Dogs That Escape
How to stop your dog from escaping and running away
There is nothing worse than if your dog gets out of the garden or yard without you knowing. When you realize they are gone, you will feel many different emotions like worry, anxiety, dread, panic, annoyance, and anger.
What to do if your dog escapes
When your dog escapes, then you aim to get it back as quickly as possible. A dog can get into much trouble very soon if it escapes, it can get run over by a vehicle, it can get lost, or it could get stolen. The important thing is not to panic and to act logically.
Search the Local Area
When a dog gets out, they might not go that far as they are not necessarily trying to run away from you. They could be very close to your home, enjoying sniffing some bushes and lampposts.
Search Walking Areas
If you have had your dog a while, you will likely have regular walks from home. Check these walks, as the dog is likely to follow routes they know.
Sexual Roaming
When you have a dog, you often bump into the other dog owners regularly. If you know their dog is in heat, for example, and you know where they live. Then it is a good idea to check that area.
Report it
If your initial search is unproductive, it is an excellent idea to let the local police station know and give them your details. They may not offer to help you. However, if your dog is found, the person who found it might contact the police first.
Social Media
It is a good idea to post on Facebook that you have lost your dog, as it is likely that many of your Facebook friends will be local. You may also be part of local dog group pages. The more people know, the better, and it will be more likely that your dog is spotted.
Things to help you find them
Depending on where you live, the first two-point below could be law.
Dog Tag
In most countries and areas, it is the law that when your dog is outside, that it must have a dog collar on with a tag. The tag should contain contact details of you, the owner, so that if a lost dog is found, then someone can contact you. You usually must put your surname and phone number on as a minimum. Do not put your dogs' name on it.
Chipped
Again, depending on where you live, someplace demand that dogs are chipped. Even if it is not law, then you should still do it. Chipping is a microchip that is placed under the skin of the dog. Vets can scan this, and it shows the dog's registration details, which will contain your contact details. So, if your dog is found and handed to the police, they may get a Vet to check it, and if it is chipped, they will then have your contact details.
GPS Tracker
This is not usually law anywhere but can be a helpful tool. If you have a dog that regularly escapes or tries to escape, or you leave them unattended in the garden or yard regularly. Then a GPS tracker could be a suitable safety protocol. You usually have a dog collar with a tracker on it. Then it links up to an app on your phone. If the dog does escape, you will be able to open the App on your phone and see where your dog has gone.
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How to secure your garden or yard
Sometimes it is just bad luck when your dog escapes, but to decrease the chances of this, you should have a secure garden or yard. This should be done before you buy the dog. Some rescue centers will do a home visit when you adopt a dog to ensure your garden and yard is safe.
Gates
Ensure gates have no gaps around them, under them, and through them that your dog can fit through. It is also good to have the gate have a bolt or locking mechanism and not just a handle. As some dogs can work out how to open handles.
Fence Gaps
Make sure you have a fence that your dog cannot squeeze through.
Under the fence
Many dogs can escape by digging under the wall. If you think this is possible, they block off this option with large rocks or chicken wire.
Over the fence
If the wall is not high enough, a dog could jump over it. Some dogs can jump surprisingly high. If you think this could be an issue, you will need to get a taller fence or extend the height with things like netting. You can also get stuff like rollers to put on top of the wall, making it harder for dogs to scale the wall.
Final thoughts
Most dogs try to escape from gardens and yards because of boredom and feeling of isolation. As a responsible dog owner, you should be aware of these things and know what is needed to prevent them. You can and should secure your garden and yard to prevent escapes, but often the best prevention is making it, so your dog doesn't want to escape.
Often just giving them a lot of love and affection, coupled with sufficient physical and mental enrichment, will ensure that the dog has no need or desire to leave the garden even if the gate was wide open.
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