From mating instincts to hunting instincts to plain boredom - there are a whole bunch of reasons dogs away! (Yes, even the best-trained, best-behaved ones.) So here's a deep dive into some of the reasons why - and what you can do to prevent your buddy from getting lost.
No matter if you’ve got an escape artist at home or a dog who rarely leaves your side – losing your buddy is a frightening experience. Whether that’s from a dognapping attempt, or a habit of chasing down smaller animals, or if your dog tends to spook easily. It’s enough to make you wonder: why do dogs run away? And how can you plan ahead for if (or when) they do?
Even if we do everything to keep them happy, healthy and by our side, sometimes our dogs get distracted, confused, or scared. (No matter how well-trained they are!) And sometimes, that can make them run away. Just thinking about it is enough to give dog parents nightmares. A lost dog may get into trouble, or worse – never find their way home.
So here are the top 6 reasonswhy dogs run away, what you can do to prevent them, and how a GPS dog tracker can help you make sure you never lose your buddy again.
There are several factors which may lead to a dog running away. Let’s explore them in more detail below.
1) Fear & common dog triggers
Just like us, our furry friends feel fear. And when they do, it might trigger their fight, flight, or freeze response. If they decide on flight or flee, they’ll run away.
Dogs are most likely to exhibit a fear/flight response when they encounter the following:
Every dog parent knows that loud noises may frighten dogs. Dogs have a very sharp sense of hearing, and can hear sounds between 15 – 50,000 vibrations per second. For comparison, humans can only pick up sounds between 20 – 20,000 vibrations per second.
Fireworks are one of the most common reasons why dogs run away. In fact, it’s one of the key reasons why dogs go missing around the 4th of July than any other time of year!1
If your dog gets scared by fireworks or thunderstorms, they will likely run away or find somewhere to hide. In either case, you won’t know where they are unless your dog has a GPS dog tracker.
Pay attention to the subtle signs that show your dog might not be comfortable in a certain situation. You can do this by learning to recognize the signs of fear in dogs.
A GPS dog tracker without subscription?
Ready to start GPS tracking your dog for peace of mind, but don’t want to pay a monthly fee? We get it. That’s why we created a guide to GPS dog and cat trackers without subscription plans. (And why a subscription is worth the investment.)
Some dogs will experience separation anxiety when their humans are away, which could lead to them acting a bit… off. Destroying things, chewing furniture, peeing indoors, trying to escape or run away – these are all symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs with separation anxiety might not know how to handle their nerves, or might try to make friends and meet others when you’re away. (Or even more, they might even escape the house to come and find you!)
Puppies don’t stay puppies for long! After sexually maturing at about 6 months, both male and female dogs have a strong instinct to reproduce. And if you’re not careful, you mind find yourself with a litter of puppies. This strong (and natural) urge is a very common reason why dogs run away.
“If your female dog is in heat, she may, unfortunately, try to get out and find herself a Prince Charming. I have had this happen, with my dog turning up five miles from home. Luckily, a neighboring farmer spotted her and gave us a call; I dread to think about what may have happened if that weren’t the case! We ended up with a litter of puppies, and a hefty bill for putting in better fencing!”
A very common cause of dogs running away is boredom. Very smart dog breeds are the most likely suspects! It starts out with them wanting to get to that squirrel over there. Or go down the road to make friends with the neighborhood kids.
Dogs are naturally curious creatures with a need for daily activity and stimulation. If you’re not exercising or entertaining your dog enough, they may get bored and try to create fun for themselves by escaping and running away.
Every dog has a hunting instinct or prey drive. Some are more inclined to follow it, while others are better described as “cuddle hunters”. In any case, this drive can be tough for dog parents, especially during autumn, when dogs can easily pick up the scent of wild animals and try to chase them. Or in winter months, where snow can actually mess with your dog’s sense of smell.
So because of their natural hunting instinct, your dog might easily run away and lose track of where they are. If you’ve got, say, a snow-loving dog like a Golden Lab, they might run away to dive into the nearest snow pile – or chase down a woodland animal to make friends.
Why do dogs love to hunt? Well, there’s two main reasons:
1) Some breeds have been bred to hunt. For example, Beagles, American Foxhounds, Pointers, Setters, Shepherds, and even Retrievers.
2) Hunting is simply fun for them. It releases healthy adrenaline and happiness hormones in your furry friend.
Another reason for a dog running away is being in a territory they don’t know well. Especially during vacations, the risk of your dog running away increases. New territory, smells and distractions can easily cause your dog to go and explore the area and get lost.
