How do you catch a dog that ran away? Here’s the Answer

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Making Your Initial Approach

  • Question How do I catch a dog that wont come to me? Alexis Toriello Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Alexis Toriello is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Zen Dog Training in New York. Her time working as a canine behavior specialist in various animal shelters has made her knowledgeable in assessing, rehabilitating, and training dogs. In addition to being an Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (ACDBC), Alexis is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a Master’s Degree Candidate in Animal Behavior and Conservation at Hunter College. She is certified by the American Red Cross in Canine First-Aid and CPR and has endorsements from numerous hospitals and clinics and the Washington Humane Society. Alexis Toriello Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Expert Answer Try walking or running in the opposite direction of the dog so it chases after you.

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  • If your dog consistently gets loose, you may want to look into reinforcing preventative measures, such as fences or locks.[20] ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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  • Do not punish your dog for running away. This is counterproductive and can actually lead to more flight problems. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Be very careful approaching a stray dog. Try not to corner it as you may trigger a fight or flight response.[21] ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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    OH NO! Your dog is on the loose and embarking on a freedom run. You’re about to panic and run after him screaming his name like a banshee. But, wait! Stop!

    7. Take his leash and ask him if he wants to go for a walk. Your dog has become hard-wired to love the leash because it means a walk. Sometimes they will come running and forget that they could take their own walk. They don’t need no stinking leashes.

    4. Sit down right there on the ground and pretend to cry. If he doesn’t hear you, cry louder, sob your heart out! He’ll come running back to see what’s the matter.

    5. Pretend you have found the best thing in the whole world on the ground. What is it? Maybe it’s food. Maybe it’s cat poop! Roll in it! Exalt its marvelousness! Your dog will want in on it too.

    1. Never chase your dog because you will never win. He has four legs to your two. Chase is your dog’s favorite game and you can use this to your advantage! Turn around and see if you can get your dog to chase you instead.

    DON’T: Chase a dog that’s scared or lost

    Never run or chase after a dog—doing so will only make them want to move away from you more, and can make them more nervous. Remain calm and move slowly.

    Catch Your Runaway Dog! Stop Chasing And Do This In An Emergency

    When your beloved dog is lost, it can be a traumatic experience for both of you. But dont panic—you need to think clearly, act quickly and create a game plan for recovering your pet based on typical lost dog behavior and your dog’s personality.

    Start with a thorough physical search of your neighborhood or the area where your dog was last seen, checking backyards (with the owners’ permission), green spaces and other nearby spots before widening your search perimeter. Tell everyone you meet that you’re searching for a lost dog. Ask them to contact you if your dog is seen, but not to chase your dog in an effort to catch them.

    A friendly, confident dog is more likely to be found where people or other dogs gather. A shy, frightened or injured dog, or one lost in an unfamiliar area, is more likely to be hiding or on the run.

    Knock on doors and hang large, colorful “lost dog” posters in the area your pet went missing. Distribute flyers with your contact information to dogwalkers, mail carriers, joggers and anyone else who frequents the area. Post notices at grocery stores, laundromats, community centers, veterinary offices, dog parks, pet supply stores and other locations. Use local social media sites and missing pet registries to help get the word out.

    When people know your dog is missing, they’ll want to help. Otherwise, they may assume the animal is abandoned and needs a home.

    You may learn that your dog is frequenting an area, but is too skittish or traumatized to come to you or other people. Start placing food and water in a safe spot within the area your dog is known to visit (a large plastic storage container turned on its side can protect the food from rain).

    Use a motion-activated camera to see if your dog is eating the food. Once you know your dog is visiting the feeding station and what time they typically show up, you can set a humane trap to capture them. (Don’t attempt to chase down a skittish dog; this can drive them out of the area.) Most animal control agencies and many rescue groups will have a trap you can borrow. Be sure to monitor the trap and quickly release any wildlife or other animal you unintentionally capture. Top 10 tips

    Sign up to receive our exclusive e-book full of important information about caring for your pet, including training techniques and answers to frequently asked questions.

    Mission Reunite and the Missing Animal Response Network provide advanced search tips, online trainings and information on hiring a lost-pet recovery expert.

    Most communities have Facebook groups for sharing information about lost and found pets. Search for groups in your area and post a notice of your missing dog. Share the post on your personal Facebook, Instagram or other social media accounts. Fellow animal lovers will likely want to help in your search.

    Petco Love Lost is a national database that uses facial recognition technology to search thousands of found pet listings from users and shelters across the country. Simply upload a photo of your dog to start the search.