H2: Key Takeaways
- It’s no fun having to keep your dog inside because they can’t be trusted in the outside world. But this can be the reality for misbehaving dogs that run away.
- We’re going to explore the top four reasons why dogs run away so you can be proactive in stopping this behavior. These include being in heat, being unneutered, having a fight or flight instinct, and exhibiting learned behaviors.
- We’ll also offer our expert advice and tips on how to keep your dog safe, even if they do continue to run!
H2: 4 Reasons Why Dogs Run Away
Having your furry friend bolt, wander off, or escape can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences for a dog owner.
Even a well-trained pup may occasionally decide to roam, causing panic until they’re safely back home. Understanding the common triggers can help you prevent Fido from going missing.
1. Female Dog in Heat
You can train a dog as best as you can, but we cannot override their instincts. These chemical cues are passed down for thousands of generations and designed to help them survive. Something that can cause your dog to run away is the instinct to mate.
Female dogs experience heat cycles, which means when they are ‘in heat,’ they are fertile and able to conceive puppies. To help them find a mate during this period, their instinct tells them to find a male dog.
With a dog’s sense of smell being as powerful as it is, a female dog could pick up on the scent of a good mate from up to 12 miles (20km) away in perfect conditions!
Expert Insight: If your female dog is not neutered, it’s important to keep her inside when she is in heat.
Read More : The Ultimate Guide To Black Ragdoll Cats
2. Unneutered Male Dog
As we just briefly mentioned, a female dog in heat can attract many male dogs. The following of a scent works both ways. So, if your dog isn’t neutered, they will constantly be on the lookout for a good mate. This means any scent that vaguely reflects that of another dog will drive your pup crazy until it finds the source.
If you have an obedient dog, then good recall training may be able to control this instinct. But it’s unlikely. By getting your pup neutered, you’ll reduce the risk of them running away and becoming lost. It can also benefit you and your dog in the following ways:
- Reduces the risk of testicular cancer
- Reduces their roaming instinct
- Reduces urine marking
3. Fight or Flight Instinct
A dog’s fight-or-flight instinct is triggered by stress or fear. Their usual response to this is to run away and hide until they feel safe again. As owners, we may think that if our dog loves us and trusts us, why would they run away from us when they’re scared? Surely they’d want to be near us?
Well, even if your dog trusts you more than anyone else, their instincts tell them to be alone. In fact, sometimes, during fight-or-flight, they may not even recognize you!
If your dog is running away from you on walks, then the following may have triggered their fight or flight:
- Being approached by other dogs
- Being approached by other people
- Busy places
- Loud noises
Top Tip: Getting them accustomed to plenty of different scenarios and experiences is important. Teach them that they are safe by experiencing these situations together with a positive outcome.
If your dog is running away from you at home or without any noticeable ‘trigger’, then the following reasons may be why:
- They experience separation anxiety from being left alone for too long
- They aren’t getting enough food
- They aren’t getting enough mental stimulation
- They aren’t getting enough physical stimulation
- They don’t feel safe in their environment
You think one of these could be the case, change their routine. If they are experiencing ongoing stress and fear, it’s only a matter of time until your dog runs away for good. Try the following:
- Invest in some good puzzle toys to keep them entertained when you can’t
- Employ a dog walker if you can’t exercise them as much as you need
- Take them to doggy daycare if you’re going to be out of the house for more than a few hours
- Keep their environment quiet and calm
4. Learned Behavior
You may be reading this thinking that none of it applies to you and your pup. And that’s also normal! Most dogs run away simply because they have learned that this behavior is okay.
So, if you’re struggling to stop your dog running when you take them off the leash, then you may just need to figure out a good recall word and start a training program.
If you don’t teach your dog from a young age that they shouldn’t run away when off leash, then they will instinctively choose to run.
They are built for this kind of movement, and to them, it feels good! Also, the excitement of new smells, squirrels to chase, and other dogs to meet can be overwhelming, and the only option is to run!
