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Learn
your dogs temperaments
Click
the link at the bottom of the page for your next step.
In order to begin the
groundwork in your search for your lost pet you will need to have an
understanding about your pet's temperament and personality. Their temperament
will have a huge impact on what happens to them. Later we will break it down
into what is more likely to happen to your pet based on each temperament that is
discussed.
Although each one of our pets has their own unique personality, and all have
different variations I am sure you will be able to put your pet into one of the
groups.
1-The Friendly, sociable, tails always wagging type.
These dogs are the ones who are every one’s best friend. They have never known a
stranger, and will go up to meet and greet anyone and everyone they see. They
have no fears and are up for just about anything. When I think of these dogs it
always takes me back to my Black Labrador. It seems this is such a huge part of
the Labs personality and makes them such fun to be around.
2-The distant, shy, and sometimes hesitant type.
These dogs are a little more apprehensive to just walk up to a total stranger,
but after a little reassurance are willing to make friends. They are more likely
to stand back and take everything in. More of a watch and learn approach. Or
they may be a barker when they see a stranger to make everyone else aware that
something is out of place.
3- The fearful, unapproachable, tuck my tail and run type.
These poor dogs are sometimes spooked by their own shadow, loud noises, storms,
and hollering
can send them running for the hills. They are not approachable by strangers
especially, and may even run from their owners. Sometimes a fearful dog has just
as much potential to hurt you as one who has been taught aggression.
Do you have a friend, or someone that needs help with their fearful dog? Check
out the book to the right, which is getting rave reviews.
Learn what happens to lost dogs with certain temperaments.
Lets take a look at how different personalities of lost dogs effect what happens
to them.
1-The friendly, sociable, tails always wagging type.
These dogs will normally go up to the first person they see, thus being
“rescued” by an individual that may perceive them to be a great find, or
hopefully the "rescuer" will be active in trying to return them to the home they
belong to. They are usually found near the escape point and in a fairly short
amount of time.
2-The distant, shy, and sometimes hesitant type.
These dogs may travel far or continue to travel a certain area/territory near
the POE (Point of Escape). With patient persistence these dogs can muster up
enough nerve to approach someone when hunger starts to set in. It takes a little
skill and know how to continue to gain trust with these dogs.
3- The fearful,
unapproachable, tuck my tail and run type.
These dogs are more likely to be found far from home. They may initially stay in
the area until they are chased or pushed and then they could be found miles
away. They are also more prone to meet with an accident as they bolt in fear
from place to place. The most important thing is to keep a step ahead of them by
postering
further out as you receive sightings. They will usually need to be trapped or
captured by other means.
There have been cases come in
about dogs that make my hair stand up, and then there are the “more common” if
you will, cases. One such common case would be, “I thought the gate was
latched, and my dog escaped”. Or, "My dog ran off and has not come home".
As well as, “My dog escaped from the pet sitter, groomer, or boarding facility”.
Some other calls
involve, “My dog was thrown from the car in a car accident”. "The fireworks
scared my dog, and he ran away." All of these scenarios require persistence,
and the need to take action quickly. It has been my experience that most people
when they find a dog are willing to try and find the owner. Although there are
exceptions. It is very important to begin advertising your lost dog immediately.
They can travel fast and some can travel very far. I remember one case that came
in that involved a small, 15 year old dog, who was deaf, and was found 10 miles
from his home….AMAZING! This was because of advertising well! It seems dogs are
more likely at some point to be taken in by someone who sees themselves as a
rescuer. It also seems that with dogs people tend to lean more toward the idea
that the dog was abused, abandoned, or uncared for. The longer the dog spends
out trying to survive in a world they are not use to they become more fearful,
become malnourished, and would appear as if they were abandoned, when this just
might not be the case. It could mean that the owners mistakenly assumed their
dog would not travel as far as they have and because they are receiving no calls
about sightings in their area they give over to the idea that someone has their
dog.
Scenarios that are
common to lost pets
Let's
look at some of the typical scenarios that happen to lost pets.
These are some
specific scenarios that may, or could happen to your pet. I will be listing
titles that are commonly used terms in the world of lost pets when speaking
about things that happen to them when they are lost or seem to just disappear.
