My dog ran away and never came back!
This is a standard concern dog owners have and it can happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes, a dog will wander away and then return after going missing for a few days. However, it can be a nerve-wracking experience.
Some of the reasons why a dog gets lost include:
- Lost Scent Trail
- Got Trapped and/or Attacked Outside
- Was Picked Up By Stranger
These are common reasons why a dog runs away and then doesn’t appear to come back. If you are in this position, it’s time to take action and start moving towards a new strategy. This article will guide you in the right direction on what to do next.
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Tips For Finding a Dog That Ran Away
Tip #1 – Search Nearby
The first thing you are going to do is begin searching nearby.
If it has been a long time, you may already have done this. However, the goal isn’t to randomly search around the neighborhood hoping you are going to find a runaway dog. It won’t work out as well as you hope, especially after the 24-hour window passes.
Studies show most dogs are found within the first 24-48 hours.
Keeping this in mind, you will have to focus on expanding your search strategy to the best of your ability. This includes paying attention to smaller parts of the area that may have been ignored during the first phase of searching.
When you do it again, the goal is to go through these places and look carefully. It’s always important to keep your dog in mind while doing this (i.e. where would they go?).
The benefits of doing this include:
- Peace of Mind
- Thorough Research Process
- Creates a Longer List of Places to Go Through
Do this patiently and look to get others involved in the process such as your family and/or friends. By doing this, you are going to have a far better chance of seeing tangible results.
Continue to scan outwards and you are going to start finding new spots that could possibly lead to your dog.
Tip #2 – Target the Dog’s Favorite Scents/Places
If you are shouting, “My Dog Ran Away And Never Came Back!” this means it is something that has led you to become defeated.
However, the goal is to continue pushing forward because all it takes is one smart decision to find your dog around the area. Dogs are resourceful and will fend for themselves for as long as possible.
Your goal should be to start creating a short list of places where the dog may have run towards in the area.
This can include:
- The Local Dog Park
- Potential Food Hotspots
- Play Areas the Dog Knows
A good tip is to start thinking about looking towards where you walk during the day. This is a route the dog is going to be aware of and that might be a sort of “comfort zone” for the pet.
Sometimes, you are going to start finding clues along the way as you are walking along the route from one end to the other. Look around and see whether or not there are potential attractions your dog may have run towards on this specific route.
It’s a good starting point as dogs love certain scents and will veer towards them naturally.
Tip #3: Spread the Word
You have to take the time to spread the word in your neighborhood.
This may have been done beforehand, but you are going to need to do it again. This is a refresher as time tends to pass by and people forget what may have been fresh in their minds before. This is not the time to give up!
Your mindset is going to determine whether or not you get your dog back. Always keep this in mind when pursuing the search.
The benefits include:
- Increased Awareness
- New Eyes on the Flyers
- Increased Range
In a lot of situations, you are going to start to see new people find out about the lost dog. This is a wonderful starting point. You may end up finding someone that has a clue or may have relevant information pertaining to the lost dog.
Continue to look around and also try to set up flyers that can be handed out to people.
This is key information and a good way to spread awareness about your dog. By doing this regularly, you are going to gain traction and people will remain vigilant when it comes to where the dog is around town.
Tip #4: File a Lost Pet Report (Expand Further!)
You will have to start thinking about filing a lost pet report.
This is something the average dog owner is going to do, but it’s about how you pursue the issue with the relevant authorities. In most cases, you are going to assume it is okay to go to the local department and call it a day.
This is the wrong approach to take!
Instead, you want to increase your net and try to at least aim for a 50-60 mile radius from your home. This is going to be a large enough net to see whether or not your dog has run to another part of the area.
It’s natural to assume the dog won’t have gone far, but that is not always the case. There are times when a dog has the energy to continue roaming in the opposite direction and head to other towns/cities.
You have to try your chances at seeing whether a lost pet report in another department may get the job done.
It is going to do no harm to you and may be a great way to see where your dog has run away to from home.
Final Thoughts
Shouting “My Dog Ran Away And Never Came Back” is a tough thing many dog owners go through, but it’s important to keep your chin up and work hard on the search. This is all you can do and it is never a good thing to give up.
A lot of dog owners give up too early.
Look at the tips listed here and start making changes to your strategy. This is going to help your search and make sure things work out as planned. Otherwise, you are not going to find your lost dog and that is going to become a burden on you.
For those who do end up finding their dog, please make sure to set up a dog collar such as the Whistle GO as soon as possible. These trackers make it a lot easier to find where your dog is and it is something you should be using.
Making the right choices will go a long way for those who want to see a positive change and find their lost dog.
For more on dogs, please go through these articles – reasons a dog wants to go outside with you, reasons a dog is terrified of going out at night, reasons a dog is scared of walks, quality brush for a shedding dog.