As much as we try to make sure our dog can’t get lost, it can happen and before we know it, we start to panic about what we can do.
Preventing the loss of a pet in the first place is your top priority. Have proper identification attached to your dog’s collar or even better have your vet microchip it. Check all fence and gate openings periodically and correct any problems immediately. Dogs are known to go through those little openings if the opportunity exists. Teach all family members to close the door behind them and make sure it is not left ajar.
Inside the house, dogs should be trained not to run away and then see you open a door to the outside. Open windows in the house or in a car are other ways to escape from dogs. It is not difficult for a dog to get through the window screen if a window is open, especially if it sees another dog or some other animal passing through the window.
Enrolling your dog in an obedience class will help you maintain control of your dog. Learning to “come” when called is a good way for the dog to come back to you when ordered. It is a paralyzing moment when you see your pet heading down the street into oncoming traffic and you cannot stop it with a “Come” and make it come back to you.
There is no foolproof way to ensure that your dog will never get lost. If it happens, here are some things you can do. Post signs in your neighborhood, main streets, schools, and veterinary clinics. Contact your local animal shelter and provide them with information about your pet, including a photo. Make regular visits to shelters as some only have stray dogs for a few
days before leaving them. Visit your local park and talk to people about your missing pet and ask them to keep an eye out for it. Be sure to give them a contact number in case they find your pet. Put a “lost” ad in your newspaper. Tell the kids in your neighborhood to watch out for your pet. Offer a reward for the pet.
You can log in to http://www.Petfinder.com and place a free “lost” dog ad and also check your ads for “found” pets placed by other people.
If your dog is wearing an identification collar or microchip, there is a greater chance that it will be returned to you.