One of dog parents' biggest fears is that their precious dog will run off and either get lost, stolen, injured, or killed. It is estimated that one in three pets will go missing in their lifetime. That’s approximately 10 million missing pets in the US annually, many of which never make it home.
You can do several things to reduce your dog's chances of running away and increase its chances of returning; however, it is best to do them before your dog runs off.
Dogs are sentient, living beings with instincts to explore, chase, and flee in the interest of survival. Therefore, no training or fence will ever provide a 100% guarantee that a dog will never escape or always come back to you when called. Anyone who tells you otherwise is egregiously arrogant, stupendously ignorant, or both.
WHEN – A dog may bolt through an open door at your home or auto when you are not paying attention. It may escape from your yard when a gate is left ajar or by digging under or jumping over the fence or by blasting through your shock-collar containment system. Dogs have even been known to jump through a home's windows when left open or break through the glass or screen in desperation to get out. The other day, I saw a dog jump through the open window of a moving car. Dogs have also been known to bolt out of a vehicle after an accident. When you are out and about with your dog, its collar/harness or leash may break or your dog may lunge unexpectedly, pulling the leash out of your hand.
WHY – Dogs may run off for many reasons. They may be frightened, angry, or frustrated by something a person or another animal has done, or it may simply be reacting to an environmental event, such as a loud noise like fireworks. More pets in the US run off on the 4th of July than on any other day during the year. A dog may also run off because of its instinct to reproduce. More than one male dog has run off when a neighbor's dog was in heat. Your dog also has an instinct to chase moving things such as a squirrel, a child, or a car. Sadly, your dog may have separation anxiety and may escape to go in search of you. In other words, there are many reasons that you cannot control which may cause your dog to run off.
Below are several things you can do to minimize the chance your dog will run off and maximize your chance of having it return to you when you call it.
ALWAYS
• Be kind to your dog. Your dog is cognitively and emotionally equivalent to a human toddler. Punishing a dog in any way will likely damage the trust between you and your dog and may become an additional incentive to run or stay away.
• Have your dog microchipped. A microchip will enable a lost dog to be identified and returned to you, provided you pay the fee and update your contact information. I also recommend you have your vet check for the microchip's presence annually.
• Obey leash laws. They exist to keep your dog and others safe.
• Meet your dog's physical and emotional needs. Failing to meet our dog’s needs is a significant cause of behavioral issues. It may also cause a dog to run off and look for a place where its needs will be met.
• Teach your dog to enjoy being caught and gently restrained by a collar or harness. Catching and restraining a “naked” dog is much more difficult.
• Teach your dog to come when called even when distracted.
• Work with an accredited force-free trainer who can help you and your dog with all these things. Using force, pain, or fear to train these behaviors will be especially counterproductive and inhumane.
At Home and Away
• Ensure your dog wears a collar or harness with an ID tag. It will be much more difficult for someone to catch your dog if the dog is not wearing one which could save the dog’s life.
• Do not leave your dog unattended in your yard even if it is fenced if your dog feels insecure or interested in something outside the fence. Check on the dog regularly.
• Before taking your dog with you, ask yourself, “Does my dog need to be here?” If you need to leave your dog alone for even a minute, it will be safer and possibly happier at home.
• NEVER leave your dog alone in an unfamiliar area or your car, unless it is an emergency. A dog can be stolen, teased, or taunted, creating emotional trauma and future behavioral problems.
Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB)and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of thePet Professional Guild (PPG), where he serves on the Board of Directors and Steering Committee and chairs the Advocacy Committee. He is also a founding director of Pet Advocacy International (PIAI). In addition, Don produces and co-hosts The Woof Meow Showpodcast,available at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts/,the Apple Podcast app, and Don's blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.The opinions in this post are those of Don Hanson.