But don’t worry. Just because they have learned this behavior doesn’t mean it’s impossible to undo. It will be more difficult than training a puppy, but it’s still possible! Use the following steps:
- Start by practicing in a fenced yard or secure area
- Let your dog off the leash and then call them back to you
- If they don’t come, go to them, clip the leash on your dog’s collar, and lead them back to where you were standing
- Give them a treat and wait a moment before letting them off again
- Repeat these steps until your dog comes to you without having to be put on the leash again
Top Tip: This will take a long time to perfect, so stay calm and be patient. Positive reinforcement is key, so make sure you have a special treat for training sessions. If you can’t seem to be successful in your dog training, then ask a professional for some help!
How to Keep Your Dog Safe
A missing dog is every pet parent’s worst nightmare. So it’s essential you keep your dog safe even if they are prone to running away.
Microchip Them
If your dog ran away and became lost, then they are likely to end up in a local shelter. Here, they will scan your dog to check for a microchip so they can contact the owners as soon as possible.
If your dog isn’t microchipped, then they will stay in that shelter until someone claims them. Unfortunately, many animal shelters are overrun and underfunded, meaning they often euthanize unclaimed animals.
To prevent this nightmare situation from ever being an option, get your dog microchipped. It’s a simple procedure that will keep them safe for the rest of their life.
As long as you ensure your contact details are up to date on the chip, you’ll always be associated with your pup, no matter where they end up.
Expert Insight: This can also be a great deterrent for theft. Someone won’t be able to sell your dog if they are microchipped because you will be notified.
Keep Them on a Leash
If your dog isn’t ready to be safely walked off the leash, then don’t provide them with an opportunity to run away. Unless you are in a secure dog park or garden, then keep your dog close.
This is important for their safety as well as other dog’s safety. If your dog runs away, they may approach a reactive dog. This can put your pup in danger, as well as other owners.
Only ever let your pup off their leash if you are confident in their training and if you feel safe in the environment.
Make Them Wear a Collar
Always make your dog wear a collar. This is a way to identify that your pup is a pet rather than a stray. On the collar, make sure you include your contact details so that if your dog does run away, you will be notified as soon as they are found.
Without a collar, your furry friend is more likely to be mistaken for a stray or feral dog and either ignored or reported to animal control.
Investing in electronic collars may help your training efforts. Alternatively, you can clip a GPS tracker onto your pup so you can monitor their location at all times, giving you peace of mind if they do decide to embark on a solo adventure.
FAQs
What does it mean if your dog runs away from you?
If your dog runs from you, it could be due to fear/stress, being in heat, being unneutered, or simply learned behavior that needs correcting through training.
How do I get my dog to stop running away from me?
Address any potential triggers like fear, hunger, lack of exercise. Use positive reinforcement training in a secure area to teach reliable recall when off-leash.
Why does my dog keep walking away from me?
It may be boredom, lack of stimulation, or not feeling safe/content in their environment. Try enrichment activities and ensuring their needs are met.
How do you know if your dog is unhappy?
Signs include destructive behaviors, aggression, depression, excessive vocalization, house soiling, and repetitive habits like pacing.
Why does my dog suddenly not like me?
It’s likely not personal. Maybe you’ve inadvertently punished them, they are ill, or there is a new stressful change like a new home/baby.
Should I chase my dog if he runs away?
No, chaseing can reinforce the behavior and make them keep running. Stay still and calm, then try drawing them back with treats/toys.
Does my dog love me if he ran away?
Yes, them running away is usually just instinctual behavior, not a personal rejection of you. With proper training, they’ll learn to stay.
Final Thoughts
We know how heartbreaking it can be if your dog runs away and becomes lost, which is why we set up PetRadar. Our service is designed to help you find your dog as quickly as possible. We use social media ads to alert thousands of neighbors in your area about your missing dog.
From these posts, they can report a sighting, send it to a friend, or save it for later. Think of it as the digital missing pet poster. We’ve already reunited over 10,000 pets this way, so you’re in good hands!
If your dog has a tendency to wander, bolt, or flee, remember the key things:
- Get them neutered/spayed to reduce roaming instincts
- Microchip them and keep their collar info updated
- Only allow off-leash in very secure areas once obedience training is solid
- Stay calm if they do get loose – chasing can reinforce the behavior
- Use a service like PetRadar to quickly get the word out
With some preparation and the right precautions in place, you can enjoy adventures with your pup while minimizing any stressful escapes!
