5 Common Reasons Dogs Run Away From Home

If you keep an eye on local media, you may already know that rescue centers and shelters are overflowing with dogs.

Although many of those dogs are there through being surrendered, lots are unfortunately strays that have been collected from the street.

Those dogs have often run away from home. In their position, they run the risk of being adopted by a new family, or if they have been there too long, they sadly may be put to sleep. 

The worry of losing a pet and never finding them is something many dog owners worry about. We want to give our dogs the freedom to enjoy walks and the outdoors, but we also want to keep them safe too. 

One of the best ways to ensure your dog remains safe and happy is to understand common reasons that he might run away from home.

The more you know, the abler you will be to prevent his escape in the first place rather than wondering how to find a lost dog.

5 Common Reasons Dogs Run Away

Rest assured your dog loves you, a lot. However, assuming they love you so much they will never escape is a mistake. 

Dogs are individuals and there can be lots of reasons that they might want to leave the comfortable home you have provided for them. Here are some common reasons that dogs run away:

1. They Are Frightened

A dog that is suddenly very afraid because of loud noise or, phobia triggers, may do anything to get away from the cause of fear. Fear is an extremely common reason that a dog might run away.

2. The Dog Is Looking To Mate

A dog that is looking to mate may well be driven by strong forces to go and find another dog to breed with. If they are in the backyard or on a loose leash and they know an animal in season is nearby, they may well escape in order to mate.

This can be a really good reason to have your dog neutered.

3. Curiosity

Curiosity didn’t just kill the cat. Your dog gets really excited by smells and sights, especially ones that appeal to their natural urges. Lurchers and greyhounds, for example, are naturally compelled to chase down rabbits and other small animals. If they happen to catch a whiff of a small furry animal to chase, they may follow the urge to run.

4. Boredom

If a dog is not stimulated enough, they are going to try and find a way to get away and live a better life. This is particularly true with working breeds. You can find a handy list of working breeds here.

5. Opportunity

Sometimes the dog will escape because they can. They might see a hole in the fence or an open door and just take the opportunity to leave. Dogs live in the moment and don’t ‘have a plan’, which is why many of them act in strange ways we don’t understand sometimes.

How To Prevent Your Dog From Running Away

There are lots of ways that you can help your dog avoid danger keeping him safely in your care. 

One of the most important things to do is to ensure your dog has a stimulating, happy environment. It is also important to keep your fence secure and to check the dog’s harness or collar, and leash is in good condition. 

For even more security, you can microchip your pet and utilize handy pet finding apps too. 

Although losing a dog can happen to anyone, following the tips above you can reduce the chances of that happening. 

If you are unlucky enough for your pooch to make an escape, the chances of you finding them again are high. Just follow our advice above, and never give up searching.

Your dog is out there somewhere waiting to be reunited with you.

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