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LOST DOG CONSIDERATIONS
Gather good information: Get a good description of the dog including height, weight, color and markings, coat, sex, breed, muzzle, ears, tail, sex, name,
tags or microchip or tattoo, name, normal temperament, owner name and
contact information, last seen location, date, and time, circumstance that
led to dog’s separation.
Equipment kit should include: Leashes- flat and loop, water, gatorade, bowls, food/treats, ball/toys, muzzle, blanket, gloves, transport crate, first aid kit, contact information for animal control.
Keep in mind that, depending on how long the dog has been roaming, it has lost it’s regular, predictable patterns of daily events. This is stressful to a dog. It may be exhibiting highly aroused behavior or may be fearful and withdrawn (even with its owner).
Canine communication includes body posture, body orientation, positions of the ears and tail, expression of the eyes and mouth, and vocalizations.
Recognizing what the dog is telling you will help you determine the safest and most effective approach to use with the dog. See chart of body postures. A dog may exhibit defensive aggression signals such as running toward and away from you, barking fast and low – “go away, go away”, growling, lunging, lip curling, freezing, or whale eye.
What you should do for approach and recovery: Stay outside of the dog’s fight or flight distance. Use the “Low, Slow, and Soft” approach. Keep your body posture low and non-threatening, approach sideways, don’t look directly at the dog, but off to either side, keep your voice soft, quiet, and friendly. Don’t underestimate the power of food, play, or the invitation for a car ride, or the chance to play with a friendly dog.
Try tossing treats to the right or left of the dog. Try using a ball as an invitation to play. Try to get the dog to approach you rather than the other way around. Be patient. Give the dog the time, space, and incentive to make the right decision.
When you are close enough to recover the dog, and you have deemed that it is safe for both you and the dog to do so (when in doubt, leave it to the animal control officer), use the least amount of restraint necessary. Put some treats on the ground, have a looped leash over the shoulder furthest from the dog, casually reach up with your other hand and loop it around the dog’s neck. Don’t put and leave tension on the leash. Don’t reach over the dog’s head. Use a crate to transport the dog safely.