And a Reminder: Dogs Can Act Unpredictably in New Situations

Yesterday was one of those days that shakes you to your core — and reminds you just how unpredictable our dogs can be in unfamiliar situations.

I was out on Nana Duty and Mark was away visiting his unwell mum. A lovely neighbour came by to let the dogs out to toilet. Later that afternoon, I got the call — Ony wouldn’t come back inside.

Of all our dogs, Ony is the last one I would have expected to bolt. He’s social, confident, and incredibly well-trained. But something about being alone, with a stranger instead of one of his people, set off a fear response — and he was gone.

This is a powerful reminder that even the most reliable dog can run when faced with a novel situation.

Over the next six hours, Ony covered an estimated 25 kilometres. We live in some very wild country and he ran through dense bushland, across steep terrain filled with wombat holes, and down the railway line and Illawarra Highway. This was a full flight response.

He was spotted multiple times in places I still cannot believe he went: near the Robertson Pie Shop, McGuinness Drive, and just past the concrete railway bridge near the Tourist Road junction. One kind local, after seeing a post on the Robertson Commons Facebook group, followed him at a distance — knowing it was too risky to try and catch a panicked dog. When roadworks stopped her, Ony kept going, miraculously heading in the right direction.

That night, after one more hopeful walk, staring out into the darkness in the direction he had run…it was deathly silent. I walked back towards the house and hiding in the bushes there he was. Quietly watching me. Home.

His four paws were bleeding, he has worn all his toe pads off, and on his front paws the nails are worn down past the quick from running on hard surfaces for hours. And yet, he made it back.

This is why dog trainers and owners alike must remember that dogs can behave unexpectedly in stressful or unfamiliar situations. It doesn't matter how solid their recall is or how confident they usually seem — instinct and fear can take over.

Ony’s story highlights why even well-trained dogs run away sometimes. The behaviour isn't about disobedience — it's driven by panic or confusion.

To all of you who helped — thank you. To our Mount Murray neighbours, the Canine Ed community, and friends from near and far who reached out — your support carried me through. Special thanks to Belinda, Sue, Teresa, and Peta — for the late-night calls, the calm thinking, and the companionship in a truly horrible few hours.

I share this story not just because Ony is home — but because it’s a lesson we all need. Dog behaviour in unfamiliar situations can be unpredictable. A great relationship and solid training doesn’t eliminate instinct, and even the most consistent dogs can be overwhelmed by fear.

Ony was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, where air raid sirens and explosions were daily background noise. He lived in Spain with a friend, Anastasia for eight months, waiting for permission to come to Australia. He’s lived through more than most — and yet yesterday, it was a quiet afternoon at home that nearly cost him his life.

Today I am absolutely drained. But I’m also incredibly grateful.

So please, don’t assume your dog “would never.” Mine almost didn’t make it home — and he’s the last dog I thought would ever run.

Thank Dog he made it home.

“Don’t assume your dog ‘would never.’ Under the right conditions, any dog can bolt.”