Losing a dog is every pet owner’s nightmare. Whenever a storm comes to Florida, there are countless stories of dog owners distraught over their best friend escaping, and no one should have to endure this fate. Luckily, you can minimize the risks of your dog running away from home, both in general and due to disasters like hurricanes, by taking proactive steps to train and secure them from danger.
The Worrying Issue of Dogs Escaping
Dogs escaping from their homes is a common but still extremely distressing problem. If hurricanes necessitate a sudden evacuation or destroy housing and fences, it isn’t crazy to imagine how a dog can get loose. But every day of the year, a moment of inattention, an improperly latched door, or a small hole in a fence can lead to even the most well-trained dogs escaping.
Organizations like the ASPCA estimate that up to 10 million pets go missing annually in the United States, many of which are our beloved furry canine friends. When lost, dogs may suffer malnutrition, get hit by vehicles, or even be stolen. While it isn’t always feasible to prepare for every aspect of every possible disaster situation, most risks exist throughout the year. Don’t wait until it’s too late—protect them today!
Tips to Prevent Dogs from Running Away
Secure Borders and Fences: If your dog is ever outside off their leash, make sure your yard is secure with sturdy fencing at least twice the height of your dog’s shoulders. If you know your dog well enough to worry about them jumping even higher, plenty of fences well exceed this height. Regularly inspect the fencing for gaps, holes, or damage that could allow your dog to escape below.
After all this planning, your dog may still escape if someone lets them out. While this could be malicious, it is much more common due to ignorance or mistakes. Using signs to inform visitors about the presence of dogs and the need to keep doors securely closed can limit the risks that someone accidentally releases your dog into the wild.
Supervision: If you are concerned about your dog escaping, never leave them unattended in the yard, even after taking safety precautions. Dogs can escape in seconds, and theft from yards is unfortunately not uncommon. When off your property, always keep your dog leashed, even for short distances. If you want to give your dog more freedom, consider using a 20 or 30-foot-long line, which allows them to explore while you maintain control.
Proper Equipment: Protections are only helpful if they are up to code. An old fence is no deterrent, and a leash that can snap at any second will equally expose your dog to risks. For dogs prone to escaping, invest in a sturdy, escape-proof crate for when you cannot directly supervise them.
Identification: Even if you never intend for your dog to leave your site, you should prepare for that eventuality. Your dog should always wear a collar with a nametag and rabies tag. The nametag should have up-to-date contact information, including a current phone number. Collars can fall off or get in the way, so some owners choose to microchip instead. Make sure the microchip information is kept current, and make sure to accept calls from unknown numbers if your dog does ever escape.
Expert Dog Training to Prevent Your Dog From Running Away: One of the best ways to prevent your dog from running away is through training. While training may not eliminate all risks, it does provide you with another tool to limit the chances of having to endure the feeling of losing your pup.
Teach your dog a strong recall command, making “come when called” fun and rewarding. This command should be used at critical moments when a leash fails or a fence breaks. Once your dog gets far enough away, this command may not be able to help.
It is never too late to invest in professional training to ensure your dog learns what they need to follow your commands and stay safe. If you are looking to reinforce these behaviors and limit your dog’s odds of running away, contact Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training today to train your dog using the best methods available.
