This has been a subject that has been weighing on my mind for awhile now and I would like the opportunity to share some tips on what an owner can do in this scenario. While I have not had one of my own dogs go missing since I was in college and left it in the care of my boyfriend at the time, I have recently experienced one of my client's dogs come up missing and many of you know I feel like your dogs are my dogs too! When I got the call that Jackson was missing, I set out on a mission to help bring Jackson home. I will share some of the things I have learned about searching for missing dogs in the coming weeks.
But first, let's take a step back for a second and talk about ways to prevent this situation and/or be proactive in resolving it quickly should it happen.
But first, let's take a step back for a second and talk about ways to prevent this situation and/or be proactive in resolving it quickly should it happen.
Proactive/Preventative Strategies
Boomerang I.D. Tag
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, have current
identification on your dog!
There are plenty of products out there to make this an easy step for dog owners, a couple of my favorites are:
The Boomerang Tag- Whether you cannot stand the constant jingle of tags, or your dog has a interesting habit of losing his tags in the yard, these tags are a great choice, they slide right onto the collar! They do not hang off the collar where they can jingle or get caught on something, and there is no need for any mounting hardware like rivets! http://www.boomerangtags.com/
Embroidered I.D. collars
Embroidered Collars- Another great choice for your pet's ID. These collars come with your information embroidered right on the collar! http://www.amazon.com/Embroidered-Dog-Collars/dp/B0063EJ2SI
Microchip and Scanner
Microchipping- Since many dogs go missing everyday because they slip their collars, microchipping is a great way to help insure your dog's chances of getting back home to you. A microchip is a small identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of your dog, usually between the shoulder blades. The chip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses passive Radio Frequency Identification technology to send an identifying number to microchip scanners. That number is kept in a database by the microchipping company along with your contact info. Most shelters and
veterinarians have scanners and it is becoming common practice to scan a dog for a microchip when it is found wandering. Many dogs have returned home thanks to microchipping.
Storm Damage can be scary!
Don't leave your dog outside when Mother Nature is angry.
Many dogs are afraid of storms, no matter how
big or small the storm. Storms are also unpredictable and may cause damage to your fence, letting your pet escape, or cause a tree limb to fall and spook a dog that may not even be afraid of storms. It is always a good idea to bring dogs in when the weather could get nasty. It is also wise to keep your pets inside during certain holidays like 4th of July and Halloween, when your neighborhood could beunpredictable!
Many dogs are afraid of storms, no matter how
big or small the storm. Storms are also unpredictable and may cause damage to your fence, letting your pet escape, or cause a tree limb to fall and spook a dog that may not even be afraid of storms. It is always a good idea to bring dogs in when the weather could get nasty. It is also wise to keep your pets inside during certain holidays like 4th of July and Halloween, when your neighborhood could beunpredictable!
No-slip, Martingale style Collar
When traveling,
take appropriate precautions.
If you are planning a trip and will take your dog with you (lucky dog!). Please consider investing in a no-slip collar or harness for them to wear on the trip. There have been many dogs come up missing because they were out to do their business at a truck stop and got spooked by a big truck or other loud noise. This is a terrible scenario in many ways. First, truck stops/rest areas are, by design, right next to a busy highway, making it very easy for your pup to get hit by a vehicle. Secondly, many rest areas are there because there is nothing else around, meaning very little resources to find a missing dog (no local home owners to question). Finally, you are likely going to have to either change your trip to stay near the area your dog went missing or heaven forbid move on and hope that he can be located by someone else. Martingale collars are a great collar for leash walking while traveling.
take appropriate precautions.
If you are planning a trip and will take your dog with you (lucky dog!). Please consider investing in a no-slip collar or harness for them to wear on the trip. There have been many dogs come up missing because they were out to do their business at a truck stop and got spooked by a big truck or other loud noise. This is a terrible scenario in many ways. First, truck stops/rest areas are, by design, right next to a busy highway, making it very easy for your pup to get hit by a vehicle. Secondly, many rest areas are there because there is nothing else around, meaning very little resources to find a missing dog (no local home owners to question). Finally, you are likely going to have to either change your trip to stay near the area your dog went missing or heaven forbid move on and hope that he can be located by someone else. Martingale collars are a great collar for leash walking while traveling.
Who could leave this face behind?!
If you are unable to take your furry friend along, choose carefully where your dog will stay while you are away.
