Lost dog: how to cope with every dog owner’s worst nightmare

Leave no stone, piece of furniture, cardboard box or loose board unturned in the home, garage or yard before accepting that you have a lost dog and your worst nightmare has become a reality. Dogs, especially small dogs, can get themselves into the darnedest places. Check closets, even if the doors are closed, under beds, under furniture and under the laundry in the laundry basket.

After every possible, or seemingly impossible, hiding place has been eliminated it is time to accept that you have a lost dog.

Do not despair. Even though your dog is lost and you are forced to cope with every dog owner’s worst nightmare, there are many resources designed to help you cope. There is no need to go at it alone, and you certainly should not try to.

It is time to rally the troops and begin the exhaustive search down every avenue!

Lost Dog: How to Cope With Every Dog Owner’s Worst Nightmare

Start Close to Home

Talk to everyone living in the house to determine when the dog was last seen. Knowing approximately when the dog was lost will help give you an estimated search area radius. While many dogs can travel quite far before people even know they are lost, most will wander and explore in their own neighborhood for a while. He may still be very close to home.

Make Sure He Isn’t Just Visiting

Contact the neighbors to make sure the dog isn’t there. Dogs often make friends with their owner’s neighbors. If a neighbor saw the dog loose, they may have taken him in. He may be enjoying a friendly visit with the neighbor instead of beginning that lost-dog nightmare that every dog owner dreads.

If the dog isn’t with the neighbor, enlist their help. Many neighbors have dogs of their own. They will likely recognize that their worst nightmare is coming true for you and want to help in any way they can.

Comb the Neighborhood

Before you assume the worst – thinking your beloved furry friend has begun his worst nightmare at the dog pound – grab his leash and go for a walk. Be sure to take his favorite treat with you and reward him when you find him.

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