The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Lost Dog

If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know how frightening it can be. Dogs are fast and some can get away from you before you know it. Social media is filled with notifications about missing pets. You’ve probably shared some of the posts. Although this can be a scary event, you want to stay calm so you can put a plan into action. We’ll show you how with our ultimate guide to finding a lost dog.

1. Report Immediately

Some owners think they should wait a while and see if their pup comes home. That’s a mistake that can cost you valuable time. Call your veterinarian and let the office know. If your dog is microchipped, that can be helpful in case a good Samaritan finds your dog. It won’t hurt to call other vet clinics to keep them on the lookout. Don’t forget your local shelters. Lots of pups get taken there when found.

2. Share on Social Media

As you’ve been concerned about other peoples’ dogs, they’ll be concerned when they see yours has gone missing. Share a recent picture of your cuddly canine on social media to enlist help. That can spread the word to hundreds of people fast. Social media can be a great tool to get the message out.

3. Print Flyers

Don’t discount printed posting. We live in a digital world, but a lost pet printout may still work for finding your missing dog, especially in a nearby neighborhood where it’s seen by people often. Make sure your phone number is on the poster and offer a reward if possible.

4. Search the Neighborhood

The first area you search should be your neighborhood. Take some tasty treats that your pup can’t resist. You want to have something to offer that makes your dog feel comfortable. When you’re searching, use a light, playful tone. Dogs are great at sensing your emotions, so if you’re not calm, your dog might think that danger is present and not come to you.

5. Be Reachable

When you post your phone number, you may get numerous calls from people who think they’ve seen your dog. Some may be false alarms, but usually, these people mean well and want to help. After a while, you may be tempted to let unknown callers go to voicemail, but that would be a mistake. In case the person calling doesn’t like to leave a message, you want to be reachable. You never know when that one call could be the one.

What to do after finding your dog

Once you find your dog, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Your baby is home! That feeling of being reunited will settle in, and you can put the stressful ordeal behind you. It’s a good idea to take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Depending on how long your pup has been missing, an assessment for injuries, fleas, ticks, and parasites could be warranted.

Check your dog’s collar and make sure it’s on securely and the tag is present. If you haven’t had your dog microchipped, it’s a great time to consider having that done. Losing your best friend can be an emotional time, but these tips will help give you the best resources to get your pet back soon.