6 Tips To Track A Lost Dog

Probably, one of the worst nightmares for every dog parent is when their beloved furry friend suddenly went missing.

Unlike humans, dogs can never ask for help or assistance whenever they’re lost and can’t find their way home.

Their only hope is when their owners can find them as soon as possible, or an animal shelter can temporarily adopt them until their original owners pick them up.

As a concerned dog owner, it’s your responsibility to track your lost dog within the next 12 to 24 hours to increase your chances of finding them within your community. 

But before you panic, take a few deep breaths and stay calm.

The clearer your mind is, the easier it’ll be for you to find your lost dog.

If your dog has a GPS Tracker, you’ll have a higher chance of finding them alive and safe as the tracker will automatically show you your dog’s current location.

From there, you’ll realize the importance of a GPS Tracker and how useful are they during emergencies like this. 

On the other hand, for dog owners who haven’t used a GPS tracker for their dogs yet, don’t lose hope.

There are still other ways to help you be reunited with your furry friend again. Here are six tips to help you track a lost dog.  

1. Check Your Home First

If you notice your dog has gone missing, you need to check your surroundings first.

They could be hiding somewhere out of fear or have gotten themselves stuck somewhere.

Some places you need to check may include the basement, attic, cars, closet, pool, garden, and any possible areas where your dog could be.

You can ask your family and friends to help with the search and bring some dog toys and treats with you to entice them to get out wherever they are. 

2. Determine How Far You Should Search

If your dog is not home or anywhere around your property, this is the time you need to expand your search radius.

But before you do, you need to ask yourself these questions:

• Is your dog less active and could be around the area, or is it fit, energetic, and more likely to run miles away from home?
• Is your dog a social butterfly or a food lover?
• Is your dog easily frightened by strange things or an adventure seeker?
• Are there possible places in your area which your dog might have visited alone?
• How long has your dog been lost?

Answering these questions will narrow down your search radius.

For instance, if your dog’s a social butterfly, he could’ve gone into the park with the other dogs.

Meanwhile, if he’s a food lover, you might find him scouring through the nearest restaurant’s food dumpster.

If your dog’s a senior or a less-active kind, you may find him nearby.

As much as possible, avoid jumping to conclusions right away that would cause you or your family to give up the search. 

3. Use A Search Dog

If you have other dogs in the house, you can bring them along during the search.

After all, dogs have a much better sense of smell than humans, which they can use for finding their missing pal.

Plus, the scent of your other dogs might also help lure your missing dog to come out wherever they are, making it easier to find them. 

4. Alert The Neighbors

When it comes to searching for your missing dog, you can never have too many eyes.

Within 24 hours, when your dog went missing, make sure to notify your neighbors so they can help with the search too.

Or perhaps your dog could probably be in one of your neighbor’s lawns or garage.

With their help, the search for your dog might be a lot easier and faster. 

If you still can’t locate your dog within the neighborhood, it’s time to expand your search radius by checking out places outside your community or town.

While you search, call your dog’s name the same way you call them when it’s feeding time.

Avoid shouting their name as this might sound threatening for them and scare them away further. 

5. Create And Distribute Lost Dog Posters

Print as many lost dog flyers as you can, and make sure to include a clear and most recent photo of your dog in it.

If possible, use bright neon paper to make your poster eye-catching and noticeable to the public.

Some important details to include in the poster are:

• A clear photo of your dog
• Distinct description of the dog
• Last known location
• Collar tag details
• Your contact details
• Reward

Post the flyers on pet stores, bulletin boards, animal shelters, local coffee shops, and telephone poles.

You can provide copies to your friends and family so they can help hang the posters too.

And while you go around and distribute flyers, you can ask every person you come across if they’ve seen your dog. 

6. Use Social Media

You can utilize social media to spread awareness about your missing dog.

Like your posters, make sure you include the exact details so people can notify you as soon as possible in case they find your dog.

You must also report your missing dog to local shelters as someone may have spotted your dog and turned him over to the nearest animal shelter. 

Don’t Give Up

Hopefully, these tips will guide you in tracking your lost dog.

Most importantly, never lose hope no matter how long the search will take.

Many dog parents have found their missing dogs after a few days, weeks, or months, and surely you can find yours one of these days too.