Lotsa Dogs Lotsa Fun

Lotsa Dogs Lotsa Fun
The Big Dogs Wait at The Door

Friday, February 18, 2005

Runaway Dogs

In spite of the best care and training, some dogs run away. Sometimes they're frightened and want to get away from something specific, like loud noise (especially an owner yelling at them). Some dogs just yearn to run as far and as fast as they can. And then, sometimes there's something "out there" that they can't resist - like garbage! Beagles and Bassets are known for bolting on trash collection day. They can smell the goodness in the air! I used to have a Cocker Spaniel who raced me to the gate every Friday morning,'cause he knew what goodies all those curbside containers held! Then we'd do this foot thing with him trying to bolt between my legs and me fending him off with my lower extremities. He occasionally won; the good part was that he never got further than my next door neighbor's goodie bags.

What to do when your dog runs away? If you're there and see her go, grab her favorite food or treat and try to get in front of her and lead her to the treat. For example, you can jump in your car and go in the same direction as your dog, but go ahead of her; stop, open the car door, and try to lure her in with the treats. It's best to offer something that smells good. I've used cheese and raw meat in the past.

If that doesn't work, don't continue to pursue your dog. It's likely that he'll get caught up in the chase and go farther away than if you didn't pursue him. Animal control officers and rescue organizations have learned that dogs who are loose will generally stay within a 1 mile radius of where they got loose, unless chased further. So notify the local police, the local animal control officer, animal shelters, and near-by veterinarians and tell them that your dog is running loose. Describe him and any collar or leash attached to him. If he's not found in a few hours, put up lots of posters, with his picture (keep a jpg. photo of your dog on your computer!!); circle around the point where he got loose as you post. The first line on the poster should read REWARD! because that's what gets peoples' attention. And include your home and cell phone numbers, as well as the phone number of your animal control officer.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ma dog runs 'way a lot. You just have to wait til she comes home. Your right, dont chase them.

Anonymous said...

i have a dog that has run away from home...more liked moved in with someone else. it is my husband's dog and my husband has been working away for about the past 2 months i also have a dog. when my husband left, my dogs started to fight and his dog ran away and began staying with some people who live in our area. i have taken the dog to see my husband,and my husband came home for a weekend and the dog wouldn't stay home. i work nights and i go pick him up every morning and when i let him out when i get up, he runs off. what do i do?

Unknown said...

Unlike our romantic ideas about them, most dogs are quite practical: they'll go where they're most comfortable. Painful as it is, your husband's dog has found a place that suits him better than your house. So you may need to make some changes to get him to stay home.

First, you need to bond with him. Really spend affectionate time with him while your other dog is outside or crated. That's because your husband being home once a week isn't enough to keep his dog with you. Second, do all you can to reduce the amount of change the dog is exposed to. Constantly changing schedules and masters make dogs nervous. They want to know who and what to expect. Of course, there are some dogs who are ecstatic no matter who's around or what happens. Unfortunately your husband's dog isn't among them.

If all else fails, keep Runaway Pup tied up, leashed, crated or fenced until he stops trying to leave.

Anonymous said...

Another great resource that I have discovered while doing alot of research when my Beagle (Mattie) would always runaway is a GPS tracker/locator by a company called zoombak.

Now, I know where Mattie is at all times.

check out their website: http://www.zoombak.com

Terry, Long Island