What do I do if my Dog gets loose?
A step by step Plan
Lost or found MGAP dogs:
Email: deblevasseur@rogers.com
Call: Office 506 384-0000 or 506 874-9285 or Justin 506 381-9997
A step by step Plan
Lost or found MGAP dogs:
Email: deblevasseur@rogers.com
Call: Office 506 384-0000 or 506 874-9285 or Justin 506 381-9997
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Something we all hate to think about…but yes, it can happen to anyone – no matter how careful we are, accidents or the unexpected can happen. The most important thing is to have a clear plan in mind.
Prevention
Always having a TAG collar on your Grey so you will have something to grab onto when the door is open and it allows you to have your tags on your Grey – if he should escape.
A tag with proper identification – the adoption groups phone number as well as your phone number and the dogs name. MGAP does provide all its dogs with a ID Tag with the dogs registration number and the groups phone number and we do require that all their dogs have this ID tag on.
Signs by your doors to remind people to watch for the dog.
Always wrap the loop of the leash around your hand at least twice before heading out; it only takes a split second for them to pull loose.
Put the leash on the dog and have someone hold it while you open the car door to take him out.
Teach him a reliable “stay” or “wait” command and practice this in and out of the car and doors.
Be sure all doors, especially screen door are closed properly so they cannot nudge them open.
If you have a fenced yard – have pad locks or carabiners on all gates.
Check your fence often for damage or loose posts.
Train anyone who handles your Grey on all of the aforementioned.
What to do if he does escape – an action plan!
STAY CALM!
Do a quick search of the immediate area – 5-10 minutes. Especially neighbors yards who have dogs. Call him with happy voice & if he doesnt come to you, turn away from him and make your self seem very exciting - high pitch exciting happy voice and run away in a playful manner - he should come to you then. Have treats and a leash.
Call your Greyhound Adoption group to let them know they may be getting a call and if they have offered to help, they can start to assist by calling members and coordinate a search plan.
Who to Call:
Your adoption group!
All animal shelters in your area
Police
All Vet hospitals in the area
Radio Stations
Friends, neighbours & relatives - anyone who may help in search and ask them to find people to assist as well.
Coordinating the search: (whether it is the adoption group or a friend)
-Everyone in the search should call the coordinator with any sightings and as many people as possible should have cell phones so that the coordinator can call them to keep them updated on his location.
-Keep all calls short & to the point.
-Have all sightings mapped with the times and places.
-Send “teams” to different areas of the search area.
- Have the searchers circle the area of the sightings and if possible block him from crossing a busy road or highway. Have the owner(s) right in the “midst” calling his name often – “always in a cheerful voice”. Others should call his name as well and use the loud squawker. Canadian Tire or other such stores should have these. Have one on hand.
-They should have some peanut butter and favourite treats to lure the dog to them. When the dog gets close – stay calm, crouch down and don’t alarm the dog – reach out slowly for his collar or give him a secure hug so you can slip one onto him.
What to bring:
-Cell phone
-Pen & paper for writing phone numbers
-Leash already attached to a Collar – even if the dog was wearing a collar when lost. It is easier to slip the entire set over the dog's head than hold onto the dog while trying to attach the lead to the collar.
-Peanut butter and or favourite treat
-Water and metal bowl
-First Aid kit
-Flashlight (if dark or getting dark soon)
-Field glasses
- A squawker
Tips:
Set up a crate with some food in it on your front step, he may come home & go into it for security.
If you find your dog but he won't come to you and starts to run or move away, try running away from the dog. This may may sound strange but your Grey may just start to chase after you, and we know how they love to chase; and I believe he can catch you!
If he is not found within 5-6 hours, have posters placed all over the neighbourhood (remember to take them back down once you've found your dog). See end of document for more details on this..
You want to cover the area as much as possible with information about your lost Grey. The better your coverage, the greater the possibility that someone will recognize him and help in the search. While you are out searching, talk to people walking or who are out and about. Sightings are very important and will help to keep you on the right track.
Be prepared that the longer the greyhound is lost, the more likely he is to have some injuries, become dehydrated, or suffer from malnutrition. The temperature also counts. The colder the weather, the more important a quick recovery is. Hot weather is also a great concern.
Don't give up! Never assume your dog has been picked up by someone just because you haven't had any sightings in awhile. Grey's can be very good at hiding out.
Stay positive: A long search can be discouraging. Just keep in mind your Greyhound is still out there somewhere searching for you too, and you can still find him even after a very long period of time. So keep looking. Don’t give up. Your precious grey is counting on you.
Include the following when posting flyers of your Greyhound:
Location: City or Town/ Street/ with nearby cross Streets.
Date: When was your hound last seen?
Description: Male/Female and Colour, was he wearing any identification?
Picture: if possible
Is he friendly and outgoing, or shy and spooky?
Contact Information: Name, phone numbers of owners & adoption group.
When he is FOUND!
If your dog has been lost for more than 24 hours (or less depending on extreme weather conditions) or shows visible signs of illness or injury, take him/her to a vet ASAP to be examined.
Check for signs of heat stroke or hypothermia.
Check the pads of his feet for cuts or damage.
