Finding A Way Home

No one wants to lose their dog but it happens even to the best owners. Prevention is key.  

Keep your dog on leash unless he is in a securely fenced area. Train your dog to come even when distracted. Securely fence your yard, including horizontal fencing at the top (climbing escape artists) and bottom barriers (diggers).

Here's another reason to spay or neuter: Neutered dogs are less likely to follow the "call of the wild." Spayed females attract less unwanted attention.

Despite our best efforts, dogs do outsmart us and get away. So have your dog licensed, micro-chipped, and wearing a collar and tags with her name and your phone number. These will help get her home quickly and safely.

My dog, Lucy, wears a collar with her name and my number. One day I got a call from my neighbor saying Lucy was sitting on her porch. Lucy didn't go far and she wasn't gone long because her collar made it easy to get in touch with me. I went over to my neighbor's and brought Lucy home.

Lesson: Make it easy for people to help bring your dog home.

If your dog has "flown the coop," hit the streets calling his name, squeaking his favorite toy, offering the scent and sound of favorite treats.

Cover the ground you covered in your walks. Go places your dog is familiar with. Get everyone out looking but leave someone at home in case your pup returns on his own. They can also call all the local shelters, humane societies, rescues, police departments, vets and your local cable station to alert them about your lost dog.

Make a flyer with large print and a recent color picture. Photocopy it or hang in plastic protectors. Offer a modest reward. Say your dog needs medicine and is spayed or neutered (Even if untrue, it discourages thoughts that your dog could be bred).

I once found a large dog that had been wandering my Cheverly neighborhood for several days. She looked like a greyhound but with wavy hair. I called area shelters giving them her description. The Washington Humane Society operator remembered a similar description of a lost dog. She connected me directly with the owner and it was his dog, a Borzoi, who had escaped from a pet sitter in Georgetown a week before.

Lesson: Checking shelters works and dogs can travel a lot farther than you think.

If your dog is not home by the next day, post flyers in neighborhood high traffic areas – grocery stores, gas stations, schools, playgrounds, dog parks, vet offices. Get flyers to everyone you called the first day.

If your dog is still not home after two days, expand the search area by several miles. Call shelters beyond the area you think your dog could travel. Put ads on Hyattsville listservs, Craigslist and set up a Facebook page to organize your search. Use Google Maps to track all sightings. Give your flyer to mail carriers, delivery drivers, joggers, bikers and anyone around the search areas. Consider hiring a pet tracker. Visit shelters and rescue leagues to see found dogs. Check the "found" ads in the newspaper.

Lesson: Get as many people looking for your dog as you can and someone will see her.

Wonderful as it will feel, be careful when someone calls saying they found your dog. Ask about a distinguishing mark on your dog. Meet them in a public place and bring someone with you. If it is your dog, offer a reward.

Remember dogs have been found and re-united with their owners after some very long absences. Hard as it may be, stay hopeful. Your dog certainly deserves no less.