Having friends and family over? Including your 4 legged friend is great, but if your pet is not one who goes with the flow, be sure to provide them with a nice quiet place away from the crowds to relax and feel secure. If your dog is a party animal and wants to be in the midst of the party – great!! … Just be sure that someone keeps an eye on them and no escape routes like doors or gates are accidentally left open. Err on the side of caution.

The Holidays are approaching – time to get out the high resolution cameras instead of using camera phones for taking those memorable family pictures.  Don’t forget to take pictures of your furry family members too.  Good, full body identifying pictures are not only great to put in your favorite frames, but will serve you well in the unfortunate event your pet gets lost.

If your dog has gone missing in a rural area, make an effort to alert hunter’s in the area that your dog is missing.  Hunter’s are out in the pre-dawn hours when lost dogs may be active.  Put flyers on hunter’s vehicles parked along fields or woodlands. Leave them a note asking  for a call if they should see your dog or catch a glimpse of a dog on their trail cameras.

Whether your dog loves kids or goes into a barking frenzy when they hear “Trick or Treat”, it is a good idea to keep a barrier between the little ghosts and princesses and your pet. Some of the kids who are not exposed to dogs at home, may not understand that your dog’s tail wagging enthusiasm is more about the opportunity to make new friends, than to frighten. A baby gate across the door as you hand out treats, can help keep a comfortable distance between the little ghouls and your pet.

Social media is a great way to get the message out about your lost dog but it is only part of the equation.  Hitting the ground and getting out to spread the word to the community is vital: Going door to door w/flyers; knocking on doors and talking to people; posting intersection signs (like yard sale signs); tagging your car; notifying and sending flyers to vet clinics, shelters, rescues, Animal Control Facilities, police; placing ads in newspapers and Craigs List. Remember, you are your dog’s advocate, he/she is depending on you!

Lost dog searchers need to tackle the job of putting up flyers and posters as quickly as possible when a dog goes missing. The more people that are aware you are looking for your lost pet, the better the chances of finding that lost pet. Knock on doors, talk to people- they may provide critical leads.

The leaves are changing and the fields are being harvested. If you have a missing pet this is a good time to reenergize the search. Wandering dogs who may have been hiding out in areas of heavy ground cover, or cornstalks will be more easily spotted. This is a good time to let everyone in the area know you are still searching. Reflyer and revisit, also update your Craigs list notice.

If your dog has been lost for awhile-stay positive and stay active. Keep your Craig’s list posting current.  Update your intersection signs and posters with “Still Missing-Still Searching”.  Replace any signs or posters that have faded or  look shabby.  These actions alert people that your pet has not yet been found, and will keep them looking.

Intersection signs are not only for intersections. Post a sign in your front yard or where your dog escaped. Ask dog owners in your neighborhood & surrounding neighborhoods to posts signs. Ask businesses to post signs. Ask and Post! Get the message out about your lost dog!

Dogs are survivors. There is a good chance your lost dog is out there somewhere. He might be hiding or simply wandering. He could have been taken in by an individual or rescue/shelter organization. Keep getting the word out, and you will increase the odds of finding your lost companion. There are plenty of stories about lost pets being found several months or even years after they went missing.

Think lost not stray(TM) .. next time you see a dog or cat wandering the street or neighborhood, keep this in mind. Dogs and cats don’t fall from the sky- they came from backyards, houses and families. Someone is missing them.

Use a martingale collar to prevent your dog from slipping out of his/her collar. For added security (shy/timid dogs), use the martingale with a front ring harness. You can also use carabineer, coupler or two leashes if the harness and coupler cannot be attached together with the leash alone. Make sure both the harness and collar have ID tags.

One  of the most important things you can do to keep a  lost dog esp. a shy dog in an area is to put out food. This is very simple. No bowl required. Stock up at the grocery store on the little pull top plastic containers of wet dog or cat food. They are inexpensive and easy to carry in your pocket. It doesn’t matter what brand (buy what’s on sale) but beef is usually best. Chicken or fish will attract more cats and raccoons. Don’t use dry dog or cat food. It doesn’t have enough odor to attract the dog.

When there is a sighting of your dog – immediately go to the location and put down one container of food. Don’t call the dog or approach it (if you see it). Put the container down and leave. Check the container in a few hours or the next day. If the food is gone, this is a good location for a trail camera and a trap. If you don’t have a trail camera, sprinkle sand, fireplace ash or cornstarch around the food source; check the prints in the substance to see if it is a dog who is eating the food.

Using a friendly (wiggly & gives off play signals to other dogs)  dog  to help lure a shy lost dog is a great technique. But like anything – there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Here’s what we do. Put the friendly “magnet” dog on a 25 – 50 foot long line. Sit or walk slowly and quietly at the area of the last sighting. It is best to do this with no other people nearby. Let the magnet dog out to the end of the line.  This allows the lost dog to focus on the magnet dog not you.  If the lost dog approaches – be patient. Give them time to greet one another, then slowly “reel” the magnet dog in towards you. The lost dog may follow!  Have a collar and leash ready for the lost dog and stay below his eye level. You may have to try this several times on different days.

Now that the weather is warming up, it is time to “Think Spring” and make sure you take care of these little things that will keep your dog safe and home where he/she belongs!

• Check collar & leash for wear & tear – replace worn and weak

• Examine your pets ID/license/rabies tags and ensure they are readable and the information is still current

• At your pet’s spring checkup have the microchip scanned to make sure it is working properly

• If you’ve moved make sure to update contact information with the microchip company. (may be a nominal fee)

• Check your fence and repair for any winter damage

• Check your window screens – If weak, replace w/pet screening

• Check screening and latches on screen doors

Prepare a Lost Pet Packet and keep it handy:

Photos and detailed description of your dog.

Nearest animal control facility address and phone number.

Rabies vaccination certificate, license number, microchip number and the company’s contact information.

Be Aware & Be Prepared – Don’t Allow your Dog to become a Lost Dog Statistic!