Dogs are important members of the family who provide companionship and comfort, giving their owners a sense of purpose in life. Just like young kids, they may get lost, creating great fears in their owners.
Thus, begin by acknowledging that you may lose your furry friend at one point and take precautions to ensure it doesn’t happen.
Before placing precautions in place, understand what may cause your dog to run away. For instance, your dog is more likely to run away when placed in new surroundings, when they encounter loud noises, or when they’re lonely. Hence, read more for ways to keep a closer eye on your dog.
- Microchip Your Furry Friend
Microchipping is one of the best ways of getting your dog back safely in case they go missing. When you choose to microchip your dog, the chip will be implanted on the back of their neck below the skin in a quick and safe procedure.
The microchip will be permanent with an identification number unique to your dog that can be detected with a scanner. If your dog goes missing, the microchip will be scanned, and you’ll be contacted.
In addition, you can use the microchip to challenge the ownership in case of having your dog stolen thanks to the contact information provided. Remember to keep your contact details up-to-date for any emergencies.
- Neuter Your Dog
The force to mate in male dogs is very powerful. Once it senses that a female is on heat, it’s more likely to run away. Unneutered male dogs find it hard to resist the urge and might be driven to seek a mate with or without a fence.
By spaying and neutering your dog, you’ll be preventing both overpopulation and reducing the chances of your dog wandering and getting lost. In addition, your dog will be calmer and more reliable as neutering could prevent other behavioral problems.
- Teach Simple Commands
Dogs’ attention span tends to be very short. It’s so easy for them to get distracted easily and take off, especially when they’re at a park or out for a walk. But if you teach them some simple commands such as come and stay, it’ll make it easier to have control.
These commands are best taught to dogs when they’re younger as they are more receptive than as they get older. Once your dog recognizes you as a leader, they’ll listen to you more which will keep them safe. In addition, the ‘sit’ command makes your dog much calmer and easier to control and be a step closer to learning other harder commands.
- Get a Collar with ID Tags
Dogs can be easily spooked. In most cases, they’ll run away due to fear, no matter how well-behaved they may be. As a result, using a collar will help control their movement and minimize the chance of losing them in difficult situations.
But a collar won’t be as efficient, and you’ll have some things to consider, such as a collar with ID tags. Additionally, dog ID tags can be a great way to keep your dog safe as you can engrave the dog information. Some of the information includes your dog’s name and your phone number, which will be contacted in case of any emergency.
When your dog is found roaming around, most people will be willing to help it find its home and prevent it from ending up in a shelter. In addition, you can have a GPS tracker incorporated in the collar, which gives you a way to track your dog at all times.
- Seal And Secure Your Surroundings
Imagine you’ve just decided to let your furry friend into the yard to run around. Suddenly, you get distracted and once you turn around, they aren’t there anymore. A dog on the loose may be a scary situation and one of the most common ways of losing a dog into the neighborhood by accident.
When dogs are left in the yard with nothing to do, they get bored and may choose to take a walk or chase squirrels to the point of failing to stop. To prevent your dogs from leaving your yard, you can begin by extending your fence. You may do so by making it lean in to stop your dog from leaving.
Next, consider installing a coyote roller with long metal bars that won’t give your dog a foothold. Alternatively, you can plant a hedge along the inside of the fence line, making it their happy place. Every time you let your dog into the backyard, ensure that it’s at your eyesight to avoid losing them. Moreover, remember to always supervise your dogs by playing fetch, finding time to hang out with them through simple dog exercises.
Even if you put up a fence around your yard to prevent your dog from leaving, you’ll still need to keep it in great shape. With prolonged exposure to different elements, fences tend to get worn out over time. Hence, creating weak links that make it easy for dogs to get through. As a result, you’ll need to walk around and check out any derailing features. You should also maintain your fence once in a while to keep it in tip-top shape.
- Pay Attention To Your Dog
Being attentive is one key that always prevents accidents like losing your dog. By being attentive, they’ll be low chances of forgetting little things like attaching a collar the right way on your dog.
As a result, pay attention when in unfamiliar locations to avoid distractions that lead to accidents. In addition, every time you visit a pet-free store, ensure that your dog is tied tightly to any supporting beams. These beams may be a bike rack, parking meter, or fences.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the world can be a chaotic place with so much danger and environmental factors that may be out of your control, especially when it comes to your dog. Although you may not be able to control everything, having a plan for the worse may just be the thing that keeps your canine friend safe and sound.
Keep your dog indoors if you’re leaving or at night when going to bed to avoid giving them a chance to leave. For small dogs like chihuahuas, avoid putting them in the yard alone as wild animals such as coyotes can harm them.
