What to do if your dog escapes:

If your dog escapes, try these strategies:
  • call your dog in a way that sounds happy and excited to get their attention
  • crouch down and clap, pat the ground, etc. while calling your dog to you with happy talk
  • run in the opposite direction while happy talking, clapping, etc.
  • open a car door, and call your dog to the vehicle (if they like car rides)
  • lay down on the ground, and call your dog with happy talk (this may sound strange, but it can work!)
  • throw treats (the higher value the better) in their direction to lure them back to you or to an enclosed space (like a yard where you can then shut the gate)
  • have someone else happily call your dog to them using the strategies above

Important note:  Do not yell, scream and chase your dog. This decreases the likelihood that your dog will come to you. When you do catch your dog, do not punish them. This will decrease the likelihood that your dog will come to you in the future. 

Read more tips here. Also, check out the video below:
If your dog becomes lost, check out these resources.
While the resources above can help, working with a qualified dog trainer can be extremely beneficial to learn how to prevent your dog from escaping in addition to teaching your dog invaluable skills like a reliable recall. However, dog training is an unregulated industry, which means anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, even without any formal training or education. Scientific research has shown that some training methods can worsen fear and aggression and damage the human-dog bond, so working with an educated, humane trainer is paramount. 

Coexistence Consulting offers a complimentary service that connects animal guardians and caretakers with credentialed and compassionate trainers. Please contact me with your location, and I can recommend an animal behavior professional near you. 

​You can read more about how to choose a dog trainer here. ​