Lost dogs

What to do if you lose your dog on a walk

If you lose your dog on a walk because he ran off after a rabbit or something exciting in the bushes try not to panic. Dogs have great noses and are pretty good at finding their way back to you.

• Stay in the spot where you last saw your dog. Dogs are likely to be able to re-trace their steps back to this point, but if you keep moving around and searching then you will confuse your dog’s scent trail.

• If your dog cannot find you in the spot they went missing, they might go back to your car. So if your dog does not come back to the point you lost him, then retrace your steps back to your car.

• If you do need to go home without your dog, then leave something behind with your scent on (and ideally his scent too) either in the spot you last saw him, or in the spot where you parked your car. Leave a note with your mobile number on it too in case someone sees your dog on your spot but cannot catch him. You could also leave some food out in this place.

• Make sure you have some battery and signal on your mobile phone in case someone tries to call you because they have found him. If not, divert your phone to someone that does!

• Call anyone at home and have them keep a look out in case your dog tries to make his own way back home but can't get access.

How to report your dog as lost

If you really cannot find your dog and you think he is properly lost, then this is what you should do:

• Notify the local dog warden (go you your council's website for details)

• Contact www.doglost.co.uk and report your dog as missing

• Contact your microchip register and report your dog as missing. Also make sure your contact details are up to date

• Call all your local vets in the area to alert them

• Call your local kennels (where the dog warden is likely to take them) to alert them

• Post on your local town social media pages and your local lost dog pages

• Print posters and either laminate them or put them inside plastic sleeves and attach to lampposts and telegraphs poles around the area where the dog went missing to raise awareness

• If your dog is still missing for over 48 hours or if your dog is a new rescue, contact Lost Dog Recovery UK South who provide specialist help for missing dogs, especially new rescues who are scared and likely to be hard to catch. They have specialist knowledge, skills and equipment for trapping.

Don't be tempted to chase your lost dog

Scared dogs don't make good decisions. In panic mode they are very likely to run into traffic, cross train lines or keep running away, pushing them further away from people. Whilst you do want to raise awareness and have people report sightings to you, don't encourage lots of people to go out searching as they are likely to chase/scare your dog even more, making him feel hunted. Have them phone you with information, then quietly go to the area. If you see your dog, get down low, have lots of yummy smelly food (sardines, cheese, meatballs) and stay quiet. Hopefully your dog will come to you. Whatever happens, don't be tempted to chase.