5 Vet-Verified Reasons Why Dogs Run Away & How To Stop It

You could have the happiest dog living a life of luxury, and there's still a chance that they end up running away. Even though our pets running away or getting lost is something we dread, there comes a time in many dog owners' lives where their best friend wanders a little too far and leaves us desperately searching for them.

Don’t take it personally if your dog has a habit of running away. Dogs aren’t always the best at controlling their actions and often rely on instinct, even if it isn’t for their own good. So, what are some reasons why dogs run away?

The 5 Reasons Why Dogs Run Away

1. Fear

Fear is what drives all living creatures when in a dangerous situation. Like humans, dogs experience a fight or flight response when they feel scared, and it isn’t uncommon for your pup to choose the latter. Dogs are afraid of numerous things, such as fireworks, storms, gunfire, and large crowds. You never know what could trigger a fear-based response. They run away often to look for someplace to hide and feel more secure.

2. Anxiety

There are mild to extreme cases of anxiety, including separation anxiety in dogs. We aren't ignoring the irony of a dog with separation anxiety running away. When dogs feel anxious, they may do all sorts of things that are outside of their usual behavior. Peeing inside, chewing furniture, and trying to escape can all be signs that your dog is suffering from anxiety.

3. Mating

Dogs mature much more quickly than we do. At 6 months old, toy and small-breed dogs are mostly sexually mature, while for larger and giant breeds, this can take as long as 18-36 months and may start to follow their instincts to reproduce with some of the other neighborhood hounds. You can’t really blame them for trying to pass on their adorable genes, can you?

4. Instinct to Hunt

All dogs have an instinct to hunt; some are just more likely to follow it than others. Because of this natural instinct that has been passed down through generations of dogs, our pets often get a rise out of chasing other animals. While some dogs are bred to hunt, others are doing what their bodies tell them to. They catch a scent of prey and chase it down until some run so far that they don’t know their surroundings or how to get home.

5. Lack of Stimulation

A common reason that dogs run away is that they aren’t properly stimulated at home or are bored. More intelligent breeds are usually the suspects in these scenarios. They are naturally curious, and running away is their best bet of having a new adventure.

The 5 Tips for Preventing Your Dog from Running Away

There are times when our dogs running away is out of our control. However, it’s nice to know that there are a lot of preventative measures that are successful in preventing this.

1. Keep the Dog Calm

Dogs are more likely to run if they are scared or anxious. Avoid taking dogs to places with loud noises or crowds. If inside, close all your windows during thunderstorms or fireworks shows. Give them a safe place to hide until everything calms down.

2.Neuter Or Spay

Unless you’re purposely planning to breed your dog, consult your veterinarian about having them spayed or neutered. Neutering your pets significantly decreases the chance of sexually motivated roaming.

3. Secure Your Home

Make it harder for your dog to run off by creating a secure home with barriers and fences for the outdoors. This often includes installing new or better fencing around your yard that your dog can’t dig or jump their way out of. Try using more secure door and window screens or door barriers if they have a habit of roaming away from the house. Of course, always keep a close eye on your dog whenever they are outside.

4. Keep Dogs Entertained

Keeping your dogs entertained increases their physical and mental health and also decreases their chance of wandering when you aren’t looking. Play with them or give them some sort of high-energy exercise daily, depending on their age and health. If you’re gone for long hours of the day, you might consider hiring a pet sitter to keep them company for a few hours. There are also plenty of toys and puzzles designed to stimulate your dog’s mind if you aren’t up for a play session.

• See Also: How to Run With Your Dog – Step-by Step Guide

5. Be Prepared

You’ll have a much easier time reuniting with your lost dog if they have an ID tag and a microchip. Keep your contact information up to date with your address and home number. Additionally, you can place a GPS tracker on your pet to know their location in real time.

Final Thoughts

Dogs running away isn't anything new. While it may hurt your feelings, dogs aren't leaving you for personal reasons. Often, they were following an instinct before they realized that they were lost. If they do happen to run away, remember to stay calm to keep them from becoming more frightened.

• Related Read: Why Does My Dog Race Through the House? 

Featured Image Credit: Oscity, Shutterstock