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How to Prevent Escapes...and What To Do If Your Dog Gets Away
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"Help! My dog's gone!" All too often, PAW volunteers
receive frantic calls from people when their beloved
dog escapes. Even if it hasn't happened to you, it
could -- so be prepared.
Despite their love for their families, most dogs --
given the right opportunity -- can't wait to escape.
Why not? There are all kinds of exciting things that
induce a dog to bolt, if only for an adventure or the
thought of a good chase of the deliveryman, the
neighbor's cat or a passing squirrel. An open door is
an invitation throughout the life of the dog.
The most common ways a dog can escape a home include:
* Through an improperly latched door that blew open
with a gust of wind or didn't close properly (so be
sure to close doors all the way and repair doors and
locks as needed);
Although the risk of flight is high at the time of
adoption, adopters should not relax as time goes on!
Examples of when an potential escape moments
throughout the life of the dog include
children's/adult parties or visits, holidays, and
construction, repair or delivery to the home. In
short, an escape can happen on a normal day or special
occasion when an adopter's attention is diverted for a
second.
First, make sure your dog is always wearing an ID with
your up-to-date phone numbers and address. More and
more people are using microchips to ID their dogs, and
some use tattoos. However, it is still wise to keep a
collar ID on dogs as well.
What can you do if you're expecting visitors? The
easiest thing is to safely contain the dog in his dog
crate or in a separate room. (For details, see the
web articles listed at the end of this article.)
You can teach older children to hold a dog's collar
and to put a dog in a sit/stay position at the first
sign of entry or exit from the home. Children
understand the concept of a protecting a baby brother
or sister; and they will be able to think about the
dog's safety in some ways. However, adults must not
expect a child can hold a dog back if the dog wants to
run.
People presume that older dogs will not escape. In
many respects, senior animals are just as much at
risk, due to diminished senses. Older dogs have been
known to wander off. Often they are so quiet that they
are not missed right away.
Many people feel a dog will understand the home's or
neighborhoodUs boundaries or the risk of a car in its
path. However, most dogs run with wild abandon, and
will travel farther and more quickly than you'd
imagine. Dogs do not differentiate between a dirt
path, driveway and a multi-lane highway, and they have
no concept of danger. We hear of fortunate few
returned dogs who wandered miles within a few hours.
Most likely, dogs who escape and have time to travel
will not be found or returned. The longer the absence
is not noted, the less likely the dog will be found.
One of the worst times for escape are during
vacations. Your pet is at risk whether you take him
along on the trip, or if you leave him behind with a
petsitter or at a relative's home.
If you travel with your pet, "pit stops" are risky.
So are campgrounds or vacation homes. If youUre not
sure about the use of training collars, double-leash
your dog using a halter with an ID tag with your
numbers on it. (It really helps to have a cell phone,
and to list that number on the ID tag.) Please be
aware that dogs can back out of a cloth collar even if
snug against the neck!
If you leave your dog with a petsitter or relative,
please review your routines and safety practices.
Make sure you have posters and contact information
ready whether you take your dog or leave him behind.
It takes a second for your dog to escape. Keep in mind
shelters have only a limited number of days to hold
animals before they are euthanized to allow room for
other strays.
There is no safe time for off-leash walking, but
that's particularly true when in a strange place.
Many dogs are lost each year when people let their
dogs off-leash while hiking or at the beach. The dog
does not know where he is and has less or no
familiarity with the site. Don't fall for the concept
that dogs seek freedom to explore. Sure, the dog may
enjoy the freedom -- but he could get hurt, get in a
fight with another animal, jump on or injure a
passerby who may even decide to sue you. And you may
never see your dog again.
What should you do when your dog escapes? The best
thing is to be prepared NOW. Create a poster or flyer
with the dog's photo, his name and your phone numbers
including mention of a reward. If your dog is lost,
distribute it door-to-door and post wherever possible.
Also have the name of local animal control and humane
society phone numbers handy to give a family member,
friend or neighbor to call while you search.
Take these steps without delay:
* If you spot your dog, DO NOT CHASE HIM! If your
dog is enjoying his adventure, he will think you are
playing and will run from you. The best chance for
you to safely get his attention is to stop running,
drop to the ground and call your dog. If you and your
dog took obedience classes and he responds to
"sit/stay!", you have the added advantage of
potentially stopping his escape because he remembers
his training.
* Also see the recent Dog Tip about Lost Pets (the
webpage is listed at the end of this article).
Remember, cars are as likely to be escaped as a home.
A car ride can end in disaster, because a dog will
jump from a window (often dogs can slip through a
narrow opening). Or an excited dog will bolt from a
car when the door opens. And dogs can easily jump out
of pick-up trucks.
Lastly, if you own a convertible, keep the top up or
leave your dog at home!
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Thanks to Moira Gingery for submitting this article.
For more information, see the following articles:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HowtoFindaLostPet.php
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Travel.php
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Use those Spay/Neuter Pets Postage Stamps!
The Spay/Neuter stamps, which feature a shelter dog
and cat, have been very popular nationwide. May has
been designated "Pledge to Use the Spay/Neuter Stamps"
Month -- to help spread the message and to encourage
the U.S. Postal Service to reprint the stamps. So
please use them on all of your letters, bills and
packages.
For more Dog Tips and other information about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at: www.paw-rescue.org
To be added or removed from this e-mail list, contact
Robin at Tierneydog@yahoo.com
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
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| Last Updated: February 20, 2004 (LET) | PawSupport | |