It is common to hear that dogs know how to find their way back home if they get lost or run away. However, this belief is not only false, but also very dangerous. For one thing, there is no scientific evidence that dogs have the ability to return home when they escape. In addition, the number of lost dogs in the streets and shelters around the world and of guardians who cannot find their lost furry ones give us clear signs that this belief also lacks foundations based on reality.
On the other hand, we must remember that a dog that escapes can be exposed to many risks to its he alth and survival on the streets, from contact with parasites and other pathogens, to accidents and street fights. So, beyond the degree of truth that may or may not be contained in this popular belief, we need to adopt effective preventive measures to prevent our furry ones from escaping and putting their well-being at risk.
At AnimalWised we help you answer the question “ If a dog gets lost, can it come back?”, and we also offer you some tips to prevent your furry from escaping and know how to act to find it in case of loss.
Why dogs get lost?
As you may already know, dogs are owners of great intelligence and privileged sensitivity, with their instincts very well developed. Although in our home they find a lot of comfort and affection, the streets are also full of stimuli that arouse their curiosity, such as new smells and sounds, jealous females, the opportunity to interact with other dogs, with children and with people, etc. Therefore, it is not surprising that some dogs, especially when they are young, feel attracted to go outside and discover the stimuli they perceive from inside their home. This can happen more frequently when the furry ones experience a sedentary routine, do not get enough daily exercise to expend their energy or do not find an environment enriched with games, toys and other complements that stimulate your mind. By letting themselves be carried away by their curiosity and the attractions of the outside, many dogs can end up lost, not knowing how to return to their guardians.
In addition, furry dogs that have not been neutered tend to have a greater tendency to run away from home, thanks to the natural sexual appetite that is essential for the conservation of its species. For this reason, neutering your dog is a 100% effective reproductive control method that not only prevents numerous diseases and controls street overpopulation, but also reduces the risk that your best friend will run away to chase females in heat and get lost..
But why do dogs run away?
To understand why a dog runs away from home and gets lost, we must also consider the character of each furry dog and the conditions to which he is exposed in his home. On the one hand, we must understand that each dog has its own personalitythat is, in part, influenced by its lineage and genetic inheritance. There are some furry ones that are naturally more shy and domestic, adapting more easily to a quiet home life, while other dogs are more independent, curious or adventurous, being able to show greater impetus to escape to the street and experience new stimuli. Dogs that have a strong hunting instinct can also be very attracted to chasing prey that they identify outside their home.
However, the education and environment provided by their guardians are also decisive for the behavior of each dog. Unfortunately, many furry ones run away from their homes because they don't experience a bond of affection and trust with their guardians, and some even suffer physical or emotional punishment. Feeling rejected, ignored, abandoned or mistreated, it is totally understandable that a dog tries to escape to seek more favorable conditions for her well-being.
Finally, some dogs may also try to escape when they are rejected by their parents, being forced to break away from the pack and seek another territory.
And if a dog gets lost, does it come home?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide a precise or definitive answer to this question. Although there are stories of dogs that return home after getting lost or running away, no one can predict what a dog does when he gets lost, whether or not he will be able to find his way back home. It is not an exact science and there is always there is a risk that the dog will become disoriented and not be able to find his way back home, even with very strong instincts. Well developed and highly intelligent. Therefore, among the essential care that we need to provide our dogs, we must include some preventive measures to prevent them from running away, getting lost and putting their he alth at risk. On our site we gather the main tips to prevent your dog from escaping.
On the other hand, we must also be aware when walking our dogs outside, always wearing their leash and collar or harness, leaving them loose only in safe environments , and always being attentive to their movements. In addition, although our furry ones are used to walking without a leash, it is essential to take basic preventive measures to guarantee their well-being and the safety of everyone around them, such as teaching them to come to your call, place an identification microchip and a plate with his name and our contact telephone number on his collar, socialize him from puppyhood to teach him to relate to positive way with other individuals and stimuli, sterilize or neuter him to control sexual behavior and prevent street overpopulation, and always offer adequate preventive medicine, respecting his vaccination card and internal and external deworming.
