Pet Exchange Garden

While I’m out running, off-leash dogs method me much more and much more often it seems.

Two large mutts ran at me recently when their owner wasn’t paying attention. The next day a border collie charged because his owner had no control. The same afternoon a pitbull followed me for three miles.

All of these dogs got back to their owners safely, but that isn’t always the case.

The people reading this are responsible canine owners. Still, anybody who owns dogs knows it’s possible for the canine to slip through the door, slip through his collar or get away from a friend. It even happens to responsible owners.

Tips to avoid your canine from getting lost.

1. practice calling your canine every day.

Carry treats in your pockets if you have to. My canine has always loved “checking in” while he’s off leash because he knows he’ll get a reward. I make a game out of it. in some cases I run in the opposite direction yelling, “Wooooo!” I look like an idiot, but Ace always comes running. See my suggestions on getting a canine to come when called.

2. give your canine weekly off-leash playtime and training.

A lot of dogs do not get enough exercise, so when they find themselves loose in the front yard, all they want to do is run. They’re like, “I’m free!” Being off leash won’t be such an event for the canine if he gets off-leash play and training several times per week.

3. Address your dog, then answer the door.

Whoever is at the door can wait 30 seconds while I address my mutt. like many dogs, Ace gets thrilled when he hears the doorbell.

An out of control canine is much much more likely to slip through the front door. I have not been consistent at correcting Ace’s thrilled behavior before I answer the door. because of this, Ace likes to run to the door barking. In purchase to stop my canine from barking at the door, I have to enforce the same guidelines 100 percent of the time, not sometimes.

4. keep all new dogs or going to dogs leashed.

Keep all new dogs on a leash when you are indoors and supervising.

Your house is new and exciting to foster dogs, newly adopted dogs or going to dogs. An thrilled canine is much more likely to bolt through the front door or run away while outdoors. He’s less likely to listen to your commands, and you are less likely to predict his behavior. At least if he’s wearing a leash, you can hopefully get he end or step on it if he bolts.

5. keep a bell on small dogs so you can hear them.

It’s easy for toy dogs and other small breeds to slip best through the door without anybody noticing. It’s also harder to get a little dog, and they tend to be much more skittish. If the canine is wearing a bell, you will be much more likely to hear him coming.

6. Teach your dog to sit and stay when people come to the door.

A canine trained to reliably sit and stay in one spot when someone concerns the door is not going to run out. I am awfully inconsistent on this one.

My mutt Ace does not sit nicely when someone concerns the door. He would be much safer sitting and staying in one spot. This would also allow me to focus much more on my guests rather than on my dog.

7. Train your canine on an unnoticeable fence.

An electric fence for dogs is a great tool because the canine will easily learn to respect the boundaries of his yard without a physical fence. Ace is trained to know the boundaries of my parents’ electric fence, and I never have to worry about him getting loose when we visit. If your canine digs under fences, climbs fences or knows how to unlatch gates, an invisible fence for dogs is a good option.

8. Put up a baby gate to block the front door.

A baby gate blocking off an entrance to the front door can avoid dogs from getting out, especially if you are distracted by visitors.

9. Make sure all gates and doors are securely locked.

You may want to padlock gates from the inside so no neighbor kids come over and unlock the gates, especially if you ever leave your canine in the yard unattended. Some dogs are smart enough to figure out how to unlock latches, so a padlock is a good backup.

10. Microchip and ID the dog.

Too numerous dogs end up in the pound. the best way to find a lost canine is to contact all the pounds in the area. but hopefully your canine wears ID and will easily get back to you before you get to that point.

Without identification, whoever finds the canine has no way of contacting the dog’s owner. The pounds in my area keep dogs for three company days. That is not a lot of time for someone to track down a lost dog.

What are some other ways to avoid a canine from getting away? Do you lose your dog?