Key takeaways
- Unfortunately, woods are very common areas for dogs to go missing. Because of the endless nooks and crannies for hiding and the many different trails, when a dog runs away, they can get lost easily.
- We break down 3 simple steps to find your lost dog. These include retracing your steps, leaving items along the trail, and spreading the message.
- We'll also look at the do's and don'ts of finding a lost dog in the woods to make sure your search is as effective as possible.
3 Steps for finding lost dogs in the woods
Sometimes, our dogs get a little too excited at the prospect of a walk in the woods. This can sometimes result in them running away and becoming lost. Dense forest can be confusing and disorienting to dogs. But don't worry. Follow these 3 steps to find them again!
1. Retrace your steps
When a dog takes off, they're likely to follow familiar smells. This means instead of running into new territory, they will often follow their scent back to the car.
However, along the way, they can become distracted by new smells or startled into hiding.
If your dog has bounded off, don't continue your walk. Turn around and retrace your steps all the way back to the starting point. As you go, rattle treats and call their name.
Remember to do this softly. If their fight or flight has been triggered, they may be in survival mode. This means they will be easily spooked, so make sure to tread quietly and keep your tone positive and non-threatening.
2. Leave items as you go
A dog is smell-oriented. The key to understanding their location is through new and familiar smells. If they are lost, they will rely on recognizing your scent to find their way back to you.
To help them out, you can leave items on the trail as you go.
This could include jumpers, tops, scarves, toys, and anything that has a strong smell. This will tell your dog where you are going so he can follow the trail. Dogs can smell up to 12 miles away, so tapping into this superpower is essential.
3. Spread the message
Most trails will have notice boards at the beginning of the walk and often throughout. These are great places to pin posters to alert other dog walkers that your pup is missing. Include contact details so sightings can be reported directly to you.
Alongside this, start a PetRadar search. You can select the location where your dog was last seen and then choose the radius of the search you want. We then use sponsored posts on social media that advertise your missing pup to over 4,000 people in the area.
We will:
- Instantly notify you when any sightings are reported
- Create a personal dashboard for you to monitor and manage your search
- Provide a missing dog poster designed by experts (with a QR code instead of a cell phone number to keep your contact details private)
- Offer personal support and guidance throughout the whole process
Dos and don'ts of finding a lost pet in the woods
There is a lot of contradicting information out there about what to do when your buddy takes off in the woods. To make it more simple, we're breaking it down into dos and don'ts.
Dos for finding a lost dog in the woods
- Leave food along the trail: We know our furry friends are obsessed with food. If anything is going to motivate them to come out of hiding, it's probably a tasty treat! Even if your lost dog isn't hiding, the smell will help them follow the trail back to the car.
- Gently call your dog's name: Softly calling your pup's name should help calm your lost dog. Their hearing is incredibly advanced, and they should be able to determine your exact location if they hear your call.
- Search the woods: A thorough physical search is always the most effective way to find lost pets. Go through the woods actively looking for your pup. If it seems like too big a task, return to the woods after you've found people willing to help.
Don'ts for finding a lost dog in the woods
- Shout confusing messages: Keeping your calls to just your dog's name is the way to go. If you start calling out other messages, then your dog may become confused and frightened.
- Use a frustrating or angry tone: It's possible your furry friend has already gone into survival mode. This means they will be trying to avoid any contact with people, especially people who sound angry or dangerous. Keep your voice neutral and kind. These calming signals will help put your pet at ease.
- Assume your dog will find their way out: While dogs are very intelligent and have advanced homing abilities, you can't assume they will find their way back home, especially when navigating a wooded area. Plenty of factors can influence this ability, like age and breed.
Why dogs go missing in the woods
We know how much our dogs love the woods. As soon as they see their stomping ground, it's usually instant zoomies!
However, unfortunately, many pups run away and get lost in the woods. But why is this? And is there a way you can prevent it?
Hunting instinct
A rogue squirrel can be enough to send our furry friends into a frenzy. This hunting instinct is too strong to be ignored, and it can mean your dog will chase prey for a long time before they realize where they are.
They can then become displaced and disoriented. Unsure of their way back to the group, they may decide to hide or to continue wandering (often in the wrong direction).
Seeking an adventure
Sometimes, our dogs just want a new adventure. Woods are the perfect place to do this, with countless routes, hiding places, and animals.
If your dog is bored, maybe from walking the same route too many times, they can decide to take off. Or, if they are new to the woods, then they'll want to see as much of it as they can as soon as they can. There's nothing stopping a curious pup!
New smells
Dogs are attracted to new smells and will need to explore and follow any scents they pick up on. This means if they are in unfamiliar territory, they will be exposed to hundreds if not thousands of new smells telling them to go in different directions.
Once your dog is following a smell, it's nearly impossible to stop them. Unfortunately, many pups do this for miles, meaning they can soon find themselves very far from home.
How to prevent your dog from running away
There are many ways to prevent your dog from running away. However, how effective they are varies from one dog to another.
So, it's worth trying a few different preventative measures and seeing which one suits your pup the best.
- Training: An obvious choice is to train your dog thoroughly. For example, saying 'heel' will tell your dog to remain by your side, so if you suspect your dog is about to bound off, you can use this command. Alternatively, you can train your dog to return to you with a certain sound, like the click of a lead.
- Keeping them on the leash: I know it's the last thing we want to do when our dogs are keen to run, but keeping them on the lead can prevent them from getting lost. We'd advise only doing this when you're taking your dog to a new trail. This can be helpful as they get used to the smells and sights in a safe way.
- Fitting a tracking device: Small tracking devices that clip on to a collar can be a great stress reliever for owners. The ability to track your pup's movements means they can enjoy the freedom of running around, and you can enjoy the comfort of knowing where they are.
Will a lost dog come home on their own?
Many lost dogs have the ability to find their way home. However, this does depend on the breed of dog and their age.
Older dogs will likely have poorer hearing and sight, making it difficult for them to determine their location. Similarly, some breeds of dogs will have heightened senses of smell and hearing, whereas others may struggle.
You should never expect your dog to come home on their own. Instead, you should always be actively searching and calling local animal shelters.
To help attract your pup back home, try the following:
- Leave food outside: The smell of your buddy's favorite food may be enough to attract them back home. They're also likely to be pretty hungry if they've missed a meal because of their adventure!
- Leave a blanket and toys outside: Anything that will have a strong smell of their territory on it, like clothes, toys, and blankets, should be left outside. Dogs can pick up on these smells from miles away, so it's worth trying!
- Open doors and windows: By opening up doors and windows, you'll make the familiar sounds of your household more accessible to your lost pup. This can help them locate themselves and find their way back to you.
FAQs
Final thoughts
The main thing to remember is not to panic. Plenty of dogs go missing in the woods, and the majority are found safe and well.
To put your mind at ease and have a better chance of being reunited with your missing pet, start a PetRadar search.
This will mean that over 4,000 people in the area will be notified of your adventurous dog and will be on the lookout. We'll notify you instantly when any sightings are reported so you can stay proactive in your search.
We've already found {{petsFoundBack}}, so you're in good hands. Our main priority is to get your dog home, so if there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to reach out.
