Finding Lost Dogs

Finding Lost Dogs - Introduction 1

Unfortunately, dogs are more difficult to recover than cats. This is why microchips are so important! Dogs travel farther and are often picked up by rescuers who determine their fate. I've heard many stories of pets that were returned to their first families only after a vet scanned the dog or cat when he was brought in by an adopted family.

Finding Lost Dogs - Introduction 2

There are five main factors that will provide direction for your search:

1. Animal Behavior
2. The surrounding physical environment and circumstances
3. Weather
4. Owner Behavior
5. Rescuer Behavior

Lost dogs are often picked up, "rescued" and adopted, maybe even transported out of your immediate area. When looking for a lost dog, don't just contact your local shelter, but also distant shelters and all rescue groups and breed rescue groups in your area. Your shelter should have a list of these resources.

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 1

There are three zones to consider when approaching a panicked lost dog:

1. The Awareness Zone
2. The Alert Zone
3. The Action Zone

1. The Awareness Zone - An animal first senses that you are there. If you can see the dog, he already knows that you are there.

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 2

2. The Alert Zone - A dog's body language begins to change as you move closer. Using patience and correct body language can reduce this zone.

Caution! In The Alert Zone, you should stop, avoiding advancing forward, and talk normally in various tones to the dog. As the dog becomes accustomed to your presence, you can advance a foot or two. Never walk straight at the dog instead shuffle sideways with your hip and shoulder facing the dog.

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 3

3. The Action Zone - The dog will react - either fight or flight. It may be possible for you to work your way close enough to your dog so that he will suddenly recognize you (through scent, sound, time, etc.) and that you won't trigger his fight or flight response. If attempts at getting close to your panicked dog fail, you may need to resort to setting a large humane dog trap. Such traps are available at www.animal-care.com.

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 4

How a dog behaves at home and towards strangers, as well as its appearance, will influence how far he will travel when lost and how you should conduct your search. I've listed the main types of dogs below, with some tips for conducting your search.

• Gregarious Dogs and Pure Breeds
• Elderly, Disabled and Small Dogs
• Aloof Dogs
• Xenophobic Dogs
• Aggressive Dogs

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 5

Gregarious Dogs
Depending on terrain and population, these dogs are usually found close to home. Some of their characteristics are:

• Wiggly butt, friendly dogs who like attention
• Clean, classic pet dogs like retrievers, shelties and border collies
• Rare breeds
• Inclined to go up to the first person who calls them
• Likely to be quickly "adopted" into new homes

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 6

Elderly, Disabled and Small Dogs
Generally, these dogs don't travel very far. They tend to be recovered quickly, often ending up within a few blocks of their escape point. In your search, consider:

• Size matters - people are more likely to pick up small dogs than larger dogs
• Target your search to a ¾- to 1-mile radius of your home

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 7

Aloof Dogs
Unfortunately, these dogs are often not recovered for weeks or months after their disappearance. Aloof dogs are:

• Wary of strangers
• More likely to initially avoid human contact
• Likely to appear as if homeless, abused or unloved due to thinness, injuries, etc.
• Captured only after they have overcome fears or become very hungry

Caution! Aloof dogs are easily seen as "abused." Indicate the fact that your dog is wary on your posters.

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 8

Xenophobic (Fearful) Dogs
These dogs have developed fearful temperaments from genetics and/or puppyhood experiences. Because of this, they are more likely to:

• Travel farther and be at a higher risk of being hit by cars
• Actively seek quiet spaces and areas to hide
• Respond to other dogs
• Appear "abused"
• Run from their own owners when panic stricken

Rescuers and may even refuse to contact owners because of the dog's temperament.

Finding Lost Dogs - Animal Behavior 9

Aggressive Dogs
These dogs share many characteristics with xenophobic dogs.

• Breeds like pit bulls and Rottweilers are seen as aggressive regardless of their actual temperament
• Fewer people are willing to rescue them thus they're at risk of traveling further
• These dogs often run blindly and can travel for miles before intervention
• Often seek out areas (wooded forests, cemeteries, creeks, etc.) where they can avoid all human contact

Finding Lost Dogs - Environment & Circumstances 1

The circumstances around a dog bolting will impact your search.

• Dogs following a scent are often found a short distance away, meandering and doubling back for that scent
• Dogs running from loud noises or environmental shocks may go for several miles
• Dogs can fall down wells, into pools, or become trapped inside sheds or garages. Conduct a thorough search of your own property (and ask your neighbor's permission to search their yards)

Finding Lost Dogs - Environment & Circumstances 2

Environmental factors also direct your search.

• Dogs in residential areas will not go as far as those in rural areas.
• Dogs in urban areas will follow "the path of least resistance" -fences and barriers
• In urban areas, dogs are more likely to be found close to where they were last seen
• Natural features like rivers, brush, and cliffs can indicate the dog's path and direction

NOTE: Dogs lost at night may travel farther before being seen.

Finding Lost Dogs - Owner Behavior 1

What To Do:

• Remaining logical and positive.
• Be proactive. Microchip your dog and enroll with HomeAgain
• Paper a 1-mile radius as soon as you realize your pet is missing. Distribute your flyers through HomeAgain's network
• Notify HomeAgain (online or call 1.888.466.3242) of your lost dog
• Search local organizations and area pet events
• Contact Missing Pet Partnership for help from a certified pet detective

Finding Lost Dogs - Owner Behavior 2

What not to do:
Don't wait and see. No pet comes home like Lassie.
Don't focus on the wrong theories. Dogs are rarely stolen for research labs.
Don't Give Up!
Don't waste your time. (Trust me, none of the following work.):

• Walking barefoot to leave a scent.
• Spraying urine in a bottle.
• Stapling dirty underwear to a tree.

Finding Lost Dogs - Owner Behavior 3

Avoid Scams!
If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Always be cautious when money is involved.

• Never pick up your pet by yourself, or without at least telling others the exact details
• Don't send money to someone who says they have your pet but need cash to return him to you
• Anyone can claim to be a pet detective and charge a fee. Locate a reputable pet detective through your local shelter or Missing Pet Partnership

Finding Lost Dogs - Rescuer Behavior

To find a lost dog, be aware of the perceptions of others who may find it. Factor those into your retrieval strategy.

• Xenophobic or skittish dogs should wear an additional "Temperament Tag" that states: "I'm Afraid, Not Abused"
• Unattended dogs in rural areas typically assumed "dumped" rather than "lost." Communicate to a larger area that your dog was lost
• Collars can come off. Microchip your dog to avoid people assuming he is a stray

Finding Lost Dogs - General Tips 1

• The first place you may think of to search - the local shelter - is typically the last place that someone who finds a dog will take it. The shelter is an important place to look, but don't expect to find your pet there on the first visit. Plan to return there several times over the next weeks, even months
• Check adoption sites (www.petfinder.com) in case your dog has been put up for adoption
• Be prepared to respond to several sightings

Finding Lost Dogs - General Tips 2

• Place ads in newspapers within your search area
• Check listings in these same papers
• Use a local Lost Pet website
• DON'T GIVE UP. Once you lose hope, you reduce your chances of finding your dog:
  • It may take weeks, months or even years to find a lost dog. Your dog is somewhere! It did not vanish off the face of the earth
  • While your dog may have been transported far away from you, always believe you will be reunited