OT: Any advice on finding a lost dog?

[HCCForever]

Thanks to everyone who helped us here.

My wife stayed overnight at the place where the dog went missing. Apparently she went out and called for the dog a few times during the night. Around 4:30 she jumped in our truck, which has a ridiculous LED light bar (thanks to the previous owner) and started driving around back roads again. Just before 5 she saw the dog dart across the road about 3/4 of a mile from where she was last seen, and finally managed to track her down. The dog was obviously freaked out, and tried to run away from my wife, but she finally got her into the vehicle. She's kinda banged up, but they just got home about 30 minutes ago.

Phew. Thanksgiving has been saved.

Thanks again!

Very nice. I always used the car trick when my dogs got loose. Fortunately, this didn't happen often. They would run from me but usually couldn't resist the opening of my car door. Glad all is well.

 

[Umami Zen]

Thanks to everyone who helped us here.

My wife stayed overnight at the place where the dog went missing. Apparently she went out and called for the dog a few times during the night. Around 4:30 she jumped in our truck, which has a ridiculous LED light bar (thanks to the previous owner) and started driving around back roads again. Just before 5 she saw the dog dart across the road about 3/4 of a mile from where she was last seen, and finally managed to track her down. The dog was obviously freaked out, and tried to run away from my wife, but she finally got her into the vehicle. She's kinda banged up, but they just got home about 30 minutes ago.

Phew. Thanksgiving has been saved.

Thanks again!

Great news.. For future reference and having been a dog owner (primarily Lab/Lab mixes) for a long time.. Most retrievers/terriers/hounds,etc fall into one of two broad categories..They are either scent driven or sight driven.. Depending on the DNA of your pup and their natural tendencies.. Its best to try to control/manage them --whenever possible--from those natural tendencies. As well as using those tendencies--as it looked like you did-- To find them when they go off on an "adventure".
We currently have a Lab/Bassett mix rescue --bred in the South for hunting-who is a scent hound. If he is off leash without us around.. He is gone following whatever scent he can wherever it will take him... We've got coyotes/bobcats/other bigger critters who are frequently nearby. Trying to avoid them at all costs.
Extremely happy this worked out.. Enjoy your holiday/Family/and of course-- your Pup..

 

[Waquoit]

I am very happy this story had a happy ending. I wasn't expecting it.

 

[superjohn]

Thanks to everyone who helped us here.

My wife stayed overnight at the place where the dog went missing. Apparently she went out and called for the dog a few times during the night. Around 4:30 she jumped in our truck, which has a ridiculous LED light bar (thanks to the previous owner) and started driving around back roads again. Just before 5 she saw the dog dart across the road about 3/4 of a mile from where she was last seen, and finally managed to track her down. The dog was obviously freaked out, and tried to run away from my wife, but she finally got her into the vehicle. She's kinda banged up, but they just got home about 30 minutes ago.

Phew. Thanksgiving has been saved.

Thanks again!

Awesome ending, I was concerned for you.

I'm curious, what state are you in?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Thanks to everyone who helped us here.

My wife stayed overnight at the place where the dog went missing. Apparently she went out and called for the dog a few times during the night. Around 4:30 she jumped in our truck, which has a ridiculous LED light bar (thanks to the previous owner) and started driving around back roads again. Just before 5 she saw the dog dart across the road about 3/4 of a mile from where she was last seen, and finally managed to track her down. The dog was obviously freaked out, and tried to run away from my wife, but she finally got her into the vehicle. She's kinda banged up, but they just got home about 30 minutes ago.

Phew. Thanksgiving has been saved.

Thanks again!

Man I'm so glad for you. I worry about stuff like this all the time.

 

[Get a Job]

Awesome ending, I was concerned for you.

I'm curious, what state are you in?

Relief, presumably.

 

[NJHusky]

Man I'm so glad for you. I worry about stuff like this all the time.

If your dog wanders get a tracker for his collar. They are small and cheap

 

[Chin Diesel]

I am very happy this story had a happy ending. I wasn't expecting it.

Post. Handle.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

If your dog wanders get a tracker for his collar. They are small and cheap

They don't wander and we have trackers. I'm just borderline irrationally attached to both of them.

 

[87Xfer]

Look into an Apple Air Tag. $25 and you can attach it to her collar. Well worth it!

Great idea!

 

[87Xfer]

They don't wander and we have trackers. I'm just borderline irrationally attached to both of them.

Aple Air Tag or something else in your case?

