“What to Do When Your Dog Breaks Free from the Leash: Stay Calm and Use These Methods to Bring Them Back”Have any of you ever had the experience of your dog breaking free from the leash? How did you manage to catch them? One time, I took Sunny to practice driving, and it didn’t want to stay in the car. I took off the leash to make it more comfortable. But when I was about to pick it up to get out of the car, I forgot to put the leash back on (my big mistake). The moment I turned around to close the door, it ran off, and my heart skipped a beat in panic. I immediately called its name, and when I turned around, it had already come back to my side. That experience really made me realize the importance of the leash, and I was thankful that Sunny came back when I called its name. Fortunately, the parking lot wasn’t busy, or I can’t even imagine what could’ve happened!Anyone who has played chase games with their dog knows that when you chase them, they run faster. So, when your dog accidentally breaks free from the leash, you need to stay calm and not chase after them. But you must take immediate action.What to Do If Your Dog Breaks Free: Stay Calm and Use These Methods to Get Them Back Safely.
-
First, Check If the Surrounding Area is Safe
If there is no traffic:Immediately squat down and call your dog’s name in the same tone you use when feeding them, so they think you’re offering food. You can also clap your hands to grab their attention.Run in the opposite direction to trigger your dog’s chasing instinct. Make sure your footsteps are loud. Dogs love to chase, so when you run, they’ll naturally follow (I remember when I was little, my parents told me not to run from dogs because they’d think it was a game).Clap your hands and shout in an exaggerated way. Dogs are curious by nature, and if you make loud gestures and sounds, they’ll think something fun is going on near you.Use treats or toys. If you have some on hand, call out the name of their favorite treat or toy to attract them back. For example, Sunny loves jerky, so when it hears the word “jerky,” it’ll run back to me and sit down waiting.
-
When Your Dog Comes Back, Never Scold Them
Make sure to praise or reward them. You want them to associate returning to you with positive outcomes, whether it’s food or play. This will encourage them to return next time without hesitation.If There Is Traffic:If your dog breaks free near a road, never risk running into traffic to chase them. First, wave at drivers to signal them to slow down. Then, use the above methods to attract your dog back to you.If your dog gets scared and runs far away, remember the location and time they ran off. Prepare a clear photo of your dog, along with a description of their appearance, contact info, and any reward details to create a lost dog notice. Post it at nearby community entrances (get permission from security to share the info in the building’s WhatsApp group). You can also visit pet stores, veterinary clinics, the local market, convenience stores, and the police station. Don’t forget to share the information with delivery trucks and stations. Also, post on social media and join local pet groups or lost dog networks. These groups are full of helpful people who can share your post and help you keep an eye out for your dog.
“Regular Recall Training is Key: Don’t Rely Solely on the Leash for Safety”It’s important to practice regular recall training with your dog. A leash is just one layer of security—it’s not a guarantee of safety. You can also equip your dog with a collar that has your phone number or a GPS tracker on it.Do you have any other effective methods for recalling a dog that’s escaped the leash? Feel free to share your tips or pictures in the comments section—we’d love to hear your experiences and exchange ideas.