Unintentional Displaced
By this I mean your pet may enter into a car that has a
window down, workman’s van, or moving company that has left the door open while
working or loading. A cat especially may remain quiet and hidden for hours, and
may go unnoticed indefinitely. Then the cat escapes when the vehicle has stopped
and is being unloaded. The scariest part of this is now your pet could be miles,
or even states away. This is why if you allow your pets to roam freely, you need
to be well aware of who or what is coming and going from your neighborhood. This
could also mean your pet has entered into a neighbor’s garage, shed, crawl
space, or even a home and now has been unintentionally displaced and is not able
to escape. Be sure that you are searching all areas very meticulously even if
you are told “that building has not been opened for years”. You could have
a very fearful,
silent pet, that is well hidden because they are in an unfamiliar place.
Intentional Displacement
Intentional displacement of a pet is usually by someone
who is not fond of your pet, which can be for a variety of reasons. Some of the
common reasons involving cats would be that the neighbors may be irritated that
the cat is leaving paw prints on their car, catching and killing birds, and
other small animals. The cat may be using their garden as a giant litter box.
Some common reasons involving dogs include, excessive barking, using the
bathroom in other people’s yards, and the dog may be chasing the neighbor’s cat.
When someone intentionally removes a pet from the area, there are usually three
things that they may be considering. One, taking the pet and relocating it to
another area. Two, capturing the pet and taking it to the shelter. Three,
harming or even killing the pet.
The Rescued Pet
A "rescuer" is someone who sees themselves as a Good
Samaritan and in most cases are just that. The exceptions would be those who
take no action in trying to locate the owner of the pet they just picked up. I
have to say this scenario kind of hits home for me, because I believe it was
someone who took in my lost
Labrador
without trying to locate me, and/or ignored all of our advertisements. When
someone tells me they "found" this great pet, I always think to myself, I wonder
who they belong to? In the words of Kat Albrecht, "Think Lost, NOT Stray." Side
note... Bless all those who do take it upon themselves to gather up the lost,
and do try to locate, and then place pets in great homes!
Predators
There seems to be a great debate on this scenario,
namely coyotes attacking cats. It has been my experience in the areas that I
have worked this does not happen as much as some think. Although this scenario
does occur it is not as prevalent, as the fact that the pet is hiding or has
been picked up. I have heard it said by other Pet Detectives that this scenario
is a regular occurrence for them. From my readings, it also seems to happen more
toward the
Midwest
to the West coast. Although, from what I am reading and learning now, it is
becoming a growing problem nationwide. I just heard a news report concerning
Boson
Massachusetts,
of numerous coyote attacks on pets. I have been observing three cats that live
down our road, who are outdoor cats all the time. We have bears, coyotes, foxes,
hawks, and even mountain lions that claim this area. For the 5 to 7 years I have
been observing these cats they are still there. Saying all that to say this, we
are surrounded by wildlife that could easily take these cats, and have every
opportunity to do so, but have not. Don't miss understand, I am not saying this
never happens, or does not happen as often as others claim, but in my experience
and some of the cases I have worked it is not the dominate scenario. The only
time I have found this scenario to rein true is if I am working a sick, injured,
or elderly lost pet case, which makes them more prone to a predator attack. Then
you cannot be sure if the pet became deceased and then was taken by predator, or
if it was taken by predator first. There have been some questions about foxes
attacking cats. In my experience this is even less likely than pets being taken
predominantly by coyotes. From my study, foxes normally feed on
bugs, fruits, grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, berries, nuts, and grains during
the summer months, and eat small animals such as mice, rabbits, birds, turtles,
eggs, and even dead animals during the winter. They also may kill chickens if
they live near chicken farms. Here is a link to more information concerning cats
and foxes.
http://www.derbyfoxes.org/cats.htm
For even more information >>view
more
Trapped
A pet that escapes, and then becomes trapped can be a very
serious scenario. This is one of the biggest dangers in a pets becoming lost.
There are a few ways that this can occur. If you’re pet has broken free while on
a leash or from being tied it is imperative that a search begin immediately.
