Lost Dogs

Losing your dog is devastating – particularly if it is a shy or scared dog who will run from people instead of approaching them. The challenge of successfully finding a lost dog is even more complex wwhen that dog is newly adopted. When a dog does not know his or her name, new neighborhood, or way to get home, he or she may get more panicked, running further from people who approach. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue put together these tips on how to prevent dog escapes -- and what to do if they happen.

Prevention

Prevention is key.

Some rescue dogs arrive in a new home scared and under-socialized, experiencing a home, a city, and all the noises that come with those things, for the first time. They don't know their names. They don't know the neighborhood. They don't know the scents in their immediate surroundings. Even a confident dog can hear a car backfire for the first time, get scared, and try to bolt. We consider the first 48 hours in a new home the most critical time to keep your new dog safe, but don't get lured into complacency after that time frame has passed.

  1. Be sure the collar is secure - Lucky Dog strongly recommends using a martingale--or no-slip--collar so your dog cannot back out of it or slip free. In fact, we require our adopters use these types of collars.
  2. Don’t trust a harness - Harnesses must be carefully adjusted as dogs can slip out of harnesses as easily as they do collars. If you are using a harness, be sure to either use a double clip leash so you can attach it to both the harness and the collar OR use two leashes until your dog has a 100% reliable "come" command.
  3. Keeping the leash on – We recommend keeping newly adopted dogs on leash in your home and yard for the first 48 hours. This does not mean that you have to hold the leash, but let them drag it around so that you can grab the dog should they try to bolt out a door or run from you in the yard/house. Never let your dog off leash in an unsecure environment until you have a 100% reliable “come” command. This means any yards should be fully fenced (6 feet high for jumping dogs), and dog parks should be double gated for a dog to run free. Even in secure environments use care when entering and exiting and let the dog drag their leash until you know how they will behave.
  4. Guard the doors (car and house) – We often see newly adopted dogs try to bolt out the door of the house or leap out the car door before you have a handle on their leash. The key is never to let them have access to a door – until you have developed a bond of trust or a secure hold on their leash.
    1. Crate your dog at all times when you leave your house – this will prevent he/she from slipping out the door when you are leaving or returning.
    2. Confine your dog to a secure room/area of the house when you have company and the door will be open often.
    3. Never leave the dog unsupervised in a yard – no matter how secure.We recommend having the dog drag his/her leash the first few times they are in the yard. (See above.)
    4. When transporting dogs in the car, secure the leash to something in the car (wrap it around a headrest or seat back) or use a seatbelt.
  5. Be Smart in Holding Your Leash -  We strongly recommend placing your hand through the loop at the end of the leash and wrapping the leash around your arm a few times to ensure you have a firm hold on your new dog.  We discourage retractable leashes because they are easy to drop and you have very little control over your dog.
  6. Do not let small children walk your dog without a parent also holding the leash.
  7. If friends or family or dog-walkers will be walking your dog make sure they are using the proper equipment and technique and be sure to warn them if the dog is a particular flight risk (if they are prey driven or particularly fearful of cars/loud noises). If it is the first time they have cared for your dog, consider asking them to leave the leash on at all times until the dog trusts them.
  8. Microchip - Microchipping is the only way to keep identification on your dog if they manage to get out of their collar. It is not, however, a substitute for keeping a collar with ID tag on your dog at all times. Please register your microchipped animal to yourself. Here is a good article on microchipping:  http://dogs.about.com/od/toyssupplies/a/microchipping.htm
  9. The Pet Protector - The Pet Protector can connect the finder of your dog with a live operator 24/7. If found that Pet Protector can contact the emergency contacts listed on your account if you are unreachable and authorize emergency vet care for your pet if your pet is found injured and you can’t be reached. Learn more at www.Help4pets.com

What To do If Your Dog Gets Lost

If you do lose your dog, the key is to act quickly. Lucky Dog suggests taking the following steps if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. Unfortunately, none of these steps will bring your dog back with certainty, but they are the best techniques we know.

