Why Your Lost Dog May Not Run Back To You

This is a very useful article for dog-owners: https://nodogaboutit.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/why-your-lost-dog-may-not-run-back-to-you/

I can totally relate to it because in his 16 years of living with us, Bobby had run out of the gate twice. The first time, we spotted him in many places all over the neighbourhood, but the moment he saw us, he just bolted as though he had never seen us before.

After a quick and desperate consult with the vet, I learnt that once a dog is lost, he sometimes goes into panic mode and that state of panic is so overwhelming that he won’t even recognise his owner anymore. So, we kept a safe distance, monitoring him, but finally, he ran so fast that we lost him.

I then decided to go home and just open our gate and wait, and continue going out to look for him every half hour or so. It was a full 7 hours before Bobby finally came back on his own, through the gate and back into the house (and it happened when I was out looking for him again, on one of my many rounds). I can still remember now, how relieved and surprised I was when I came home and saw him sitting in the living room with the cats, as though nothing had happened earlier (“Where’s the fire?”).

When we were out looking for him, he was literally running like a horse that day. It was impossible to follow him as the neighbourhood had too many small lanes and back lanes which were inaccesssible to cars. To go on foot was also impossible as a dog can really, really run fast, especially when in panic mode. (It’s called “survival mode”, according to the article above.)

The second time, it happened again and this time, he came back after about 4 hours. On his own. And we think he was already partially blind during this second escape. The vet had explained that being partially blind or even fully blind does not bother a dog very much because to begin with, they have very poor vision. Hence, “stay still if you see a dog”, because the chances are, he won’t be able to see you unless you move!

Maybe it also helped that I always took him for walks around the neighbourhood so he could sniff his way back, or maybe they have an inbuilt GPS of sorts that can guide them back. On his first “escape”, he was sighted as far as an oxidation pond and that was VERY far, but he found his way back finally. Both times, he escaped through a tear in the netting on the gate.

Thank goodness there were only two of such episodes in his entire lifetime.

An excerpt from the article:

We need to know that chasing a lost dog is one of the worst things we can do. It only reaffirms to the dog that people should be avoided.

So what should you do when you encounter a lost dog or your own lost dog?

Sit down.
Turn your body so your back or side is to the dog.
Keep your eyes averted and bow your head so as to look non-threatening.
Toss tasty treats (hot dogs, chicken, smelly cheese, etc.) behind you or to the side of you.
Don’t talk.
Wait patiently for the dog to approach you. Don’t make any sudden movements, but continue to toss treats.
Don’t grab the dog when they get close, but wait patiently and build trust.
Speak softly, but if they back away, stop talking and just continue to toss treats until they trust you enough to come closer.

When we moved to this present house, Bobby was already blind.

In the previous house, he helped foster every single kitten/cat I rescued.

Good old Uncle Bobby, kitten-fosterer extraordinaire!

There will never be another you.

Source: https://myanimalcare.org/2015/06/08/why-your-lost-dog-may-no..

Tweet

AnimalCare

AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

More Articles   |   Pets For Adoption   |   Website