What Is the Least Effective Method to Retrieve a Dog That Has Got Off-Leash?

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Dogs easily get excited when they encounter something new or interesting, and they have that curiosity to explore everything.

Due to this nature, it becomes tricky for pet parents to take them for a walk. As it increases, the chances that the dog might want to get rid of the leash to explore anything new in their surrounding.

Dog off leash

So, we are here to help you.

This blog will not only give answer to your question regarding what is the least effective method to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash. But also provide you best effective way to prevent this incident in the future.

Without wasting any minute, let’s dig in to gain knowledge, which will help you to handle the situation wisely in the future.

The Least Effective Method to Retrieve a Dog That Has Got Off-Leash

These are the 4 least effective methods, which should not be practiced by pet parents to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash. Keep on reading to avoid such mistake in the future.[1]

1. Screaming and Shouting

One of the least effective method by pet parent to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash is yelling or shouting out his name. This will not help you out in any way, it will lead your dog’s mind in a different direction.

Screaming and Shouting on Dog

If you shout out your furry pal’s name, he will think that you are playing a game with him, and will get more excited. On the other hand, there is the possibility that he might take this negatively. He might find your voice full of anger, and out of fear, he won’t try to reach you.

2. Running After Your Dog

Woah Woah Woah!

Running after a dog who has just got off-leash is not worth it. Allow me to explain to you in a better way.

Look, when you run after your dog he thinks you are chasing him, which indicates him the wrong signal. He thinks that you guys are playing some kind of game, where one has to chase another, and so he tries to run faster. And my friend, you just cannot compete the speed of a dog who is running at his best speed.

Chasing The Dog

Moreover, if you guys are in a busy road, then it creates more danger for your fido. Because he will not look out for a traffic, and might get bam with a car and face an accident.

So, running after him won’t help you anyway, it’s better not to chase him from the back.

3. Punishing or Threatening Him

Well, being a pet parent it’s important to train your dog, guide him what is right and wrong. But, that doesn’t mean you will punish or threat him for doing wrong things.

Threatening The Dog

Punishing or threatening him is the least effective way to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash. This is because they will think that if they return home you will punish him, so they won’t try to reach you.

Next time, if he comes back home, shower love and care instead of giving him punishment.

4. Going Back Home

One of the least effective method to retrieve a dog that has got off leash is by giving up on your investigation, and simply head back to home.

Taking Dog Back To Home

This gesture is totally wrong. Being a pet parent if you think that he will come back on his own, then it’s just counted as an irresponsible act from your side.

This is because your dog might visit the last place, where you guys were spending time, or nearby location.

Note:- You should have microchipped your dog, so that it could have been easy to track down his activity, and last visited place through GPS tracker.

The Best Effective Method to Retrieve a Dog That has got Off-leash

As Per akc Prevention is the most effective way to make sure this does not happen. Never let your dog off-leash outside a secure fenced area.” Here, we have jotted down well researched 7 best effective method to retrieve your dogs that has got off-leash. It will surely help you to handle the situation wisely.[2]

1. Lure the Dog With Treat or Toy

When your dog has got off leash, then this trick is one of the most effective ways to retrieve him back.

Give Treat To Dog

We would suggest you to carry his favorite treat and toy, whenever you step outside with him for a walk or game activity. If in case he takes off his leash, you can divert his mind by offering his favorite treat, so that he will come back.

Similarly, his favorite toy will also help you to drag his mind towards you, and you will be able to convince him to come back to you.

2. Calm Down

If your dog has taken off his leash, it might be because he has found something interesting, or in an exiting mood to carry out a quirky habit. In such case, it is important to lower down his excitement, and calm yourself to handle the situation wisely.

Make Your Dog Calm Down

For instance, you are in a busy area, and your dog has taken off his leash. To retrieve your dog, you need to be very calm, even if you are angry you have to control it. Because any wrong step can lead to an unfortunate incident for your furry pal.

3. Run in the Opposite Direction

Well, when your dog is off-leash, then instead of chasing him back, it’s better to run in the opposite direction. It will help you to draw his attention towards you, and he will chase you back.

It’s kind of reverse psychology method. In other words, when you run in the opposite direction, it makes your pooch think where you are going, or create confusion that you are playing another game.

