Your dog went missing: what do you do?
The holidays are a time for gathering with friends and family. But along with that comes a lot of commotion that your dog might not be used to and may find scary or overwhelming. Sadly, many dogs go missing around the holidays.
The Retrievers is a nonprofit organization that helps find lost dogs. They’ve taken on incredibly tough cases and helped many dogs return home against the odds.
If your dog goes missing, here are some tips from The Retrievers to help get your dog home quickly and safely.
First, place some high-value food at the place where your dog went missing, along with a scent article (such as your dirty socks). Drive around and look for your dog, and ask neighbors if they have seen him or her. Be very quiet – don’t call out your dog’s name.
Contact your local impound facility or shelter, police department, and veterinarians. Report your dog missing on social media, including Next Door and other community pages. Be sure to post on Lost Dogs of America, which provides online posting services through their organizations in nearly every state. This ensures that if your dog is found, the finder knows how to find you.
Make signs and post them at intersections – they’re incredibly helpful in reuniting missing dogs.
Photo provided by The Retrievers
If you see your dog, remain very calm, and most importantly, do not chase them! Make yourself small – lie or sit on the ground, and use positive words like “treat”. Avoid making eye contact with your dog, which they can perceive as threatening. The longer a dog is missing, the more likely they are to become fearful and go into survival mode. They sometimes begin to perceive all people as a threat – even their own family members.
If you are not able to retrieve your dog the same day, you’ll need to set up a feeding station using good-smelling food, and restock it every day. This helps prevent your dog from leaving the area. Ask neighbors not to chase your dog if they spot him or her.
Review the Action Plan on The Retrievers’ website, which provides a checklist and helpful resources.
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Prevention
During the holidays, be careful when people are entering and leaving your home. Use baby gates to keep your dog secure, or place them in another room until the commotion in your home settles. Be sure the gates of your outdoor fences are fully closed, especially when guests use them.
Have your dog microchipped, and make sure your phone number is on their collar. GPS devices such as AirTags can also be helpful.
And one more tip for winter if you live in a cold climate: Watch the snowbanks that pile up along your fence. Some dogs walk up them and right over the fence.
Special thanks to Ron Wenaas of The Retrievers for sharing his expertise!