 

[87Xfer]

Awesome ending, I was concerned for you.

I'm curious, what state are you in?

Thank! Southwestern CO.

 

[CL82]

When we had her spayed, the vet asked casually if I wanted them to chip her. The idea just sounded kind of weird and invasive so my immediate, hasty reaction was no thanks. I'll be looking into it today for sure.

I’m really happy to hear this!

Remember, that a chip doesn’t allow you to track her. It only allows animal control to see who the owner is. Using an Apple AirTag is a great idea, particularly if you have an iPhone. 10 best GPS trackers for dogs

My dog is an old lady and I doubt she would run off lead, but I never take her off in any area she is unfamiliar with. Even with the dog that is terrific off lead 99% of the time, you just never know when that one percent is going to happen.

 

[87Xfer]

I’m really happy to hear this!

Remember, that a chip doesn’t allow you to track her. It only allows animal control to see who the owner is. Using an Apple AirTag is a great idea, particularly if you have an iPhone. 10 best GPS trackers for dogs

My dog is an old lady and I doubt she would run off lead, but I never take her off in any area she is unfamiliar with. Even with the dog that is terrific off lead 99% of the time, you just never know when that one percent is going to happen.

Thanks for clarity on a chip. AND the 10 best list I'm researching tracker options now, and if I'm reading things correctly an Air Tag wouldn't help if she's in the middle of nowhere, half a mile from the nearest network or Apple device. But I may need to read more.

We spend a lot of time outdoors in places with zero cell coverage. Something like a Tractive GPS-based monitor may be a better fit in very rural areas?

 

[nomar]

When we had her spayed, the vet asked casually if I wanted them to chip her. The idea just sounded kind of weird and invasive so my immediate, hasty reaction was no thanks. I'll be looking into it today for sure.

Now that she's safe and sound, I'll chime in and say it's worth it for the peace of mind. The microchip in our dog is monitored by a company called HomeAgain. I just looked and we pay $22/year.

I know the microchip isn't a tracker but it's still worth it, in case your dog's collar comes off.

 

[87Xfer]

Thanks for clarity on a chip. AND the 10 best list I'm researching tracker options now, and if I'm reading things correctly an Air Tag wouldn't help if she's in the middle of nowhere, half a mile from the nearest network or Apple device. But I may need to read more.

We spend a lot of time outdoors in places with zero cell coverage. Something like a Tractive GPS-based monitor may be a better fit in very rural areas?

Looks like GPS-based devices like Tractive still need cell coverage to work, but better than nothing. I guess if I'm in the middle nowhere, and I don't have coverage on my cell, I'm out of luck anyway without something like a satelite based Garmin InReach device or something similar.

 

[Scrutineer]

Happy endings are always great. Happy Thanksgiving too!

Quick, funny story, involving one of our cats when we lived in a small city in Upstate NY.

One of our two cats was adventurous and would burst out the door whenever she could and one day in early Fall she did so and didn't come back. We got on our bikes and rode the streets in a half mile radius, calling her name, but quit when it got dark. Before work the next day and after work we did the same. No luck.

The third evening, during dinner, I had a premonition and looked out on the back door landing and there she was, huddled up near the door looking up at me. She was such a good cat and we were relieved she hadn't been run over or snatched up by a fox or some other animal.

We had no idea where she had been for 2 1/2 days until my neighbor mentioned something when I told him she had gone missing and come home. He had a barn that he used as a garage and a workshop and often would leave the door open during the day and close it at night. He hadn't opened the door for several days and when he did that day the cat shot out the door and to our back porch.

 

[Vancat]

Now that she's safe and sound, I'll chime in and say it's worth it for the peace of mind. The microchip in our dog is monitored by a company called HomeAgain. I just looked and we pay $22/year.

I know the microchip isn't a tracker but it's still worth it, in case your dog's collar comes off.

For people not familiar: HomeAgain is actually free. The fee you are paying is for extra stuff. If you don't pay it they still retain your information.

 

[superjohn]

Thanks for clarity on a chip. AND the 10 best list I'm researching tracker options now, and if I'm reading things correctly an Air Tag wouldn't help if she's in the middle of nowhere, half a mile from the nearest network or Apple device. But I may need to read more.

We spend a lot of time outdoors in places with zero cell coverage. Something like a Tractive GPS-based monitor may be a better fit in very rural areas?

