Six Ways to Keep Your Dog from Getting Lost
Losing your dog is the worst thing that can happen to a dog owner. Losing a loved one is heartbreaking, but losing a pet is devastating. The safety and well-being of our pets is of the utmost importance.
It would help if you always had a checklist to make sure your pet doesn’t get lost, no matter how safe you think you are as a pet owner. Here are the six most important tips to follow as a preventative measure.
1.Microchip your dog
If your dog loses his collar and is found, the microchip will contain the name, contact details and phone number of the owner or the animal shelter. A microchip can be implanted in your dog without any discomfort and your dog will not notice anything.
It is about the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is injected into your dog's skin by a veterinarian and will remain in place for the rest of his life.
2.Buy an ID collar
Although it may seem obvious, it is surprising how many people are unaware of how important it is for their dog to have an ID tag and a properly fitting collar around their neck. This way you can't lose your dog.
Collars that are too loose are more likely to come loose, tear, and eventually become unusable. Check the condition of your dog’s collar to make sure it is functioning properly. Finding the right balance between safety and comfort is crucial.
If your dog is wearing an ID tag, it will be much easier for someone to recognize him and get your contact information. Dog tags can be purchased online or can be made at a local pet store for a reasonable price. You may want to write your phone number on the collar for added protection.
3. Learn to come and stay
Your dog needs to learn two of the most fundamental commands: “Come” and “Stay.” Using these two commands will reduce the likelihood of your dog getting separated from you. Your dog will likely become excited or interested in something while you’re out for a walk, at the park, or in the car while you’re out and about.
To successfully convince your dog to stop, you must first teach him these commands and establish your authority as pack leader. If your dog learns these instructions, it could save his life.
Ideally, you can teach your puppies these instructions as soon as possible after they are born. Older dogs can still learn the instructions if given the chance. However, the sooner you start practicing, the better it will be for you in the long run.
4. Always keep your dog on a leash
A dog leash is an absolute necessity if you are a dog owner. A dog leash is an essential aspect of dog ownership. If you are looking for a leash that works best for you and your dog, there are plenty of options to choose from. Better to buy a more expensive and better leash than to lose your dog.
Make sure the leash you choose is appropriate for the size and breed of your dog. Since there may be other dogs in the park when you are walking, it is best to use a shorter leash that gives you more control over your dog if he wants to chase another dog.
5.Protect your garden and home
When a dog escapes from the yard, this is one of the most common methods by which they become disoriented. There have been several cases where people have seen dogs walking on the street and mistaken them for strays, when in fact they have escaped from their backyard.
Check the fences around your home before letting your dog out into the yard. It would help if you had a fence that was the right height for your dog’s size so he can’t jump over it. Even if your dog can’t jump over the fence, he can still dig his way out.
The bottom of the fence should be covered with pebbles or chicken wire to prevent this. As a precaution, check the fence for holes or cracks that your dog could squeeze over.
6. Have your pet spayed or neutered
Spaying or neutering your dog helps to reduce the number of animals in shelters, but it also helps to prevent your four-legged friend from wandering off and becoming separated from you. Due to their innate sexual drive, unneutered male dogs are more likely to approach females.
As a result, an unneutered dog is more likely to get lost while searching for other female dogs, increasing the chance of being hit by a car. Neutering your dog eliminates this tendency, making your dog calmer and more predictable, and preventing similar behavioral problems in the future.
Since fewer males will want to mate with female dogs after the procedure, they will also benefit from it. It is preferable to keep aggressive males away from females to prevent this. This way you can't lose your dog.
Work consistently on your dog's recall
“Recalling” your dog is essentially the same as saying, “Come here!” to her. A well-trained dog should be able to return to you from a considerable distance, regardless of surrounding distractions. If you rely on only one command, make it a recall command. You don’t want to jeopardize your dog’s life or safety by relying on this command. Even the best-behaved and most bonded dogs can occasionally fail at this task.
But if the leash breaks, he runs out the door or something else happens, a good command gives extra security. That's why you need to teach your dog to respond to your commands and practice them regularly. Put an extra long leash on her (like the one we suggested above) and walk her in a large, open field.