Perhaps your family added a puppy this holiday season, or maybe you are planning a long-distance move with a not-so-young pup. Either way, there are plenty of reasons and opportunities for your dog to ‘bolt’ and end up lost and alone, or worse - dead.

Every dog owner fears losing his best friend, and no one should ever experience losing him too soon due to an easy-to-avoid-circumstance. Dogs will naturally run. Even if they love you, they may run. It is your responsibility to keep your pup safe and happy, and there are several ways that you can do so!

Prevent Losing Your Dog

Microchip Your Dog

This should go without saying, but so many dog owners do not have their dogs chipped. The chip contains an owner’s information and can be scanned by any animal shelter. While it won’t prevent your dog from getting lost, it can make for a fast and easy reunion.

Purchase a Quality Collar

Another way to be quickly reunited with your bolting pup is to have your information in plain sight, directly on your dog’s collar. It can be a tag or engraved. Include your dog’s name and your phone number; if there is room, add your address.

Invest in Training

A properly trained dog can be broken of bad habits like running out of an open door, digging under a fence, or not returning when being called. Good training is worth every penny and can grant you a peace of mind that you otherwise may never have. One of the most common ways a dog gets lost is from the simple act of opening the front door. That’s right, you have a guest arrive, the door is opened, and your dog takes his chance to run. It only takes minutes

Properly Fence Your Yard

Dogs are capable of digging under, climbing over, and even opening up fences and gates. Walk your fence line weekly to ensure that there are no obvious ways that your dog can escape. Keep anything climbable away from the fence, too. If you have an electric fence, check it weekly to make sure the power is working, and make sure to have 2 collars, with one on the charger while the other is being worn.

Supervise Your Dog

Even in the safest of yards, your dog may find a way to get out and get lost. Do not leave your dog outside for extended periods of time, and keep your eyes on him from inside the house.

Keep Your Dog Leashed

When out and about, use a strong leash. Don’t assume your dog will stay by your side while you grab the newspaper. It only takes a quick distraction for him to go on the hunt and end up in traffic or lost.

Spay or Neuter Your Dog

All sources state the same thing when it comes to many dogs ‘running away.’ They say that a dog who has not been spayed or neutered is constantly searching for a dog to partner with. This desire can make the most loyal dog dig his way out of the yard.