So, this trick will help you to draw his attention towards you, and he will chase you back.

4. Call Your Pooch by His Name

One of the best effective method to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash is call him by his name with a soft and cheering voice.

Calling Dog By his Name

Do not shout or show anger in your voice, rather make him believe that you are worried and love him. So, try this trick in a hope that he will revert or come back to you.

5. Quickly Lay Down

Immediately lay down trick might sound weird/strange, but it is one of the effective method to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash. Plus, make sure your dog is around you or have seen you, otherwise this trick is useless.

All you need to do is call out your dog, and wherever you are, just lay down on the ground. This act will confuse him and make him worried what happened to you, he will come running towards you to check whether you are fine or not.

As we know, dog love their owners so if anything happen to you, he will get scared or tensed. This trick is useful to get him back because he can’t afford to lose you.

Note:- If your dog is not microchipped, then when he returns, get him microchipped immediately. So that you don’t have to face so much hustle in searching him in the future.[3]

6. Seek Help From Animal Control

Even after so much hustle, if you are not able to find your lost dog, then it is important to seek help from animal control department. They will guide you in a better way, and they are the most reliable source to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash.

Department members will circulate your dog’s information, and pictures among animal care center, lost and found pet group, etc. They will collect the clue and visit the last place from where your dog is missing, and then accordingly conduct their investigation.

If your furry pal is microchipped, then it will become easier for them to solve the case.

7. Take Advantage of Social Media

Using social media to track down your lost furry pal is one of the best effective methods.

All you need to do, post a few pictures of your dog along with a lost note, which includes basic information of your dog’s personality and behavior. And don’t forget to include your address, and contact number, so people can easily contact you.

You can also add reward to attract more people’s attention.

Posting about your lost dog information on your social media platform will make your work easy, and your post will get broadcasted to a lot of your connections.

In addition, circulating your post on lost and found pet group will also help you out.

FAQs

Why you shouldn’t pull on a dog’s leash?

Well, dragging or pulling your furry pal’s leash will not only injured his delicate neck, but also make him frustrated, and aggressive. Also, he won’t feel safe or happy when you take him out for a walk, putting a leash.

Can dogs smell their owners from miles away?

According to the health JournalDog smells depends on conditions such as wind and type of scent, but they have been reported to smell objects and people over 12 miles away.” We can’t deny the fact, dogs have a strong sense of smell. If the air passes through their nose, and contain the scent of owner, then he can easily detect owner’s presence from miles away.

Do dogs panic when they get lost?

Yes, dogs do panic when they get lost. In fact, dogs that don’t usually get scared at home, they become frightened when they are lost. It has been observed that most dogs firstly calm themselves, and then try to reach people or find their way to home. On the other hand, there are many dogs who just hide themselves, and do not approach anyone.

Bottom Line

Hopefully, we were able to give you appropriate content regarding, what is the least effective method to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash.

Now you know, very well, that yelling or shouting at your dog won’t help you to retrieve him back. They will get frightened/scare, and won’t try to reach you.

We have also discussed an effective method to retrieve a dog that has got off-leash, like lure them with favorite treat, and toys, you can take help from animal control, use social media profile, etc.

Be calm enough, to deal with the situation.

References:

  1. Westgarth, C., Christley, R. M., Pinchbeck, G. L., Gaskell, R. M., Dawson, S., & Bradshaw, J. W. (2010). Dog behaviour on walks and the effect of use of the leash. Applied Animal Behaviour Science125(1-2), 38-46.
  2. Leung, Y. F., Walden-Schreiner, C., Conlon, K., & Miller, A. B. (2015). A simple method for monitoring dog leash compliance behavior in parks and natural areas. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism9, 11-16.
  3. Lord, L. K., Griffin, B., Slater, M. R., & Levy, J. K. (2010). Evaluation of collars and microchips for visual and permanent identification of pet cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association237(4), 387-394.

REFERENCE:

  1. Situ, J. (2023, March 3). What Is the Least Effective Method to Retrieve a Dog That Has Got Off-Leash? DogLikesBest. Retrieved March 3, 2023, from https://www.doglikesbest.com/what-is-the-least-effective-method-to-retrieve-a-dog-that-has-got-off-leash/