02/05/2024
With the amount of dog’s we’ve seen lately that have been loose, or lost, some found, and some it’s been weeks since they’ve last been seen, we wanted to compile a few things you can do to prevent the loss of your family member.
Keeping your dog safe and preventing them from running off is crucial for their well-being. We know you love your dog, and you think it wouldn’t happen to you, but it unfortunately happens far too often, and is a scary experience for all involved. Here's a list of things you can do to avoid losing your dog or prevent them from running off and getting lost.
𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: Ensure your yard has secure fencing that is tall enough to prevent your dog from jumping over or digging under. Regularly inspect the fencing for any gaps or weaknesses. Keep doors and gates closed securely at all times to prevent your dog from sneaking out accidentally.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Train your dog to come when called, and proof the behavior in an assortment of places, with many distractions, and all situations. Practice on a longline in all new areas and situations. You can also work with a trainer on e-collar if you are comfortable with that, it’s a great tool if used properly. You should also teach your dog not to bolt out of the car, doors, gates, ect. You should not have your dog off leash if they are not properly trained with recall, or in new environments, safety first always.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Always supervise your dog when they are outside, especially in unfenced areas or places where they could easily escape. Avoid leaving your dog unattended outside, especially for extended periods, as this increases the risk of them wandering off or being stolen.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Keep your dog on a leash when you're out for walks or in public places where they could easily become startled and run off. Make sure their collar is well fitted, a flat buckle collar should be snug, fit 2 fingers underneath, and cannot be pulled over the dog’s head. Tools like, slip leads, martingale collars, ect, prevent the dog from being able to slip out of them if fitted properly. For my training dogs, all dogs have a safety, which connects from the leash to a secondary collar in case the first one fails.
𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗴𝘀: Make sure your dog wears a collar with identification tags that include your contact information. Consider using a microchip for permanent identification.
𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Socialize your dog properly from a young age to help them feel more comfortable and less likely to run off when encountering new people, animals, or environments.
𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿: Understand your dog's behavior and triggers. If they are prone to certain behaviors that might lead to escaping, take preventive measures to address those behaviors.
By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of losing your dog or them running off. Remember, prevention is key, but it's also important to have a plan in case an escape does occur, make sure you have good photos of your dog all around, any noticeable markings etc.