Another all too familiar story, "I was out of town and I left my dog with a friend. My dog got out of the yard and now he is lost and I am not even there to help find him!" What a desperate feeling that can be. When planning a trip, make arrangements well ahead of time where your dog will be staying in your absence. Whether it be with friends, relatives, or a dog boarding facility, it is smart to let your dog do a "trial run sleepover" before your trip. Show your dog that even though you are leaving him behind, you will always come back for him. When choosing a place for your dog to stay, make sure you are leaving him with someone who understands that your dog has no attachment to their house and probably very little
attachment to them so letting them escape is simply not an option. Don't feel like you are being "too picky" for your fur baby, imagine the guilt a friend or family member would feel if they lost your pet!
Another all too familiar story, "I was out of town and I left my dog with a friend. My dog got out of the yard and now he is lost and I am not even there to help find him!" What a desperate feeling that can be. When planning a trip, make arrangements well ahead of time where your dog will be staying in your absence. Whether it be with friends, relatives, or a dog boarding facility, it is smart to let your dog do a "trial run sleepover" before your trip. Show your dog that even though you are leaving him behind, you will always come back for him. When choosing a place for your dog to stay, make sure you are leaving him with someone who understands that your dog has no attachment to their house and probably very little
attachment to them so letting them escape is simply not an option. Don't feel like you are being "too picky" for your fur baby, imagine the guilt a friend or family member would feel if they lost your pet!
Newly adopted pets
While we are on the subject of pets not having an attachment to a place or a person, lets talk about the scenario of getting a new dog. This is another frequent cause for pets to go missing. Imagine with me for a moment: You go to the shelter, you lock eyes with your fur soulmate. "This is the one!", you think. You're sure that the dog is feeling the same way. You want to make the right decision, so you think it over for 24 hours, filled with excitement, you head to the local pet store to stock up on all the essentials, treats, toys, leash, collar, food. The next day, you fill out the necessary adoption paperwork, take the dog to your car and talk to it lovingly all the way home about how their life will never be like that again. You get home and within the first week, the dog escapes your yard and never looks back. As much as that might hurt your feelings (and your ego!), lets try to look at this from your dog's perspective. He was not a part of all the preparation described above that prepared you mentally and emotionally to own a dog. At this point, all he knows is you showed up one day and visited him and then the next day he left with you. Even though you consider yourself his owner, he does not yet. When adopting a pet, that pet should not be off leash at any time when outside of your house (and maybe even inside as well!), even if you have a fenced yard, for a week AT MINIMUM (every dog's back story is unique, some dogs may need 30 days, or longer). If "your" new dog manages to get away from you in the first few days of ownership, it will not have any attachment to your house or you yet. Also, time alone will not establish a lasting relationship between you and your new addition. I would also highly encourage you to enroll in a formal training program with your dog to strengthen your bond with them.
Even with the best of intentions, things happen. Follow every guideline for prevention and
your pet can still go missing. Next week in part 2, I will outline a plan of
action for owners who find themselves in this situation.
For any of you who are not familiar with the story of Jackson (referenced at the beginning of
this entry), he was found! (More on this story to come in part 2).
While we are on the subject of pets not having an attachment to a place or a person, lets talk about the scenario of getting a new dog. This is another frequent cause for pets to go missing. Imagine with me for a moment: You go to the shelter, you lock eyes with your fur soulmate. "This is the one!", you think. You're sure that the dog is feeling the same way. You want to make the right decision, so you think it over for 24 hours, filled with excitement, you head to the local pet store to stock up on all the essentials, treats, toys, leash, collar, food. The next day, you fill out the necessary adoption paperwork, take the dog to your car and talk to it lovingly all the way home about how their life will never be like that again. You get home and within the first week, the dog escapes your yard and never looks back. As much as that might hurt your feelings (and your ego!), lets try to look at this from your dog's perspective. He was not a part of all the preparation described above that prepared you mentally and emotionally to own a dog. At this point, all he knows is you showed up one day and visited him and then the next day he left with you. Even though you consider yourself his owner, he does not yet. When adopting a pet, that pet should not be off leash at any time when outside of your house (and maybe even inside as well!), even if you have a fenced yard, for a week AT MINIMUM (every dog's back story is unique, some dogs may need 30 days, or longer). If "your" new dog manages to get away from you in the first few days of ownership, it will not have any attachment to your house or you yet. Also, time alone will not establish a lasting relationship between you and your new addition. I would also highly encourage you to enroll in a formal training program with your dog to strengthen your bond with them.
Even with the best of intentions, things happen. Follow every guideline for prevention and
your pet can still go missing. Next week in part 2, I will outline a plan of
action for owners who find themselves in this situation.
For any of you who are not familiar with the story of Jackson (referenced at the beginning of
this entry), he was found! (More on this story to come in part 2).
RSS Feed