Check for dehydration by lifting the scruff of his neck and watch to see if it goes immediately back in place, if not he is dehydrated and should see a vet at once.
Check his body all over for cuts or wounds and clean and treat as required.
Watch him for a few days to be sure he is acting like he good old self and eating and eliminating normally.
DO NOT SCOLD! LOVE!
Prevention
Always having a TAG collar on your Grey so you will have something to grab onto when the door is open and it allows you to have your tags on your Grey – if he should escape.
A tag with proper identification – the adoption groups phone number as well as your phone number and the dogs name. MGAP does provide all its dogs with a ID Tag with the dogs registration number and the groups phone number and we do require that all their dogs have this ID tag on.
Signs by your doors to remind people to watch for the dog.
Always wrap the loop of the leash around your hand at least twice before heading out; it only takes a split second for them to pull loose.
Put the leash on the dog and have someone hold it while you open the car door to take him out.
Teach him a reliable “stay” or “wait” command and practice this in and out of the car and doors.
Be sure all doors, especially screen door are closed properly so they cannot nudge them open.
If you have a fenced yard – have pad locks or carabiners on all gates.
Check your fence often for damage or loose posts.
Train anyone who handles your Grey on all of the aforementioned.
What to do if he does escape – an action plan!
STAY CALM!
Do a quick search of the immediate area – 5-10 minutes. Especially neighbors yards who have dogs. Call him with happy voice & if he doesnt come to you, turn away from him and make your self seem very exciting - high pitch exciting happy voice and run away in a playful manner - he should come to you then. Have treats and a leash.
Call your Greyhound Adoption group to let them know they may be getting a call and if they have offered to help, they can start to assist by calling members and coordinate a search plan.
Who to Call:
Your adoption group!
All animal shelters in your area
Police
All Vet hospitals in the area
Radio Stations
Friends, neighbours & relatives - anyone who may help in search and ask them to find people to assist as well.
Coordinating the search: (whether it is the adoption group or a friend)
-Everyone in the search should call the coordinator with any sightings and as many people as possible should have cell phones so that the coordinator can call them to keep them updated on his location.
-Keep all calls short & to the point.
-Have all sightings mapped with the times and places.
-Send “teams” to different areas of the search area.
- Have the searchers circle the area of the sightings and if possible block him from crossing a busy road or highway. Have the owner(s) right in the “midst” calling his name often – “always in a cheerful voice”. Others should call his name as well and use the loud squawker. Canadian Tire or other such stores should have these. Have one on hand.
-They should have some peanut butter and favourite treats to lure the dog to them. When the dog gets close – stay calm, crouch down and don’t alarm the dog – reach out slowly for his collar or give him a secure hug so you can slip one onto him.
What to bring:
-Cell phone
-Pen & paper for writing phone numbers
-Leash already attached to a Collar – even if the dog was wearing a collar when lost. It is easier to slip the entire set over the dog's head than hold onto the dog while trying to attach the lead to the collar.
-Peanut butter and or favourite treat
-Water and metal bowl
-First Aid kit
-Flashlight (if dark or getting dark soon)
-Field glasses
- A squawker
Tips:
Set up a crate with some food in it on your front step, he may come home & go into it for security.
If you find your dog but he won't come to you and starts to run or move away, try running away from the dog. This may may sound strange but your Grey may just start to chase after you, and we know how they love to chase; and I believe he can catch you!
If he is not found within 5-6 hours, have posters placed all over the neighbourhood (remember to take them back down once you've found your dog). See end of document for more details on this..
You want to cover the area as much as possible with information about your lost Grey. The better your coverage, the greater the possibility that someone will recognize him and help in the search. While you are out searching, talk to people walking or who are out and about. Sightings are very important and will help to keep you on the right track.
Be prepared that the longer the greyhound is lost, the more likely he is to have some injuries, become dehydrated, or suffer from malnutrition. The temperature also counts. The colder the weather, the more important a quick recovery is. Hot weather is also a great concern.
Don't give up! Never assume your dog has been picked up by someone just because you haven't had any sightings in awhile. Grey's can be very good at hiding out.
Stay positive: A long search can be discouraging. Just keep in mind your Greyhound is still out there somewhere searching for you too, and you can still find him even after a very long period of time. So keep looking. Don’t give up. Your precious grey is counting on you.
Include the following when posting flyers of your Greyhound:
Location: City or Town/ Street/ with nearby cross Streets.
Date: When was your hound last seen?
Description: Male/Female and Colour, was he wearing any identification?
Picture: if possible
Is he friendly and outgoing, or shy and spooky?
Contact Information: Name, phone numbers of owners & adoption group.
When he is FOUND!
If your dog has been lost for more than 24 hours (or less depending on extreme weather conditions) or shows visible signs of illness or injury, take him/her to a vet ASAP to be examined.
Check for signs of heat stroke or hypothermia.
Check the pads of his feet for cuts or damage.
Check for dehydration by lifting the scruff of his neck and watch to see if it goes immediately back in place, if not he is dehydrated and should see a vet at once.
Check his body all over for cuts or wounds and clean and treat as required.
Watch him for a few days to be sure he is acting like he good old self and eating and eliminating normally.
DO NOT SCOLD! LOVE!
