Tips for Finding Lost Dogs

Losing a pet can be a devastating experience. More often than not, people fail to find their lost pets not because they did not look but because they did not know how to look. In trying to find a lost dog, how you look for the dog is very important.

Tips for finding your lost dog

These questions will help you get started and point you in a suitable direction

- Why did the dog get out?

A female on heat may go out in search of males. Males may wander in search of a female during the mating period. If your dog has been neutered, some dogs may catch something interesting happening and move out to investigate. Dogs will at times follow people they know without the people realizing.

- How did he get out?

Did be break away the leash when you were walking him? Or did he go out through the door and never came back?

- When did you notice the dog was gone?

This will help you get a time frame on when the dog could have disappeared. It may also give you an idea on how far the dog could have gone.

In finding lost dogs, time is essential. Immediately you realize the dog is missing, look around and ensure the dog is really gone.

1.  Call out his name, go out into the street and look.

The dog may get injured and will not be able to respond when you are calling. Look around your compound, under the car, in all the rooms. Do not leave out some places just because the dog wouldn’t normally go there, dogs will at times exhibit very strange behaviour.

2. Spread the word

Let everyone know your dog is missing. Go to your neighbours personally and let them know that your dog is missing. While doing this, you may also ask if a neighbour has seen your dog or when they last saw him. You can also ask the neighbours to keep a look out and give you a call if they see him.

Most times, when dogs run away, a neighbour may recognize the dog and take him in.

3. Start by walking, then drive

Dogs will normally be found near where you live. If your dog is wandering around the neighbourhood it will be easier to find him if you walk around. As the distance gets bigger, if you still haven’t found him, get in your car and start driving slowly while looking. You may also call use a dog whistle or clicker as such sounds can be detected easily by dogs.

4. Posters

Find a recent picture of your dog and make a poster with huge letters saying “Lost dog”. In the poster include your contact details. You may also give a short description of the dog. However avoid giving out too much info, this will help you sift through the many calls you are bound to get. Put up these posters in your neighbourhood, and in vet hospitals. You can also give the shelter people and those at the local SPCA a picture of your dog

If you don’t have a picture, search from the net, there are great dog pictures easily available on sites such as Flickr. Choose the picture of a dog that best resembles your dog and set it in your poster.

A reward is also a good motivator but do not mention the amount in the poster.

5. Animal shelters, vet clinics, rescue organisations, impound lots

When people pick up lost animals, they are likely to take them to any of these places. If your dog broke his leash, he may also have been picked up by animal control. Go to all these places and ask to see any lost animals that have been brought it. You may also want to consider looking at the dead ones just to be sure. It is a scary experience but it is also necessary.

6. Let your dog find you

Sometimes, despite doing your best you may not find your dog. Even after days of searching everywhere you may not be able locate your beloved dog. Dogs have been known to show up unharmed on their doorsteps even after months of being missing. Do not lose hope, miracles do happen!

Get the full scoop here: http://gooddogtrainingadvice.com/deliciousdogdiet.html