What to do if your dog runs off and why you shouldn't wait for an emergency

What to Do If Your Dog Goes Missing on a Walk and How to Prevent It Using Best Behaviour Dog Training’s Ultimate Recall Classes

Dogs are beloved members of our families, and taking them on walks is a great way to give them exercise and mental stimulation. However, it can be terrifying if your dog suddenly goes missing during a walk. Whether they get distracted by a squirrel, slip out of their collar, or run off due to fear or excitement, it’s important to stay calm and know what to do in these situations. In this blog, we’ll explore what steps you should take if your dog goes missing and how Best Behaviour Dog Training’s Ultimate Recall Classes and Lifelong Training Puppy and Dog Training Classes can help prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

What to Do If Your Dog Goes Missing on a Walk

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation The first thing to remember is to stay calm. Panicking can cloud your judgment and make it harder to think clearly. Take a deep breath and try to assess what happened. Did your dog slip away from their lead? Did they take off after something in the distance? Identifying what happened can help you take the right steps to find them.

2. Call Your Dog’s Name Start by calling your dog’s name in a calm, reassuring voice. Often, dogs that are lost or distracted may hear your voice and come back. Keep your tone friendly and inviting—avoid shouting, as this may cause your dog to become scared or further disoriented.

3. Look for Familiar Landmarks If you’re in an unfamiliar area, try to remember any landmarks that can help you navigate the area. Look for trees, fences, or notable buildings that your dog might recognize. Dogs tend to retrace their steps, so checking familiar spots can be a good strategy.

4. Enlist Help Ask people nearby if they’ve seen your dog. The more eyes you have looking for them, the better. If you're in a park, check in with park officials or fellow dog owners. If you’re near a busy area or street, you may want to immediately contact local authorities to help search or block off certain areas.

5. Contact Local Shelters and Vets If your dog doesn’t return quickly, it’s time to reach out to local shelters, dog warden, and nearby veterinary clinics. Provide them with a description of your dog, including any unique features, and leave your contact information so they can get in touch if your dog is brought in.

6. Use Technology If your dog is microchipped, make sure the details are up to date with the chip provider. Additionally, some people use GPS collars or tracking devices for their dogs, which can help locate them more quickly.

7. Stay in the Area If you can, wait around the area where your dog went missing. It’s possible that they’ve simply wandered off and may return after a while. Stay calm, avoid leaving the area too soon, and continue searching in a methodical way. Leaving an item of clothing in the area and asking family to bring yours dogs belongings can help them scent their way back. If you need to leave the area go back regularly and start to raise awareness through social media and groups that specialise in lost dogs eg FIDO

How to Prevent Your Dog from Going Missing Using Best Behaviour Dog Training’s Ultimate Recall Classes

Preventing your dog from going missing is far easier when you have a strong recall. Having a dog that reliably comes back when called is essential for their safety and well-being. That’s where Best Behaviour Dog Training’s Ultimate Recall Classes come in.

What Are Ultimate Recall Classes?

Ultimate Recall Classes are designed to help your dog develop a strong, consistent recall response to their name or a specific cue, no matter the distractions. These classes are ideal for dogs of all ages and breeds, providing essential training to ensure your dog always comes back when called.

Why Ultimate Recall Training Is Essential

1. Builds Reliability: Dogs often get distracted on walks, whether by scents, sounds, or other animals. Recall training teaches them to ignore distractions and focus on you, which ensures they’ll respond to your command in any situation.

2. Improves Safety: A solid recall command can prevent dangerous situations. If your dog is about to run into a busy street or get too close to a dangerous animal, being able to call them back immediately can save their life.

3. Boosts Bonding: Recall training reinforces the bond between you and your dog. It encourages positive communication, builds trust, and makes walks more enjoyable for both of you.

4. Offers Long-Term Results: Best Behaviour Dog Training focuses on creating lasting results. By reinforcing recall behaviour over time, you’ll be able to trust that your dog will return to you when called, no matter how much time passes.

Lifelong Training Puppy and Dog Training Classes: A Preventative Approach

Even after completing a recall class, your dog’s behaviour should continue to evolve as they grow. Lifelong Training Puppy and Dog Training Classes offer ongoing support to ensure your dog remains well-behaved and responsive in every situation. These classes are crucial for addressing not just recall but a wide range of behaviours that could lead to safety concerns if left unchecked.

The Benefits of Lifelong Training

1. Prevents Problem Behaviours: Continuous training helps address undesirable behaviours like pulling on the lead, running off, or ignoring commands. When these behaviours are corrected early, your dog will be less likely to get into situations where they might run away or get lost.

2. Adaptability: Dogs experience many life changes, from puppyhood to adulthood and senior years. Lifelong training classes allow you to adjust your dog’s behaviour training as their needs evolve, ensuring they’re always well-behaved in any context.

3. Increases Confidence: Consistent training boosts your dog’s confidence, making them more comfortable and less likely to act out of fear or anxiety. A confident dog is less likely to run off in stressful situations.

4. Strengthens Your Relationship: Training classes strengthen the bond between you and your dog, fostering better communication and trust. When your dog understands what’s expected of them, they’re more likely to listen to you, which can be crucial in keeping them safe.

Conclusion

It’s every dog owner’s worst fear: their dog going missing during a walk. However, by staying calm, acting quickly, and knowing the right steps to take, you can increase your chances of finding your dog. The key to preventing these incidents in the future lies in strong, reliable training. Best Behaviour Dog Training’s Ultimate Recall Classes and Lifelong Training Puppy and Dog Training Classes provide the tools and expertise you need to teach your dog a reliable recall, improve their obedience, and ensure they are safe and secure on every walk. Don’t wait for an emergency—invest in your dog’s safety with proper training and watch your bond grow stronger with each step.