What to do if a dog has run away and hasn't come home?
This is a situation none of us want to imagine, much less experience. However, it is important to be prepared to know how to react and take action if your dog ever gets lost. In general, if your furry is neutered and is used to going outside alone or walking with you around the house without a leash, there is a greater chance that he will return on his own.
But if your dog has escaped, you must act quickly, safely and conscientiously to report his loss and inform other people so they can help you find him. The more hours you let pass, the more difficult it can be to find your furry. There are some steps to find your lost dog, among which we can highlight the following:
- First, walk your street, the nearby streets and the places you usually go for a walk with your dog. Then, you can go ask at the veterinarians, pet stores and animal shelters near your residence. If a dog with a microchip is lost, we recommend that you quickly go to the shelter closest to your home and report its loss, leaving your telephone number, name and the characteristics of your dog, and also its chip number. In this way, it will be easier to identify it if it arrives at this institution.
- Make brochures or posters with your contact information, a photo and the main information and characteristics of your dog (name, breed, appearance, age, color, specific characteristics that facilitate identification, microchip number, etc.). You can distribute them at veterinary clinics, pet stores, supermarkets, and other businesses in and around your neighborhood. If allowed in your neighborhood or city, you can also attach them to streetlights and nearby streets.
- Put ads in local classifieds and newspapers.
- Share your brochure on social networks and instant messaging groups. This is the best way to make your search viral, quickly reaching thousands of people who can help you search for your lost dog.
- If you have the opportunity to offer a small monetary or symbolic reward, it can make more people interested in looking for your best friend.
How to prevent a dog from running away from home and getting lost?
Although it is impossible to control all the impulses, desires and needs of our furry friends, we can reduce the chances of them running away from home by following basic guidelines, such as the following:
- Provide a positive environment: Like us, dogs feel more comfortable and want to return to places where they are well treated, they can express yourself freely and be happy. Therefore, the first step to prevent a dog from running away and getting lost is to provide a positive, safe and calm environment, where he wants to stay.
- Give him a lot of love and proper care: your house will only be your dog's home if, in addition to having a favorable environment, he also finds your love and affection there. Remember to reserve a special time to play, walk, teach and share good times with your best friend. Also, don't forget that caring also means offering them complete and balanced nutrition, a good education and proper socialization.
- Provide proper preventive medicine: Every dog needs to receive proper preventive medicine to preserve good he alth and balanced behavior. For this reason, you should make preventive visits to the vet every six months, keep his vaccinations always up to date and deworm him periodically. In addition, if your cat escapes on occasion, by having good preventive medicine, he will have less chance of acquiring numerous diseases.
- Sterilization/neutering: First of all, we must remind you that castration and sterilization are two different procedures. Although both are effective as reproductive control to avoid unwanted litters and combat street overpopulation, castration is the only effective measure to eliminate behaviors related to sexual desire. Likewise, before deciding to neuter or spay your dog, it is essential to consult your veterinarian. The professional will be able to tell you what the most appropriate procedure is for your best friend and what is the best time to do it.
- Teach him to come when you call him: to prevent your dog from getting lost and not coming back, and also to make safe walks next to him, it is essential to teach him to come to your call using the positive reinforcement In this way, if your dog ever escapes, you have a greater chance of returning to the hear you call it. On our site we also teach you 7 tricks to know what to do if your dog does not come when you call him.
- Do daily physical exercises:If your dog exercises and has his mind stimulated daily, he will not need to run away to expend the energy of him, develop his senses and express himself freely. In addition to daily walks, you can also introduce your dog to some dog sports, as well as play intelligence games at home. But always remember to consult a veterinarian to verify the he alth status of your dog before starting a new physical activity, and respect the limits of his body and mind.
