Cam Schultz | Pets

It can be devastating when your dog runs away or becomes lost. After all, our pets are like members of the family. Every year, the incidence of lost dogs rises when warmer weather arrives. Understanding why and how dogs become separated from their families can be key to prevention and keeping them safe.
While every dog has a unique personality and temperament, many behaviors are universal and predictable. Here are the top factors leading to dogs becoming separated from their people:

Opportunity
Dogs are creatures of opportunity. No matter how much your furry friend loves you, when they see an open door or gate, they will seize the moment to make an easy escape. During summer, most houses have children or guests coming in and out frequently, and that increase in activity means doors and gates are being opened more frequently as well. While older pets may resist the temptation, for many, that open door is just too intriguing to resist.

Fear
The “fight or flight” instinct is hardwired into our pet’s brain. When frightened, a dog’s natural reaction is to bolt. Loud noises, unfamiliar places, strangers, fireworks, splashing and other things common to summer activity all serve to increase anxiety in dogs and increased rates of separation.
Predatory or pack instincts
No matter how domesticated, a dog will always retain some of their natural instincts.  When dogs are more inclined to “hunt,” they have an increased urge to get out and chase other wandering pets to satisfy that desire.

A need to roam
Wandering is a problem common in un-neutered male dogs and certain breeds like huskies and hounds. Some dogs have a higher desire to go out, mark their territory and experience a greater range of smells. If they do not have that opportunity provided to them at home, they are more likely to create it themselves at the first chance they get. If the dog is not neutered, the desire to find a mate also increases the desire to roam.

Boredom
Some dogs simply need more action than others. When they become bored, they will entertain themselves with mischief, which very often translates into an escape. For the pet, all of those noises and smells are just beyond the fence, and attaining reward is as simple as an exciting dig in the mud. This soon becomes habit, as it is a “self-rewarding” behavior.

Unfamiliar territory
During the summertime, pet owners often travel with their pets to visit friends or family in another city or state. As much as they love excitement, dogs are habitual creatures and crave the familiar to provide comfort and stability. Being in an unfamiliar place can create dual problems of exciting the desire to explore but increasing feelings of instability. Depending on the temperament of the dog, their solution might be to try to escape the current situation and get back home.

Easy steps for prevention
Of course we can’t completely prevent our dogs from becoming lost, short of making our home a fortress. We can, however, take steps to reduce the chances of them becoming separated.
One of the easiest ways of doing that is eliminating the opportunities. Make sure you have a secure gate and yard. If your dog digs, try placing decorative rock borders at the fence-line. Consider adding self-closing devices to doors and gates. Keep a leash handy by the door and use it to hold your dog when guests enter or leave. Avoid leaving the dog alone for extended periods of time.
Temper those natural urges by providing toys that satisfy the need to chase, hunt, or chew. Take your dog on walks and vary the course so it encounters new smells and sights. Consider providing time with other dogs to satisfy the need to be part a pack.
Finally, make sure your dog has a properly fitting harness and collar when you go in public. Take extra care when in unfamiliar places by assuring you are in control at all times and avoid situations that are too frightening or stressful.
Adding a few extra activities and taking additional care are small prices to avoid the anxiety and distress of being separated from your pet. We’d much rather see you stay together, happy and smiling.

—Cam Shultz is the owner of Awesome Doggies Mobile Pet Grooming. You may contact her at [email protected].