Lost Dog Recovery

Everyone has a story to tell about their dog taking off (because it was scared, or it caught a scent) or the escape artist has once again thwarted the latest attempts to keep them contained.

 And… despite telling ourselves we weren’t going to do it - we have all done it:

  • Yelled for the dog to come back as we watched it run away.

  • Run after the dog as we shouted its name and for it to ‘STOP!’

  • Frantically called the dog’s name as we drove up and down the road.

  • Shook treat bags, squeaked toys, whistled, and offered all kinds of promises if they’d only come back.

But experience has shown that those methods don’t give us the results we want.  So, what do we do?

According to the Missing Animal Response Network (MARN): 

  • WALK as you search for your dog.  If they think you are chasing them, they will run further away. Lost animals are more active at dusk and at dawn.  Have a flashlight with you to help you search.

  • SING to them as you search. (Any song, any lyrics) It will help your dog hear your voice and will be different from all the calling out, hand clapping, and whistling that other people may have tried. It will also help YOU to calm down and your voice will reflect PEACE instead of fear as you search for your dog.

    • When you see your dog, IMMEDIATELY SIT DOWN!

    • If you see your dog and they do not see you, start singing to them and sit down.

    • Then, look away, which is a submissive gesture. (Standing up is a dominant gesture but sitting down is critical to attracting a panicked dog to come to you.)

    • Pretend that you’re eating food – we suggest that you have a baggie of smelly treats like pieces of hotdog or liver treats with you. Potato chip bags are PERFECT to carry your treats in because they make loud, crinkly noises that dogs associate with food.

    • Watch your dog out of the corner of your eye without looking directly at him.

    • Your body language should convey that you’re eating something good, bits of food are dropping on the ground and that you haven’t noticed your dog.  This is the key to catching a loose dog—calming them down and attracting them to come to you.  

    • Toss some of the treats towards your dog. This may entice them to keep approaching you.

    • Note: Do NOT stare straight at your dog while walking towards him! If your dog is in fight or flight mode and you stare at him, he will be terrified and will avoid you at all costs.

  • Post your lost dog on social media pages.  Search for lost pet groups using your community name and add “lost dog” or “lost pets”  (example “Oromocto Lost Pets”) TIP: Don’t forget to make your post ‘Shareable’.

    • By using social media, you are looking for people who found your dog (and either have your dog in their possession or they have taken your dog to a shelter) or for people who have seen your dog (and know the area where you should be searching). This is why, posting a lost (and a found) dog on the Internet on Lost & Found Facebook pages is so highly effective.

Who to call:

  • NBSPCA 1-877-722-1522 (Rural Dog Control)

  • Town of Oromocto Animal Control 506-357-4409

  • Oromocto SPCA 506-446-4107*

  • City of Fredericton Animal Control 506-363-3320

  • Fredericton SPCA 506-459-1555*

(*Check in with your local shelter every 2-3 days.  ‘Found’ animals are held for 72 hours before being available for adoption.)

 

Information to provide:

  • Your name and best contact info

  • Your dog’s name, description, and distinguishing marks

  • Is the dog microchipped, neutered/spayed, friendly?

  • Area where the dog is lost.

  • Events leading up to the dog getting lost (fireworks, etc.)

 

MAKE SIGNS (More info here)

  • Make them GIANT so that people driving by can see them.

  • Make them FLUORESCENT so that the color attracts the attention of everyone.

  • Use Large, Black, Block letters, include a picture of your dog and your phone number.

  • Put them near where you lost your pet (and in areas of sightings).

  • Keep them BRIEF and to the point.

 

How Far Will They Go?

  • Wiggle Butt, friendly dogs will usually go to the first person that snags their attention. They can often be found close to home.

  • Aloof and wary dogs will avoid people until they overcome their fear and are hungry enough to allow human contact. Experienced Rescue help is useful in these cases.

  • Fearful dogs are more inclined to run far, travel fast AND avoid human contact, even with their own family members! They may not recognize their owners (in their fear) and it may be necessary to use a live trap to capture them.  

If you need help searching, trapping etc. your missing pet, there’s a local group of people who have had MARN training.  You can contact them via their Facebook page: Maritime Animal Response Team

 

EXTRA HELP: In-depth information concerning missing and lost pets can be found on the Missing Animal Response Network website.