  1. Get food to the last point of contact IMMEMDIATELY – Lost dogs often travel in a circle between spots they find food and water - the circle usually starts where they were lost. If there is no food there they will continue to roam. Feeding stations consist of a large pile of kibble with a can of cheap, smelly dog food (Alpo or tuna) dumped on top.
  2. Preserve a scent item – put a blanket or dog bed lining in a plastic bag in the freezer.  This scent item will help a dog tracker if one is needed.
  3. Make a flyer immediately. This is more important than just walking around looking for your dog. The goal is to start getting "sighting calls" so you can narrow down the area where your dog is running. We also recommend flyering WITH a dog -- just in case you see your missing pet. Dogs in flight mode are more likely to come up to other dogs than people.
    1. Flyers should include two telephone numbers in BIG PRINT – easy to read from a car driving by – and a good picture. Lost Dog Flyer Template [DOCX 38KB]
    2. FLYER EVERYWHERE - the area needs to be completely saturated with flyers in plastic sheet protectors (with the opening at the bottom so water doesn't get in). They should be on every telephone pole, at every intersection, along all walking paths -- basically everywhere people walk or drive. In the first day it is ideal if 500 - 1,000 flyers are posted.
  4. File a lost dog report with all area shelters, Petco Love Lost, etc. and then visit the shelters in person regularly. Call local veterinarians and pet stores; fax/email the flyer.
  5. Set up a Google map and track all sightings.
    • How to set up a Google Map:
      1. Go to maps.google.com - sign into your account or set one up.
      2. Search the address the dog is lost from. On the left hand side of the page under "Google Maps" logo, click on "my maps."
      3. Click "create new map," add a title, and list the map as a public. Then, click "edit," -- a hand, a balloon and a line will appear in the left corner.
      4. Click the "balloon" icon. This will turn your cursor into the balloon and allow you to place the balloon on the map.
      5. Each time you receive a sightings call, place a marker on the map with as much information as possible, including the time the dog was spotted.
      6. Add markers for feeding stations as well. The map will help you figure out where your dog is going so you can help get them home as soon as possible.
      7. Here is a sample map.
  6. Send out a Find Toto call.
    • Find Toto sends out amber alerts for lost pets. They provide exact addresses, date last seen, descriptions, pet's description/photo, best contact number, etc. Phone numbers are uploaded to their automated calling system where thousands of calls are seen in minutes.
    • In addition to phone alerts, they also offer mobile alerts, media and Google ad views depending on the payment package selected. Packages can be found here.
    • Note, alert hours are M-F 9-7 and Sat & Sun 10-6 so it is crucial to set up the alert same day to ensure that the alert goes out as promptly as possible.
    • More details can be found at www.findtoto.com.
    • Here is a sample script for a lost dog: "Lost pet alert from your neighbor Vanessa by FindToto.org. Their Dog Toto went mising on April 16th near Yellow Brick Rd. Toto is a Black YorkshireTerrier. If you have seen him or can help, please call 877-738-8686. You can also view your neighbors lost pet and their contact info at FindToto.org. Thank you!"
  7. Email any and all neighborhood listserves, Home Owners Associations (HOAs), area yahoo groups, newsletters.
  8. Create a Lost Dog Facebook Page (you can also use your own Facebook page) and post regularly with a Google map link so you can post sightings and have people call in to help. Tag your local lost and found dog Facebook pages (for example, Lost & Found Dogs DC Metro Area, Lost Dogs Virginia, Virginia -- Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets, Lost and Found Dogs -- Virginia, Lost Dogs Maryland, Southern Maryland Lost and Found Pets, Maryland -- Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets, Lost and Found Animals of Maryland) and do not hesitate to post to multiple groups (different groups have different rules and moderators are happy to help). These groups take this responsibility very seriously -- so please notify them when you find a dog. You can also share your flier on Twitter and Instagram.
    1. Go to facebook.com/pages/create.
    2. Pick Cause of Community.
    3. Title it "Current/Past Dog Name Lost Dog Page."
    4. Add a profile picture.
    5. Add a cover photo.
    6. Add a short description (include the dog's name, description, where they were lost, and how people can help).
    7. Share to your timeline, share to local lost dog pages and invite your friends.
    8. Ask your friends to share the page and invite their contacts.
    9. Update your page as sightings occur and to ask for help with tasks.
    10. Once the dog is found, update the page with details to reflect that "XX has been found."
  9. Maintain/Refresh Feeding Stations Regularly -- Feeding stations should be set up where there have been several sightings. This encourages the dog to stay in a particular area. Even if the sightings move away, maintain stations for at least a week after last activity. Refresh food at least once a day so the dog stays interested. Stinky food works best, for example, Tuna or Sardines.
  10. Call a dog tracker. Don't wait, because they can take days to schedule. For example Pure Gold Pet Trackers, Dogs Finding Dogs, and Lost Pet Professionals.

What To Do When Your Dog Is Sighted

The most important rule to understand when the lost dog you are looking for is sighted, is not to chase. By chasing the dog -- even a dog you knwo -- you scare it away from familiar ground. Chasing a lost dog in flight mode -- if they dont' respond and come to your voice -- will only make matters worse. Whatever you do, don't rush. This process can take over 45 minutes.

  1. Assume a non-threatening position.
    • You should be seated with your back to the dog, keeping the dog in sight using peripheral vision and soft glances over your shoulder.
    • Never look the dog straight on or make eye contact with the dog.
    • Move as little as possible, all movements should be slight.
    • All searchers who are within eyesight of the dog or who can see the dog should assume a non-threatening position and stop all movement.
    • Try to avoid cornering the dog if possible. The dog is in fight or flight mode -so avoid taking away its' option of flight.
    • Avoid trying to surround the dog -- this will make the dog edgy and it will be harder to get it calmed down enough to catch it.
    • A regular leash makes a good slip lead. Don't try and do collar adjustments after catching the dog. Use a slip lead to get the dog in a car or building and then make adjustments.
  2. Bring another dog into the area.
    • Ideally the search dog should be a dog that the lost dog knows.
    • Start by feeding treats to the dog you have with you to give the lost dog an example.
    • You want to toss high value treats to the dog, gently, so you don't spook the dog.
    • This should only be attempted by one person at a time.
    • All movement should be slow. Stay as low to the ground as possible -- you should try to remain facing away from the dog.

Traps

  1. Trapping is sometimes necessary to catch a very scared dog.
  2. You need to ensure that the dog is eating out of the feeding stations -- you can monitor this with a camera or sightings.
  3. The trap must be checked every 3-4 hours -- especially in inclement weather.
  4. You are also likely to catch a variety of wildlife. Be careful when releasing wildlife (Racoons, skunks, foxes etc. are considered part of the rabies vector and must be released near where they are trapped. Squirrels and oppossums are not rabies carriers, but they still bite hard).
  5. Do not open the trap outside -- move it (if possible) into an indoor location.

What To Do When Your Dog Is Found

  1. Take your dog to the vet immediately. You never know how long they have been without food or water (check for dehydration), whether they have internal injuries or any other problems not clearly visible.
  2. Take down the flyers.
  3. Update Facebook and any email lists on which you have posted.