09/05/2026
It’s very important to follow the steps below when searching for a lostdog in order to not scare the dog more and make things worse. A dog may not recognize their foster/adopter when they’re lost. Fear takes over and they may not recognize their people.
Here are suggestions of places to look that a lost dog may hide:
- Hardware stores (garden sections, outside shed areas)
- Parks (hiding in bushes, drainages, etc.)
- Golf course and other places with lots of greenery
- Places with lots of dog smells (dog parks, pet store)
- Places with large animals because they may make Tippy feel safe (horses, cows, etc.)
- People’s yard, especially if they have a shed or outside dog house (I know you can’t personally look there)
IMPORTANT - Please read
THING TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SEARCHING FOR A LOT DOG
Do not go after the dog! You are not catching the dog!
You are trying to get the dog to come to you.
The best way to get them to come to you is with food and in a non-threatening manner
WHILE LOOKING FOR THE DOG
Do not call/yell the dog’s name
Instead, sing a song while you’re looking for the dog
Talk out loud in a calm and gentle voice
More info why
WHEN YOU SPOT THE DOG
DO NOT
Stand up and look down at the dog
Look directly at the dog
Clap your hands or pat your legs
Whistle at the dog
Talk directly to the dog
Call the dog’s name
Walk towards the dog
Chase the dog
All of these behaviors will scare the dog because they will perceive you as a threat and it was cause the dog to run away
Don’t be in a rush to grab the dog if they come close to you.
DO
Sing or talk out loudly calmly to try to get the dog’s attention
Put yourself in a posture that is non-threatening and low to the ground
Get down on your knees
Lay flat on your back
Have food with you (pieces of hot dog is very yummy)
Bring a crinkly bag like a plastic potato chip bag
Watch the dog out of your peripheral vision
Turn your body away from the dog
Make sounds to get the dog’s attention. Ex: pretend sneeze, cough
Then pretend you’re eating while dropping actual pieces of food
Making yummy sounds like you’re doing this. Ex: “Mmmm”, “Nom nom nom”, or smack your lips together
While crinkling the bag
This makes the dog think you’re not threatening or paying attention to the dog
Be very patient if the dog starts coming towards you
Give the dog time to get closer to you
Keep dropping food and making sounds
Slowly reach out to the dog eventually to try to slip a leash over their head - a slip lead type of leash will be very useful
Here’s a video about the Dos and Don’ts
