How To Prevent Your Dog From Getting Lost

Every year several dogs get lost, especially during the holidays when dogs are nervous and distracted. This post includes the best ways to prevent your pomsky dog from getting lost including having proper identification, walking with a leash, training your dog, planning ahead and more.

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Make Sure Your Dog Has an ID Tag

When you first adopt your dog, make sure you get an ID tag to put on your dog’s collar. These can be found at many pet stores and can easily be personalized to include your personal information. When engraving your dog’s ID tag, include your name and phone number. You might also want to include your address or city so people know where the dog lives or how far they are from home.

Use a Leash and Harness/Collar

Make sure your dog’s collar or harness fits them correctly and they are not able to easily slip out of it. When purchasing collars and harnesses, check if the buckles can be securely fastened, and avoid buckles that can easily be wiggled loose. Use a leash when walking your dog so you know they are always within reach. Even dogs that are trained to walk off of the leash may have times when they run too far from their owners and don’t respond to commands (especially when they are distracted by animals, people or other things in their environment). Finally, when hooking your dog up to their leash, make sure the clasp on the end of the leash connects to the collar or harness well and fully closes. This will ensure that your leash doesn’t disconnect from your dog while you are walking.

Supervise Your Dog

Whether you are outside or inside, your pomsky dog should be supervised most of the time. Pomskies are especially curious dogs and will find things to keep themselves busy, even if it is not safe. Keep your dog on a leash and within sight in your yard to ensure they are safe. If you leave your dog unsupervised for too long, they will likely become bored and get into things they shouldn’t be in. This may result in them wandering off or eating unsafe things in the yard such as animal waste or plants.

Train Your Dog

Use positive reinforcement methods such as verbal praise (“good job!” “yes!”) and treat rewards to teach your dog commands. Teach your dog to come when called so they learn to run towards you to receive a treat. This is an important skill for pomsky dogs to learn so that if they are out of sight or out of reach they will run towards you when called. Training your dog loose leash walking can also be beneficial to prevent your dog from running away, since they have been trained to walk right by your side.

Secure Outdoor Areas

Always make sure you close doors tightly and latch them (especially sliding doors) when you come inside. If your dog likes to play outside in the yard, go outside with them. Fenced in back yards are a great way to allow your dog to run freely, without worrying about them running too far. Frequently check your fence for loose boards or openings and cover these holes so your dog can’t leave the fenced in area while playing. Ensure the fence is tall enough that your dog can’t jump over it, and that it goes at least 6 inches into the ground to prevent your dog from digging under the fence.

Plan Ahead for Events and Holidays

Whether you are having people over to celebrate, or you are moving new furniture into your home, make a plan for where your dog can stay during these times. If you know the front doors will be opening frequently, secure your dog in a safe place such as keeping them enclosed in a crate in the bedroom with toys and treats. Your dog will feel safe and you will know exactly where they are at all times. Once you are able to supervise your dog, then they can roam around the house.

It is important to consider what your dog is afraid of and protect them from these fears if possible. For example, if your dog doesn’t like fireworks or small children running toward them, you will want to keep your dog in a quiet place in the home where they will not encounter these fears. Some dogs get lost or escape the home during celebrations due to being scared of loud sounds or unfamiliar people. Always remember that if you know you will be busy and can’t give your dog attention for several hours or days, bring your dog to a boarding facility or dog daycare.

Microchip Your Dog

Some owners choose to microchip their dog by having the vet place a small electronic chip under the dog’s skin. This chip is very small (size of a grain of rice) and emits radio waves if a scanner is passed over the area where the microchip was placed on the dog. The owner of the dog registers their information online with the microchip company, so if the chip is scanned, the dog’s owner can be successfully contacted and reunited with their furry friend.

Safety in the Dark

Dogs can become lost if it is dark out and owners don’t know which direction their dog went. If you are taking your dog for a walk outside or to go potty at night, make sure you bring a bright flashlight. We also recommend you put lights on your dog, so others can see them too. This lighted collar will help you see where your dog is at all times when it is dark outside.

Summary

There are several ways you can prevent your dog from getting lost. When you go outside with your dog, use a leash and collar or harness to keep your dog near you at all times. Ensure your dog has an ID tag attached to their collar with your contact information so other people can call you if needed. Train your dog to come when they are called and plan ahead if you are planning to have an event when your dog could become nervous or attempt to escape through open doors. Keep your dog within sight or enclosed in a crate or bedroom so you can be sure they are safe.