who knows what I will find when I get home? I must get my pup a fence for his safety and my peace of mind.