Please don’t blame, scold, or punish your pet. Dogs run away because they are unpredictable. It really is that simple!

Now, we all know that they get up to mischief when they are left unattended and become bored. A very determined little, or not so little, guy will dig and dig to squeeze underneath a fence. Free to roam, sniff unfamiliar smells, and explore.

Not surprisingly, loud noises terrify them, so beware. They will do whatever it takes to flee from thunder, fireworks and gun shots.

However, there are other factors why dogs run off that pet parents often don’t take into consideration.

Attracted To The Opposite Sex

“A female in heat will attract a male that is as far away as 15 miles.” So says T Macaulay, animal care management specialist. Just think about that for a moment. You have no idea your dog has caught that scent. Neutered or otherwise, he will pull, jump and run off in pursuit. He will do anything to get away in search of a mate. And, what’s more, you will be unable to stop him. 

Why Dogs Run Off While Hiking

“In Vermont we get a lot of tourists because of the trails near the Canadian Border,” Macaulay points out. “Never let a dog off leash when you are hiking. Instead, use a 25-foot-long leash otherwise, if it smells deer, a rabbit, or raccoon, it will take off.” The Director of Canine Protection League also recommends caution when visiting from a distance, especially out of state. “It’s so much harder to find a lost pet and be reunited if you don’t live in the area.”

Obedience

“Dogs are unpredictable and wild instincts will take over from training.” Macaulay made it abundantly clear that so many guardians forget that their pets are not like humans. They need to realize that they are genetically programmed to behave in a certain manner. If not, that other way of thinking can lead to unfortunate events.

Nevertheless, obedience training is very important. “Obedience lessons should be taken by dog owners, too. Learning an instant recall word is essential for emergency situations, so a dog will obey to that word,” the expert points out.       

To Sum Up

Think ahead of time and take precautions. Don’t assume you can predict what your dog will do at any given moment. Dogs run away because of a  variety of different situations. And, remember, a dog is a dog with pre-wired instincts that are sometimes contrary to what you have taught it.

But There’s More To Come

Soon, I look forward to sharing a few more success stories of pets that got reunited with their families. See you in a couple of weeks!

Before I Go

If you want more information about the work done at Canine Protection League in Vermont, check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CanineProtectors/. And, most importantly, you can participate in their weekly ($5) Five Dollar Friday donations campaign by clicking on https://www.givinggrid.com/ksxwei/.

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe! 

More must-read articles in this category:

Recently updated blog, now the introductory article in a mini series on losing, finding and reuniting companion animals https://petpeevesunmasked.com/lost-pets-search-tips

What these pet parents did to reunite with their precious canine and feline family members after they went missing https://petpeevesunmasked.com/helpful-strategies-find-pets/

Missing pets that end up at shelters often lack veterinary care but private animal hospitals are donating their services to save lives https://petpeevesunmasked.com/lost-pets-deserve-veterinary-care/

And, a reminder about the importance of having more than just one ID https://petpeevesunmasked.com/one-pet-id-isnt-enough