Dripping sweat off your head. The sinking feeling in your stomach. The fear of uncertainty of seeing your dog again. That joyful bark, the playful tail wags, the comforting presence that fills your home, everything is gone in an instant. We can’t endure the pain of losing a family member.

As pet parents, we understand how much that pet matters to you, and losing them feels like losing your children.

But in moments of despair, where everything seems wrong when you are blaming your own careless behaviour, all you need is to be patient and calm. Things are turning bad but there are ways and steps through which you can find your missing dog.

Supertails has always cared about your missing pet, we also run many campaigns and drive so that every pet parent can get their lost pet. Even if that is not enough, then there are a few steps that you should take to find your lost dog. Through this blog, we will be discussing these steps.

Dogs are an active animal. It takes time to keep them calm or make them feel home as a pet. A pet parent has to be very careful if they are leaving them loose. Often with time they learn or accept that home as their own, but in certain scenarios, they escape. If your dog escapes then these are the things you should follow.

Thorough Search of Your Property

As soon as you notice your dog missing, take immediate action. There is a high chance that your dog did not escape; instead, it is sitting or hiding on your property. It is normal for dogs to love quiet places where they can sleep.

Always start your search from your home. Check corners, high areas, and hiding places such as bushes, cars, and sheds. You can also use tools to find them like their favourite toys, flashlights, or treat bags or even call out his name while searching.

Check Nearby Areas

Once you are sure that they are not on the property, expand the search. Reach out to neighbours or friends. Ask them to look into their houses or yard. Look in the nearby parks, stadiums, or open empty grounds. To lure your pet, leave their favourite snacks or toys in the potential hiding places. Look out for the street dog group, what if he went to them or is playing with them?

Contact the Local Police Station

Often there are chances that you will get your missing pet if you search in the neighbourhood properly but there are chances that what if not. At this time you can reach out to authorities. You can file a missing dog complaint at the police station. Provide them with all the necessary information like where you saw your dog last time, what he was wearing, what breed it was of, what colour, height, age, and many other information.

Report to Local Animal Shelters

Local animal shelters are those that take care of street animals. They have contacts, and a dedicated search team for finding lost pets. You can also ask them for help. 

Utilize Social Media

The world is connected through social media. Everyone is on social media and is connected to each other directly or indirectly. You can take the help of social media. By contacting famous social media groups in your city, or by creating an engaging post with proper descriptions, photos, and contact information, you will be able to further expand the search. You can use platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or WhatsApp.

Post Flyers

Flyers can be an effective way to grab attention. Make engaging flyers, or introduce rewards for those who find your missing dog. Include essential information in the flyers like description, photos, contact information, etc. Distribute or stick flyers in crowded or high-traffic areas so that they can reach to larger group of people.

Contact Local Media

Local media includes local newspapers, radio channels, local TV channels, magazines, etc. Local media information is consumed by a larger group of people. You can use that to expand your further search. It can be an effective way.

Secure High Fencing

Fencing keeps your pet away from your house boundaries. Constructing high fencing will restrict your dog from jumping or escaping the boundaries whenever he gets an opportunity. Inspect the house for holes, gaps, or weak spots and construct or cover those areas with a fence.

Leash Training and Supervision

Leash training provides you the control over the dog’s movement. If given properly, it will prevent them from running into dangerous situations or escaping after distractions. Leash training for dogs can be effective in socialization, and ensure their safety from high traffic, other animals, or harmful situations. This training will train the dog to listen to your command which will help you to strengthen your bond with your dog.

Address Their Separation Anxiety 

There is always a situation where your dog experiences extreme distress when left alone. This can be a symptom of separation anxiety. The dog will show behaviours like excessive barking, whining, howling, pacing, or even drooling. If not addressed well, then this will lead to their escape. As a pet parent, in order to reduce separation anxiety, you should always ensure your involvement with your dogs. Take them for a walk, play with them, create a safe space for them, etc.

With the advent of time, there have been some inventions which have made our lives easier. This invention not only minimizes our effort but also saves us time. Some of the innovations are.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, is a device that tracks the live location and shows you their location 24/7. Putting a GPS device on your pet will provide you with their location and can track them easily whenever it goes missing. This one time investment will save your tones of time and work in the future.

Microchips are small electronic transponders that contain unique identification numbers and have to be implanted under your dog’s skin. Whenever your missing dog is found by a vet or any animal shelter, they can scan the microchip to find out the necessary information about the dog and its owner.

There are dogs that are trained or have specialized skills in tracking lost animals. As dogs have high-smelling power, they can follow the smells left by your missing dog. They are very effective as they can cover larger areas in a very short time. 

Losing a dog can be heart-wrenching, but this is common and you are not alone. If you lose your dog, instead of getting scared or moody, take swift action by utilizing the available resources you have. If acted well and on time, there are chances that you can reunite early.

But if you have brought a pet to your home, it is your responsibility to keep them safe and sound. They are not only pets, they are family members. Take proactive measures like securing open areas, restructuring your house to create space for them, fencing the areas from where they can escape, etc. Act before it's too late.

Acting swiftly is crucial when your dog goes missing. Begin with a thorough search of your immediate property, including the yard, garage, and any potential hiding spots. Simultaneously, notify your local authorities (police and animal control) and begin spreading the word through social media, flyers, and by contacting local shelters.

Effective flyers are essential for reaching a wider audience. Include a clear and recent photo of your dog, a detailed description (breed, color, markings, size), your contact information (phone number and email address), and any identifying characteristics (scars, tattoos). Offer a reward if applicable to incentivize people to keep an eye out.

Microchipping involves implanting a tiny electronic chip under your dog's skin. If your lost dog is found by a veterinarian, animal shelter, or other authorized personnel, they can scan the microchip with a handheld scanner. This scanner reads the unique identification number stored in the microchip, which is then used to access your contact information from a pet microchip registry database, allowing the finder to reunite you with your dog.

Dogs can go missing for various reasons, including accidental escapes from unsecured yards or during walks, chasing after distractions, fear and anxiety (such as separation anxiety), and in some cases, they may be stolen. It's crucial to address potential causes, such as improving fence security, providing adequate exercise and mental stimulation, and seeking professional help for separation anxiety.

Signs of separation anxiety in dogs can include excessive barking, howling, whining, destructive behavior (chewing, digging, scratching), pacing, drooling, and even accidents in the house when left alone. These behaviors often occur shortly after you leave and may continue until you return. If you suspect your dog may have separation anxiety, consult a veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist for proper diagnosis and guidance.