I am so angry right now. We recently moved into a rental house, and the landlord is having the roof redone. The person doing it is a friend of theirs who has always done their "handyman" work. It's a 1000 sq ft house. This job should have taken a couple days max. We are on day 8 and there is still no new shingles on the back. This guy has left the gate open a couple of times, but it has been obviously open so I see it before we go outside and close it. Today he was here to fix the vapor barrier that blew around last night during rain. My aunt was here with her German Shepherd mix for a playdate. After the handyman left, we went outside in the yard. My aunt and I were towards the back of the yard and the dogs ran up towards the front where the gate is. All of a sudden, they weren't there anymore. Turns out he had closed the gate, but not latched it, so it wasn't as easy to see by just glancing that it wasn't shut. My aunt's dog had pushed it open and away they went. We live in a quiet neighborhood, but our road is one of the busier ones. They ran across the street to a neighbors. Luckily, Bode came back pretty easily. My aunt's dog was harder. We were finally able to corner her though. It scared the crap out of me.

I know it's my fault for not checking the gate better before we went out. But I am still livid at this guy. He obviously knows that we have a dog, and he has been super irresponsible about the gate. It doesn't help that I'm already pissed about the length of this job. I emailed my landlord to let her know, but that doesn't change the fact that it happened. Luckily everyone is fine, but I am about ready to rip this guy a new one.

I would be mad too!! It's a courtesy thing I would think if you knew there were dogs on the premises. I'm glad everyone is okay!!

Is it feasible for you to put up a sign right by the gate reminding everyone to please be sure to close the gate so the dogs don't get out?

Balonsmom wrote:

Is it feasible for you to put up a sign right by the gate reminding everyone to please be sure to close the gate so the dogs don't get out?

Yes, it is and it's probably a good idea. It just makes me so mad that is even necessary though. It's not a difficult thing to do.

I know it would make me mad too, but you no what they say an ounce of prevention....

Glad both pups are safe, I woud add a sign on both sides of the gate as well and say something to the guy next time he is over. I know you fell like its clear to not leave the gate open but it sounds like this guy is not the brightest light bulb.

It is good hear they the dogs came back in time.

a couple weeks ago I was mowing the yard and when I moved the mower to back I did not get the gate closed all the way and my dogs got out. I ran in the house and yell at John that the dogs were gone. I ran out the front yard and here they came running from next door I was so glad to see them both. I was just about to grab the keys to the car and some leashes and go looking for the,. Shortly after that I decide we needed to get the fence replaced and the gates re done.

Our old fence was over 20 years old and only one gate work and that one was in bad shape.

I know how you feel, on my front gate I have a sign that has a picture of a sibe and big red and black letters THIS HOUSE IS GUARDED BY A VERY CRANKY SIBERIAN HUSKY. On my front door (on the inside because my family always forgets) is a sign in big black letters CLOSE THE F****** DOOR BEHIND YOU! THERE ARE DOGS! harsh but trust me, very necessary lol.

As someone that comes from a completely non-dog friendly family, and used to utterly hate them myself (yes, it's true) - I totally get it. It's not an inconsiderate thing per-se, but a "doesn't even cross his mind" thing. Is my guess.

It's very common in my family (mom, dad, bro's and sis - not my wife and I family) to chat at the doorway with the door open. So of course that's what we do at my house whenever they come over to visit. Until they see a dog that wants to get outside. It's not that they don't care as much as it is they don't think/remember.

I'd try to cut him a little slack, make the sign as a reminder, and my guess is you'll have a much more pleasant experience in the future.

This reminds me of one of my neighbors... We have it good on one side- the family is really sweet and things the dogs walk on water...not so lucky on the other side. Our yard is joined until we can get the landlord to out fencing down the middle, which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that my neighbor is trying to get rid of my dogs. She leaves the gate on her side open almost every time. No matter how many times I remind her that I have dogs who lose to run....I have to check her gate before letting them off leash every time.

While he is there working I would suggest a tie out. That way, just in case, you are covered should he forget the gate.

Glad you got them both back safely! We just had our roof redone, ours is a lil over 1000sq ft and it took them 5.5 hours to get the house and the garage done. I kept our pup inside the whole time but took him out on a leash once to try to go potty but he was so scared with all the noise. the guys were still very careful about the gate until I told them not to worry about it since I was keeping the dog and kids inside. I'd just remind him in person if you can and then add the note as a reminder.