Each scenario discussed here includes a graphic and a solution. While not every suggestion may work for you, the goal is to get everyone thinking about pet safety in general, and how to prevent potentially tragic situations from occurring. Please, use this as a springboard to start your own conversations with family members, neighbors, or as content to include with a newly adopted pet. Let's get started!
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (One): A dog is let out to potty in the yard, often late at night, and does not come back. It may seem tempting to open the door and let a pup out because they "always circle the yard and come right back" - until they don't. They may:
• Pick up a scent
• Chase (or be chased) by another animal
• Spook at a loud noise & bolt
• Be picked up by someone (to steal, sell, use as bait dog)
SOLUTION: Stay with your pet.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Two): A pet runs off after smells or scents (attracted by a female in heat, deer, cats, rabbits, etc.) Most dogs are not foolproof, meaning they will be dogs, and thus can always find something more interesting than their own yard to hang out in. If your dog repeatedly "disappears", you may get lucky having them dropped off by a kind neighbor the first time or two, perhaps picking them up from animal control, but one day your luck may run out and they will not return home.
SOLUTIONS: Spay and neuter animals. Walk on a leash walk, use a temporary tie out, install a fence.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Three): Slipped out of collar. Any dog can get loose when scared, fearful, skittish; we see this happen just about everywhere, each week, with all sizes, shapes, and ages of dogs, whether it's out for a walk, on vacation, or just going to the vet. Let's talk about solutions!
FACT: a thin, inexpensive collar from the dollar store is not going to hold your pet securely, as they often stretch and offer no real strength.
FACT: a buckle collar is not helpful as it is a fixed size and all the dog needs to do is back up and twist their head to escape. A better option is a slip collar which tightens when pulled on, but if you have a puller, use of a harness AND collar would be best.
SOLUTIONS: If you have a new dog, foster dog, timid or fearful dog that spooks easily, don't risk losing them with poor equipment. Always use a collar that tightens automatically with pressure, or better yet, a harness. Note about picking out the right gear; there is more that goes into correctly fitting each animal's body shape than you might think. The best way to ensure you are purchasing appropriately sized products is to visit a real retail store where people know what they sell, and can try on several different options to find the best fit.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Four): animals are allowed to roam freely. Believing that a dog will "always stay in the yard", come when called, or thinking "they know they need to stay close to home" is often a disaster waiting to happen. They may:
• Run off to play with another dog
• Catch the scent of a female in heat
• Be seen/stolen by someone who knows your pet is always loose
• Be at risk of another animal attacking them
SOLUTIONS: Train your pet. Invest in a fence. WALK YOUR DOG MORE. Many folks spend time walking a new dog or puppy but then gradually get away from that as the animal is older, so they wind up roaming, unattended. Note: spaying and neutering your pets is not a guarantee that they will remain safely in your yard, however it does reduce wandering.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Five): Animals can bolt out of the house unexpectedly, and at the worst times. It happens to ALL of us; a delivery person knocks, someone didn't latch the back door, the kids forget to close the front door, or a gust of wind blows a door open. There are a 101 ways for animals to leave your home in a second!
SOLUTIONS: Block off the "danger zone" around the most used entrance, either with a fixed gate at the end of a hallway, or use a free standing one if you don't have nearby walls. This extra barrier gives you several additional feet of protection from dogs or cats inadvertently slipping out while bringing in groceries, shaking out a rug, talking to a neighbor, etc. Practice "Sit" and "Stay" training until your dogs are responsive and under voice control for situations like this. Keep a short leash on a fearful dog at all times in the house for extra safety.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Six): Pet escapes from yard (dug out, jumped fence, gate blown open, etc.).
Some dogs are just harder to contain than others, either by climbing over or digging under a fence which may be perfectly suitable for most animals. If scared by loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms, many dogs can panic, and, powered by fear, suddenly learn how to escape, and then there's always the possibility of a tree falling or wind blowing a gate open.
SOLUTIONS: Get in the habit of double checking your fence before letting animals out, perhaps scanning the yard each morning or after the lawn guy leaves, and walking a fence line after a big storm. Maintain and keep fencing in good shape, and if you have a digger, install sunken sections to discourage them.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Seven): A newly adopted or foster pet gets loose. These cases are an absolute nightmare, as there may not have been time for the human and animal to establish a relationship, a new pet may be confused and fearful, or may have come from an awful environment before being rescued. For all these reasons, prevention of such incidents must be a high priority!
SOLUTIONS: Always use two leashes and double collars. In case the dog yanks backwards and slips out of a collar, you still have one left, but even better, double up with a harness and a collar. Never allow a new dog to roam freely; leash walk ONLY for the first few weeks. Many rescue folks even suggest keeping a short leash on them while in the house, as something to grab if the kids unexpectedly leave the door open, or someone is exiting, etc.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Eight): Spooked by unfamiliar or loud noises (fireworks, gunshots, thunderstorms, etc.)We've ALL had it happen; gone out for a peaceful summer walk and out of the blue.... firecrackers start going off, a thunderstorm approaches, or a passing car backfires. It happens!
SOLUTIONS: Be aware of your pet's triggers and mindful of your surroundings. If you know your dog is fearful, always walk them double leashed or with a collar and harness combo. Remember to check the weather before heading out, avoid walking after dark during holiday weekends in the summertime, or staying off the main roads.
Reasons Dogs Go Missing (Nine): Animals lost from while traveling. Road trips and rest stops, a timid dog at the vet, or taking your new pup camping; these are all scenarios which can easily lead to loose animals. Your dog may panic in an unfamiliar area, leap out of the car on a family trip or slip out of their collar while walking up to the vet's office. Since we can't predict everything, it's best to be prepared.
SOLUTIONS: Use a crate or carrier while on the road, and make sure everyone in the family understands not to open doors until the pet is safely secured. Put a harness on your cat even if it's just going to the vet in it's carrier. Always double leash (better yet, a leash AND harness) when out of town, visiting relatives homes or going on vacation. Train your dog to be comfortable and confident out in public by walking them regularly, socializing, and exposing them to normal sights and sounds of people, vehicles, and other animals.
While there may be 101 additional scenarios for how a canine family member gets loose, our goal here was to review some of the most common occurrences we see. Planning ahead is safety in motion! Always try to see things through the eyes of your fearful dog, skillful escape artist, or travel situation, because just a little bit of thoughtful prevention can save a life. We also encourage families to talk over these things together, by having a conversation prior to a Thanksgiving visit to grandma's house, for example, because involving everyone in the process is key. No matter the scenario, we hope this gives you some insight on ways to keep your precious family members safe and secure.
Thank you for reading!
Lost Pet PR was established in 2011 to assist pet parents on the Delmarva Peninsula; Sussex County (DE), the lower eastern shore of Maryland, and Accomack & Northampton Counties in Virginia. Connect with us on social media!
