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We need our dogs to get by every day, and losing a dog is among the worst things that can happen to any pet owner, especially if you lose your furry friend due to your carelessness or mistake.
Whether you’re running late or letting your dog run off-leash in the forest, leaving your dog behind can be embarrassing and stressful at best or downright heartbreaking at worst.
The following tips to avoid losing your dog will help pet owners keep their dogs close even when they don’t mean to let them stray too far.
Pets usually don’t wander far from home, but it’s easy to escape through an open gate or hole in a fence.
If your furry friend is unleased, keep it enclosed in a yard. Fencing will keep your pet safe and secure, and it’ll also make him feel like he has more freedom. After all, why would he want to run away if his backyard is an awesome playpen?
Even when you take him out for walks, make sure he always has a leash with you. Whether he’s on his lead or not, always be aware of where your dog is —this will help prevent accidents like falling into a river or being hit by a car.
Everyone knows what a dog license looks like. Make sure your dog is wearing one at all times, especially when you’re not home. If your furry friend gets out of your backyard and into someone else’s or runs away from their backyard, a unique license number could bring them back to you faster than anything else. If you live in an area where identification tags are required by law, make sure yours is up-to-date.
If you don’t have a license tag for your dog, now might be good to get one. After all, it only takes seconds for Fido to run off while you aren’t looking. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Have you ever had your dog break free from its leash, run away, and have trouble finding them? This might happen more often than you think! Make sure that your dog’s leash is clipped to yourself or another individual at all times.
Although it is not easy to stay with your dog when they are leashed, it is much easier than trying to find them after they get lost. If you want to let your dog roam freely around a certain area, make sure there are no hazards before letting them go.
It is also recommended that if you do let your dog off of their leash, keep a whistle on hand so that you can blow it and call them back to you if they do run away.
When it comes to keeping your dog safe, one of your first moves should be to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Additionally, microchipping is a great way for you and others in your community to make sure that lost pets can be returned home quickly.
Microchipping is easy, fast, and relatively inexpensive. Also, don’t rely solely on microchips to keep your pet safe—keep tags on all animals.
Tags with updated contact information will ensure that people know how to reach you if they find your animal companion wandering alone or getting separated from each other.
Dogs are social animals, and they love playing with other dogs. If your dog is not leashed, he or she can become distracted in an instant by a loose dog and run away from you. Make sure that your pup is leashed before letting him meet new doggy friends.
It’s best to be cautious of allowing your dog to interact with other pets while on walks, as some cats and smaller dogs may be aggressive toward larger breeds.
To avoid your dog running away or straying when you take it for a walk, train it with simple recalls. Call your dog back to you repeatedly, rewarding each time with a treat and positive praise. In time, your dog will learn that every time he hears his name, he should come to you without fail.
Once he has mastered these at home, move on to practice in parks and areas where other dogs may be present. If your dog doesn’t respond, don’t chase after him – it could make him even more likely to run off next time. Instead, wait for him to return before giving him a treat and praising him.
The key is consistency; if you always reward your dog for coming back when called (even if he didn’t want to), he’ll soon realize that returning is always worth his while!
With a GPS tracker and accompanying collar, you can ensure that your dog stays close to home. If your furry friend ever gets lost, you can locate them through a smartphone app.
GPS trackers are beneficial if you often travel with your pet—if so, it’s worth investing in one that offers global service. This way, even if your dog goes missing while you’re on vacation overseas, they will still be able to be found!
Be sure to do your research before choosing a product; not all GPS trackers work well for dogs. Also, keep in mind that many require an additional monthly subscription fee.
As a dog owner, you want your pet to be safe and happy. However, these beautiful companions require a big commitment in terms of time, energy, and finances. Sometimes, when life gets in the way, we can lose sight of our four-legged friend. If you don’t want to be part of these statistics, follow our tips to avoid losing your dog.
