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How to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Lost

ShareThisSimple Steps to Avoid a Missing Dog
Nobody intends it, but lost dogs happen—and, usually,
because of easily preventable oversights by well-meaning
owners. A missing dog is a devastating experience.
Though you can’t guarantee against every lost-dog
scenario, you can increase the odds of keeping your pet
safe with these common-sense strategies:

•Secure your dog in a fenced yard or on a leash. Missing
dogs are often the result of an unsecured area or
unleashed pet. No matter how well-trained you think your
pet is, don’t let him wander around outside unsupervised.
Many pets get lost or stolen this way. You can prevent a
lost dog by keeping him inside a securely fenced yard, or
safely tethered to a leash. Fences should be tall for
jumping pets, buried at least 6 inches into the ground for
digging pets, and without open cracks or loose boards
for pushy pets and tiny pets. Invisible fences or pens
work for some dogs, but others barrel right through these
barriers, not minding the electric shock if it means they
get to chase that squirrel. On outings, use a leash and
never leave your dog unsupervised. Many dogs get
stolen, injured by the tether or other animals, or even
strangle themselves when left alone on a leash.

•Don’t leave your pet unsupervised. A lost dog is an
unsupervised dog. Supervision entails more than a
secure fence. It can mean not leaving your dog or cat out
for long periods while you are away, and never leaving
your pet unsupervised in the car. Many lost dogs are just
bored pets that have found a way to escape from a yard
or car—and, according to some experts, as many as 1.5
million dogs and cats get stolen every year from those
same places. Most of them are never recovered.
Comfortable crates can house dogs when you leave, or
consider a pet sitter or pet daycare during the weekday.

•Have your dog microchipped. This tiny implant between
a pet’s shoulder blades contains identifying information
that a veterinarian or shelter can scan to find out whom
the pet belongs to. Many lost dogs are recovered
because of their microchips. Most veterinarians and
shelters have scanners that can read the microchip.

•Spay or neuter your pet. According to the ASPCA, 75%
of owned pets are spayed or neutered, but only 10% of
animals coming into shelters are spayed or neutered.
Spayed or neutered pets may be less likely to wander off
in search of a mate. Lost dogs are likely to breed, too,
and if they are not fixed, may create more homeless
animals.

•Train your dog. Dogs that have had formal obedience
training are much less likely to end up in shelters, and not
just because they are better behaved. Training classes
offer pet owners valuable pet care and safety information
that can reduce careless mistakes that lead to missing
dogs, and an obedience-trained dog is more likely to stop
on command instead of running off, come back when
called, and walk nicely on a leash. Obedience training
also gives pet owners and their dogs more things to do
together, so the dog is less likely to get bored and
wander off looking for some fun. Even with obedience-
training, some dogs will follow the scent or sight of a
critter no matter what you do, but obedience-trained dogs
and their owners communicate better in general, and that
can make the difference between a playful pet that stays
with you and a lost dog you never find again.

•Get a license. Licensing an animal isn’t just another way
for the city to take some of your hard-earned cash. A
missing dog with a license tag on its collar carries the info
authorities need to track down the owner. Rabies tags
also include identifying information.
•Play phone tag. A simple identification tag should
contain your phone number at least. Some owners feel
uncomfortable putting their own names or addresses on a
tag, but a phone number makes it easy for someone to
pick up the phone when he or she has found your missing
dog.

•Take a DNA snapshot. Valuable purebred show dogs
often have their DNA recorded in a database that the
American Kennel Club maintains, providing positive proof
of who that dog is. This new technology can even be
used in court, if the identity or owner of a pet ever comes
into question when you believe someone else is rightfully
holding your lost dog. Ask your veterinarian about how to
have your dog’s DNA fingerprinted.

•Vital stats and photo evidence. Every pet owner should
have each pet’s basic statistics readily available at any
time, including vaccination records and a color
photograph. Then, even if your pet does get lost, you’ll
know exactly where to find the information you need and
a picture to show neighbors, shelter workers, or the
police everything about your missing dog—and,
hopefully, bring him home soon.