Why Do Dogs Run Away?
The kennels are full of dogs that have ended up there because after they ran away from home they were not claimed by their owners. This is a major concern of pet owners, who wish they could let their pets run and play around, but at the same time they need to know they are safe and will go home.
Things you need to know
When a dog runs away, he runs the risk of being run over, being attacked by another dog, being kidnapped or getting lost and then ending up in an animal center. But why do dogs run away?
Those who own a dog as a pet will surely be convinced that they have a faithful friend by their side, who loves them in their own way – or so it seems. For this reason, the owners of these adorable animals have a hard time understanding why a dog should leave a safe place, a home that protects them from the cold and provides them with regular food; love, toys, gifts… it would seem like a paradise for dogs.
However, all of you in your teens will have at some point wanted to run away from home. Do you remember why? In a way, you had all the things your dog owns now, so what was it you were looking for? Maybe you were looking for adventure, freedom, fed up with all the house rules or just loved being outside.
The fact that your dog wants to leave the house can be due to several factors. Dogs that have not been neutered, especially in the case of male dogs, will most likely go in search of a female. It will seem absurd but it is so. The same reason is due to a change in the mood of animals, especially if they are outside and are exposed to the smell of possible companions.
What you may not have noticed is that your dog may be bored. If you don’t pay him a lot of attention or just let him go out into the yard without following him to play with him, he will probably feel the need to look for some of that adrenaline he can’t find in the house.
Another factor to consider is your dog’s breed. There are some that need daily exercise due to their genetic makeup. Breeds such as huskies need to be more physically active than others, and if you are unable to meet this need, their instincts are likely to drive them to leave.
There are also races of a more curious nature than others. Terriers, for example, tend to eye and smell everything in front of them. A carelessness of this kind could lead them to get lost: it is not a real escape, but more of a loss.
Tips for taking care of your dog
So how can we prevent our dogs from trying to escape? The main thing, in addition to showing them all the affection we feel for them, is to make their environment a pleasant and interesting place. It is not recommended to leave them out of the house all day, especially because they could feel excluded from the family unit; However, if your dog is large and you do not want him to stay indoors, you will need to pay him more attention and make sure that he feels at home also outside.
You can try to stimulate him with new games, such as hiding toys or prizes him to look for. You can also buy or make interactive toys to get your dog to use his mind. The essential thing is to spend time with him, so add play sessions to your walks, such as throwing objects at him to bring them back to you.
Another thing that is undoubtedly good to try is to take your dog to a specialist to train him, so he can learn to live with family members at home and feel part of it. Keep in mind that if you alter your dog or treat him too rigidly, this could lead him to leave home. If he does something that is not right, try to be firm but kind so your pet won’t think you don’t have affection for him. You can also consult a specialist to treat this aspect.
Protect him with love and, if you prefer, never take his leash off or have him implant a chip with all his data. While this measure will not prevent him from escaping, it will help you find him once he is lost. If he gets lost, go around the kennels to look for him and leave a photograph with information about him in case he reappears sooner or later.