This scenario leaves the pet vulnerable to getting choked, prevents them from
seeking shelter in harsh weather. It also makes them easy prey for a predator
attack. The most common ways a pet becomes trapped is through Unintentional
Displacement as we covered previously. Trapped cats are more likely to still be
within their territory. You should conduct a hasty search right away.
Injured/ill/Deceased
When a fearful or skittish pet goes missing they are
looking for somewhere to take cover. This means even if you call their name they
may not respond to you. When an animal is injured nature tells them to not make
themselves known. They are considered easy prey at that point, and are trying to
remain unnoticed. This means even by you. Also, a pet that is now out of
familiar territory means that they may be in another animal’s territory. For
example, a cat that is an outdoor access cat may have been pushed out of its own
territory into another more aggressive cat’s territory, and the aggressor is not
allowing them to come back through to re-enter to their own territory. Most
injured, ill, and deceased cats are within their own territory.
Acts
of Cruelty
This also being so
unbelievably sick, but is a fact as to what can happen to lost,
stolen, or missing pets. Pets that are used in acts of
gangs and occults even acts of revenge taken out on your pet because of past
relationships and disputes can also occur. This could be by an ex-husband/wife,
family member, neighbor, bird lover that has witnessed a cat killing birds or
small animals, or because a cat is leaving paw prints on the neighbor’s clean,
shiny vehicle. This can also mean a neighbor has poisoned your pet because of
some of the above reasons. I am witness to some of these acts as I have worked
some cases that these things have happened. It is a relentlessly painful thing
to witness and go through. I cannot emphasize enough to keep an eye on your pets
and practice responsible pet ownership. They are the innocent, we are their
caretakers.
Stolen
This to me is another one of the most selfish, hideous
acts taken upon pets. Pets have been stolen right out of their own backyards.
Even a fence cannot stop someone with this intent. Pets are stolen for many
reasons, a few being: someone’s own sick idea that they have just got to have
your pet because “it is just so cute,” and it likes them. To, theft for profit
of unspayed, or unneutered pets for breeding. And yes, also the theft rings
that exist for Research laboratories. If you believe your pet has been stolen
you will need to contact the police department.
Escaped Pet
There are a couple of different escape scenarios:
One
being, the pet that just has to know what is going on out there beyond the walls
or fence. This would be known as a pet that is classified as curious. They may
not be scared, or even fear the unknown, but they have a need to break free,
push out the door, dig from under the fence etc. They are not lost at first.
They become lost when they look up after chasing that squirrel, or someone’s
lost cat that goes bolting down the road. They will start searching, but
become even more lost. If this is a friendly dog who just loves everybody they
are more likely to be picked up by a “rescuer”. If they are out in an
unfamiliar area, and become scared they are more likely to roam. Which will be
described below.
Then there is the fearful escaper, the one who escapes out
of fear of noises such as thunder, fireworks, and gunshots. They may also be
fearful of new things such as strangers in their home, pet sitters, visiting
pets, new pets, and even a new home. They will bolt and may run for a long
ways, and keep running once someone tries to approach them. They become more
xenophobic, and are the hardest to catch up to. They can be misinterpreted for
being feral if it is cat, and usually if it is a dog they are assumed abused.
Wandering
Pet
There are two types of wandering pets. One being the ones
that usually are fearful in temperament, and are not easily approached. They are
seen as having been abused, and in the event someone is able to “rescue”
them they are normally not returned to the owner for the thought that they were
dumped, and not cared for.
Two, the wandering dog who is actually enjoying his
adventure. The wandering dog can be at large for weeks even months, before they
are either met by an accident, someone has been working toward gaining their
trust, or they have been trapped by some other means. In order to recover your
pet if it fits this scenario you must remain active, persistent, and be able to
get sightings as they move into different locations. In other words, you must
try and stay a step ahead. This can be exhausting, and discouraging, but you can
recover them if you stick with it.
Action Step -
Begin advertising
(Information
shared is a combination of what I learned at Kat Albrecht's training seminars
www.missingpetpartnership.org and my own opinions and experiences.)
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