You're probably fine if you are always with someone but if you're making these trips alone where you're off the grid so to speak it's good to always tell someone/text someone where you're going in case you run into trouble for whatever reason. Always bring a lot of water, protein bars and a good idea to have a little flash light, flare, weapon on you.

I'm sure you know all this since it seems you're outdoorsy and live in a fairly remote part of the country.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Looks like GPS-based devices like Tractive still need cell coverage to work, but better than nothing. I guess if I'm in the middle nowhere, and I don't have coverage on my cell, I'm out of luck anyway without something like a satelite based Garmin InReach device or something similar.

At the end of the day every tracking system requires you to have some means of communication with the pet. Even GPS trackers can go squirrely if there is heavy top cover.

You're doing the right thing of going through the different technologies and fingering out what works best for you.

 

[87Xfer]

At the end of the day every tracking system requires you to have some means of communication with the pet. Even GPS trackers can go squirrely if there is heavy top cover.

You're doing the right thing of going through the different technologies and fingering out what works best for you.

I have a Garmin InReach (wich is satelite based and requires no cell coverage) for my own backcountry adventures. But the doggy versions seem over the top and the collar itself is pretty spendy. Think I'll try something like the Tractive.

Senna's at the vet now for them to take a look at a pretty nasty cut on her leg. We think one of the dogs she was playing with may have bitten her. Apparently she sqealed loudly not long before he dissapeared. That's pretty routine for her ("heelers are squealers"), but when she gets hurt she tends to totally panic - so that may have been what caused her to bolt.

 

[jibsey]

Very nice. I always used the car trick when my dogs got loose. Fortunately, this didn't happen often. They would run from me but usually couldn't resist the opening of my car door. Glad all is well.

Car door WITH a piece of cheese in your stretched out hand. Imagine if we had the insane drive and desire for food the way some dogs have. We would weigh 800 pounds.

 

[Waquoit]

Post. Handle.

View attachment 81007

Alas, Mr. Positive has seen too many of these strories go the other way in the last few months alone.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Thanks to everyone who helped us here.

My wife stayed overnight at the place where the dog went missing. Apparently she went out and called for the dog a few times during the night. Around 4:30 she jumped in our truck, which has a ridiculous LED light bar (thanks to the previous owner) and started driving around back roads again. Just before 5 she saw the dog dart across the road about 3/4 of a mile from where she was last seen, and finally managed to track her down. The dog was obviously freaked out, and tried to run away from my wife, but she finally got her into the vehicle. She's kinda banged up, but they just got home about 30 minutes ago.

Phew. Thanksgiving has been saved.

Thanks again!

Man I am happy to hear this.

 

[NJHusky]

Air Tag wouldn't help if she's in the middle of nowhere, half a mile from the nearest network or Apple device.

As per my other post: AirTags work off of bluetooth/apple users so they need to be around Others. If your dog is lost in the woods I don’t think they will work

Make sure whatever u get has GPS AND cell coverage. Make sure it’s waterproof too. And check the refresh rate…some that claim ‘live’ coverage refresh every 10 min or so. We r very happy with the Jiobit

Jiobit tracker

 

[HooperScooper]

Looks like GPS-based devices like Tractive still need cell coverage to work, but better than nothing. I guess if I'm in the middle nowhere, and I don't have coverage on my cell, I'm out of luck anyway without something like a satelite based Garmin InReach device or something similar.

This is another option. Kind of expensive.

Dog GPS & Health tracking | $19/month | Fi Smart Dog Collar

Fetch the most advanced GPS, behavior, and activity tracking technology for your pet.

tryfi.com

 

[Dove]

Thanks to everyone who helped us here.

My wife stayed overnight at the place where the dog went missing. Apparently she went out and called for the dog a few times during the night. Around 4:30 she jumped in our truck, which has a ridiculous LED light bar (thanks to the previous owner) and started driving around back roads again. Just before 5 she saw the dog dart across the road about 3/4 of a mile from where she was last seen, and finally managed to track her down. The dog was obviously freaked out, and tried to run away from my wife, but she finally got her into the vehicle. She's kinda banged up, but they just got home about 30 minutes ago.

Phew. Thanksgiving has been saved.

Thanks again!

Awsome news, 87!! I feared the worse.

 

[NJHusky]

Awsome news, 87!! I feared the worse.

Especially in a new place at night with lots of other wildlife around. She was prob trying to track u guys hence why she stayed around. Heelers r very smart…sometimes too smart

 

[Dove]

Maybe tape a bike flag to the dog...

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Food, crate and some of your dirty clothes outside.