How to Protect Your Dog Should They Become Lost

Don't wait until your pet gets lost or runs off to start thinking about how to protect them. Follow these tips to help ensure their safe return should they wander away from home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Collar
• Tags
• Good Vet
• Camera

1. 
   Jack Russell Terrier Puppy

   The first, and perhaps the most overlooked, way to protect your dog is to be certain to have current photos taken of him/her. Be sure to get photos which may show any unique features or markings.

2. Take the time to have yearly checkups done. This will help establish a relationship with your veterinarian and they are a great ally to have in times of need such as a lost pet.

3. 
   Redbone Coonhound on Show Practice Bench

   While at your vet's office, inquire about microchipping, tattooing or perhaps freeze branding as a way of permanently identifying your dog. If you also breed your dog, inquire about having DNA done as well.

4. 
   Boston Terrier with tags

   Get tags for your dog. In addition to your county required tags, purchase another tag that identifies your dog. What I do with mine is I put my name, phone number and the following text "Dog requires medication, please call asap!" And it does NOT matter if your dog really does need medication or not. If someone would otherwise be tempted to keep your pet, this may help deter them and get you that call sooner.

5. 
   Neutered Redbone Coonhound from our kennel www.ironwoodkennel.com

   Have your dog altered, if possible, as it will greatly diminish their desire to roam.

6. 
   Redbone and English Coonhounds happily racing to my command of "come".

   Be sure your dog is trained to obey the command "Come".

7. 
   Redbone Coonhound walking on lead

   Always keep your dog on a leash at all times when not at home or in any way leaving the safety of your (fenced) yard.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide to tattoo your dog you can register them with National Dog Registry (800-NDR-DOGS) and/or Tattoo-A-Pet (718-646-8203).
• You may or may not want to add 'reward' to your dogs tag. Reward may be enticing to both get your dog back as well as for someone to arrange a theft just to collect the reward later. Sadly, I have heard of this happening.
• Never mail a reward or agree to meet someone to pay a reward/pick up dog anywhere but a well lit, public place with plenty of people around.

Resources

• Ironwood Kennel

[dgarbacz]

on 11/21/2007 Great advice. I'm going to use these tips with my dog.

[KonaGirl]

on 11/19/2007 Wow. You always have the best tips for pet owners. I've asked to be your friend. Please approve me. Thanks.

[favefive]

on 11/15/2007 Wonderful tips! I have 5 dogs, they only have dog tags...I am thinking about microchips. Not sure how expensive they could be.

[knewf]

on 10/29/2007 great advice as usual from this writer!