If you have a dog, chances are you have faced that dog running off at least once in the time you have owned him.  They don’t run off because they want to escape your loving home, but rather because they are chasing a tantalizing scent.  Sometimes they get lost or are picked up by someone else, and thus they do not come home.  This can be quite traumatizing for you, the owner.  However, there are some safety steps you can take to keep your dog from running away, and to find him if he does escape.

How to Keep Your Dog from Running

There are several ways you can keep your dog from leaving your yard.  First, make sure that the yard is secure.  Rather than tying up your dog, which is distressing for most dogs, fence in your yard with a sturdy fence that the dog cannot climb.  You will need to watch for a dog that digs.  There are products you can install under your fence to keep the dog from digging.  If you are not allowed to put up a fence in your neighborhood, consider installing an electronic containment system.

Male dogs that are not neutered often leave the yard in search of romance.  To keep this from happening, always have your dog neutered.  If your dog cannot be neutered because you wish to breed him, consider purchasing a GPS dog collar, so you can find him when he does stray.

Finally, make sure that your dog’s area is fun and inviting.  If you are gone for long periods of time during the day, consider purchasing another dog to keep your dog company.  Also, make sure that your pet is getting enough exercise.  Dogs who are not walked will tend to run off.  Also, make sure that your home is safe and secure for your pet, so he will not be tempted to run off to find a better life.

How Trainers Can Help

Sometimes, no matter what you do, you find that your dog still runs off.  If this happens, consider hiring a trainer to help.  Pet trainers can help you analyze the environment in your home to determine what may be enticing your dog to run away.  They can also help you communicate with your dog, assert your authority as the owner, and keep your dog from running off by utilizing positive rewards.  However, if you find that your dog is still running off, you may want to have him chipped or put a GPS dog collar on him.

Watch out for Cars

One of the most common ways for dogs to be injured or killed when they escape is by moving vehicles.  Dogs do not naturally know to be afraid of cars, so you have to teach them.  When you are walking with your dog, be sure to keep him on the side of the road that is opposite traffic.  Never let your dog walk in the road, even if it is empty.  By teaching your dog to avoid the road, you will be teaching him to avoid cars, without even knowing it.  Of course, the best way to make sure that your dog avoids cars is to keep him from running out of your yard.  You can also use GPS collars to find the dog quickly when he does run off, which eliminates some danger from cars.

What to Do if All Else Fails

If you find that no matter what you do, your pet still runs away, you should know that there are many products that can help you locate your pet.  Many vets will recommend that you microchip your pet.  The microchip will be read by animal control if they pick up your dog, and you will be contacted to come get your pet.  However, this requires that your dog be picked up by the animal control, which may not happen right away.  Also, waiting for the dog to be picked up puts him in danger from cars and other people.

The best way to ensure that your dog will be safe if he gets out is to purchase a GPS dog collar.  GPS dog collars utilize the latest GPS technology to help pet owners find their lost animals.  The signal from GPS dog collars can be tracked online or on your cell phone. 

A dog-tracking collar GPS system is very simple to use.  First, you put GPS dog collars on all your dogs.  The collar can stay on the dog at all times.  Then, if your dog escapes, you will call the number of the dog-tracking collar GPS system, which will cause a signal with the coordinates of your dog’s location to be sent to your phone.  You can then look up the coordinates on a map and find your dog.  Some GPS collars also work with the Internet, so you can track your dog on websites with street maps.  You can read more about dog tracking collar GPS systems at http://ezpuppytraining.com/puppy-supplies/gps-dog-collar.