How not to lose your dog is an important topic and one that strikes fear in many of us dog lovers. This is one nightmare many dog owners have and if you ever have experienced it, you know what I'm talking about. Here are some precautions you can take to ensure you don't lose track of yours AND how to be reunited with your dog as soon as possible in case he or she does go missing. Tip #1 – MICROCHIP MICROCHIP MICROCHIP
I cannot emphasize this enough. Microchip your dog, cat, etc. It is one of the best and surest ways that someone will be able to identify your animal in the event that you do lose track of him or her. This is really important too: make sure the microchip company has your UPDATED contact information. You need to contact them, give them your pet's microchip number, your name, cell phone and all contact information so if your dog is lost, they know who the dog belongs to and how to contact you. You'll get a tag from the microchip company that you can attach to your dog's collar that will help identify him if he ever gets lost. Here is a link to one of the microchip companies.
Tip #2 – USE TAGS
Have a tag on your dog's collar with updated contact information for you makes it much easier for someone to contact you if they find your dog. Only vets, shelters and animal control officers are able to check for a microchip, so the average person who finds your dog will be unable to reach you. Additionally, who knows how long it will take said person to get your pet checked out by a vet or brought to a shelter to check and see if he has a microchip. Having a tag allows you to get your pet back quicker with less trauma for both of you.
Tip #3 – STAY ON LEASH
You know your dog best, but if you have any hesitancy about his or her recall ability, I suggest your dog remain on leash. The world is incredibly interesting to our canine friends, and a fascinating smell could cause them to wander off and ignore your frenzied calls.
Tip #4 – CLOSE CAR WINDOWS
I completely understand how much dogs love open car windows. However, there is always the chance that your dog may jump out at the sight of some enticing animal or other smell or sight and you don't want to lose your dog this way. The jump could injure him. It also means your dog is loose, often in an unknown area. Even worse if this were to happen in traffic, it could have a tragic ending.
Tip #5 – BE PROACTIVE
One of the biggest things you can do to prevent your dog from getting out is to be proactive. This means looking over your yard. Being careful at doors and other exits, and, most importantly, knowing your dog.
Tip #6 – SPAY AND NEUTER
Though this may not seem like an obvious way to stop your pet from getting lost. However neutering your pet prevents him from wandering around looking for a female.
Tip #7 – TECHNOLOGY
There are some awesome GPS trackers available that keep track of your dog’s location at all times. While it is crucial to also microchip and tag your pet, these can give you great peace of mind. It is important to note that these should not be considered replacements for preventative measures like microchipping and tags.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts or other suggestions on how not to lose your dog.