Preventing Lost Dogs

Stressed dogs have a high flight risk. Dogs you don’t know may startle or bolt to triggers you are unaware of. Be vigilant in how you handle them to prevent escapes. Until you know him better, always use a leash or long line even when in a securely fenced area, as frightened or over-aroused dogs can be creative escape artists. 

Always have identification tag(s) on the dog. Use a breakaway collar if you are concerned about entanglement during play or tags getting caught.

• All Golden Bond Rescue dogs are microchipped before adoption.
• Adopters: Be sure to notify the microchip company of any change in phone number or address.
• Fosters: Foster dogs must always wear a collar with an ID tag with your phone number and Golden Bond ID tag, even inside the home.

Prevent escape from collars and harnesses. Dogs can slip out of collars and harnesses. For added security, use a double attachment - have a leash clipped to the collar and a separate one to the harness.  

• Martingale collars are more secure than quick release buckle style collars, and some come with a buckle, making them easier with shy, aroused or wiggly dogs. 
• A slip lead plus a leash attached to collar or harness is an alternative.
• Carry treats when walking your dog in case he escapes or you accidentally drop the leash. A quick treat scatter can stop a dog in his tracks. 

Prevent door-dashing. Using a secondary barrier provides additional security, e.g., a baby gate to block access to an outside door or an x-pen set back from the doorway. 

• Until you know that your dog won’t bolt out the front door when you’re exiting, it is a good idea to back out of the door so that you can keep an eye on the dog and prevent him from slipping past you.
• Take extra precautions when friends, relatives and workers are visiting. Keep your dog on leash or in a secure area if there is a lot of activity in which people are coming and going and the dog cannot be supervised.
• Teach the dog to wait at doors, gates, and when exiting vehicles. Teach "Wait At a Door" (Best Friends Animal Society)

Keep the yard secure. Make sure gate(s) are latched at all times. Always check fence gates and doors to outside exits before letting your dog outside.

• Check fence perimeters regularly for holes or weak areas and repair immediately. Remember that other animals could dig in too!  
• Teach all household members and visitors to close doors and gates behind them.
• Use a chain with a snap bolt to secure gates whenever possible. This extra step assures that you have securely closed off the enclosure.
• Remember that young children often forget to close gates when busy playing and their friends may not know the rules. Whenever possible, padlock gates that are not regularly used and could lead to escape.

Don’t risk having the dog off leash. Always use a leash when taking your dog to the car and in unfenced areas. Keep the leash in a convenient location so there is no temptation to take him out without it, even just one time. Once may be all it takes to lose your dog or him to be hit by a car.

• Use long lines instead of allowing the dog to be off leash. Long lines allow the dog freedom to play and explore while keeping him safe.
• Do not go for walks or runs with your dog off-leash, even in remote or rural areas. It only takes one moment of inattention or distraction to lose track of your dog.
• Fosters: Your foster dog must always be on leash except when in a totally enclosed and secure area.

Prevent the dog from escaping a car. Transport the dog either in a crate or securely tethered using a harness.

• For tethers, make sure the tether is short enough to prevent access to the driver or to jump out of a door or window.
• For crates or wire partitions, be extremely careful to prevent the dog from dashing out. You can leave the leash on, or open the crate door just enough to get one hand inside, blocking the access with your body. Also, sprinkle a few treats at the dog’s feet to distract while you clip or get a hand on the leash.

Avoid using dog doors. Dog doors are risky, especially when introducing a new dog into your home. The new dog has no idea where he is, and you don’t know what triggers may provoke him to escape. The most secure yard may not be safe for a dog who is frightened. Giving a new dog free and unsupervised access to the yard is a potential danger, and not worth the risk.