One of the most terrifying things for a dog owner is for their furry family member to be missing. Not knowing where your pet has gone is nerve-wracking and often dangerous for the animal. As a pet owner, it’s up to you to keep your dog safe at home and on walks around the neighborhood wherever you live. But despite your best efforts, sometimes Fido runs off on an adventure. If that happens it is important to have measures in place to make finding the little explorer easier. These tips will help you keep your dog safe.
CONSIDER HIRING A DOG TRAINER
Veterinarian-recommended trainers at Say It Once Dog Training believe the only difference between a well-behaved dog and a dog that has behavioral issues is a knowledgeable owner. Working with owners and their dogs with private at-home sessions, the trainers don’t just train the dog, they train the whole family by providing the tools, confidence and understanding necessary to have a well-behaved dog. By teaching your dog commands and giving rewards for good behavior, you reduce the chances of your furry child running off to chase a squirrel.
INSTALL A STURDY FENCE AND KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PET
If you live in a house, having a fenced-in backyard is ideal for your dog. This gives the pup plenty of room to run around without having to always be on a leash. However, it’s important to check the perimeter of the yard because smaller dogs can often dig up an escape route. And there are some larger dogs who can leap over the fence like a gazelle.
Even with a fence, it’s best not to leave a dog unattended for extended periods of time. While some folks prefer to have an automatic doggy door installed so the pet can come and go anytime, this really only benefits the owner – keeping them from having to open and close the door for the dog. “Many dogs have escaped the confines of the yard due to loud noises, other dogs, or carelessness,” said Kelly Habenicht, a 10-year animal shelter volunteer. “It is always best not to leave a dog unattended in the yard.”
ALWAYS WALK YOUR DOG WITH A LEASH
Of course, your furry adventure-seeker is going to insist on sniffing everything in sight when you take him out for a walk. Be sure to use a leash and harness that’s comfortable for your pet but also allows enough distance to give your dog some freedom. “It’s best to loop the leash around your hand for extra control but more importantly, keep your focus on your dog, not your phone,” said Habenicht. Even a well-trained dog can become distracted when a squirrel lures him into a chase, so it’s best to limit those leash-free walks to the dog park.
BE SURE YOUR DOG HAS AN IDENTIFICATION TAG
Wearing a dog collar with an ID tag seems simple, but often pet owners take the collar off when their dog is inside. That’s fine as long as no one leaves the door ajar. If you have kids that run in and out frequently or if you’re entertaining guests, Fido might slip out unnoticed. If he has his ID tag on with your address and phone number, an animal-loving good Samaritan can track you down and return your pet.
CONSIDER A MICROCHIP FOR YOUR PET
Having a microchip inserted in your pet adds another layer of protection against losing your beloved furry family member. When someone finds your dog and ends her epic adventure, they can take the dog to a shelter, veterinarian or a pet store to have the chip read. A database will reveal your contact information and you’ll have your wild girl back home again soon.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE
Technology is a good friend to dog owners – especially when your pet runs away. A GPS dog tracker is one of the ways technology helps. When your dog is missing, just open the app and you’ll be able to pinpoint his location.
For a top-of-the-line GPS tracker that also works as a wireless smart fence and more, consider investing in a Halo Collar. Co-founded by world-renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan, Halo utilizes Millan’s expertise with dog psychology to deliver built-in training technology that gently teaches dogs to respond quickly and consistently to customizable prevention and encouragement feedback. Pet owners can use this training to establish virtual boundaries set up with the app while also observing the real-time GPS location of their dogs. “With Halo, you can now communicate with your dog in a way that was previously not possible, allowing you to keep your dog safe and secure with the power of technology,” said Millan.
Halo Collar introduced its new AI-driven Halo Collar 3 in September, boasting the most accurate GPS dog fence ever created plus real time location on any cellular network worldwide. “We are thrilled to be giving dogs and their families the most accurate GPS fence on the market,” said Halo co-founder Ken Ehrman. “These first-of-its-kind hardware and design advancements show our continued commitment to providing the best for pet parents everywhere with the most accurate location tracking for dogs.”