So you might come across most often this if you’ve shifted homes with your dog or have moved to a new neighborhood.
Now that we’ve covered the main reasons why dogs run away, you can plan ahead that much better.
But are there some dog breeds that are more likely to run away?
Now you might be thinking that your dog is way too chill or well-trained to run away. But like we’ve covered above, your dog’s inner instincts or factors in their environment could lead them to bolt the fence or run off during a hike. And more often than not, your dog’s instincts might even override their training.
💡Some dogs are even natural runners – so a dog running away may be a sign that it’s time to start a new fitness routine together – to let them run out all that extra energy!
So while it’s important to be extra careful if your dog falls under one of these breeds, we’d recommend planning ahead no matter what. Because:
Every dog is vulnerable to mating or hunting instincts.
Training your dog to overcome their flight response to fear can take years.
So you could set your mind at ease with an extra tall fence around your yard or garden – oraGPS dog tracker which lets you track your missing dog in real-time.Or set up a virtual “safe zone” and immediately get a notification on your phone if your buddy’s snuck past it – so you can intervene and bring them to safety.
Always know where your dog is
Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.
If your dog runs away, stay calm. it’s important to not panic, as that could just frighten your dog further and make it more difficult for you to find them. Follow these tips as soon as possible to bring a lost dog home safely. One of the first steps? Check your home and immediate surroundings. It’s possible your dog might not have escaped too far from home.
Do dogs come back when they run away?
According to estimates, about 7% of missing dogs will never be reunited with their family2. But two things seem to make a happy ending much more likely. When dogs who run away do return home, it’s usually because:
they were found while searching the neighborhood
they were wearing an ID tag and/or microchip
So the earlier you begin your search, the quicker you’ll be able to find your dog. And the more vigilant you are about your dog’s movements, the less likely it’ll be that you lose them in the first place.
A GPS dog trackeris the number one way to stay on top of your dog’s movements – and ensure you can find your dog if they do run away.
Top tips: how to prevent a dog from running away
The following tips can help you to prevent your dog from running away, and make sure your beloved buddy is always by your side.
Keep your dog safe and calm
Knowing your dog’s habits and temperament can help you catch on more quickly when they’re scared. So keep an eye out for how your dog behaves when in “stressful” environments. (Like, for example, large, loud crowds – or during “noisy” festivals like New Year’s Eve or with constant foot traffic like Halloween.)
Close your windows when you see lightning outdoors and keep your dog close to you. The sounds can spook them.
Train your dog with gradual departures. This can help you prepare them to be better able to handle when you leave the house. For example, put on your shoes and pick up your keys, but don’t leave right away. Repeat this several times, decreasing the amount of time before you leave the house each time.
Consider anti-anxiety supplements from your vet. These can help if you know your dog will be going into a stressful situation, like getting on a plane.
Create an enriched home environment for your dog. No need for any complicated setups. Even a long-lasting treat or toy can help keep your dog occupied while you’re not home
Make a cozy, safe space in your home that’s just for your dog. Consider leaving something of “yourself” behind for them – like a sweater or old shirt with your scent on it.
Plan ahead for mating & hunting instincts
There’s no denying instincts – every dog’s got them. But you do have a say on how they act on them.
Have your dog neutered. Spaying and neutering decreases sexual roaming in 90% of cases3.
Refresh your dog’s training. Re-training your dog with basic commands can be a great way to keep them mentally active. Or try a new method, like clicker training, which is based on positive reinforcement. Else, consider investing in obedience or recall training.
Keep your dog on a leash while walking. We’d recommend checking the leash laws in your state or country, as walking your dog on a leash might be mandatory in some parts of the world.
Secure your home and yard
Invest in better fencing if your dog manages to escape your yard – ideally wooden panel fencing with a cement foundation in the ground to avoid any breakouts. (To prevent your smartypants dog from digging under it to escape.) Besides, you could also consider using secure screens, security bars, baby gates or door barriers to discourage them from venturing too far outdoors. And of course, be extra careful to close all doors and windows when leaving home (especially if you’ve got family or friends entering and leaving frequently.)
⚠️ Vets strongly discourage using invisible dog fences or e-collars that rely on static shocks to “train” your dog not to wander. There’s always the risk of causing your dog unimaginable pain – and over time, it might lead them to trust you less. Besides, your dog might also bite, struggle, or react aggressively in self-defence.
A smarter, more affordable option to setting up an expensive physical fence around your house? Tractive’s Virtual Fence. With it, you can set up a “safe zone” for your dog – and get an instant alert on your phone if your dog tries to sneak past it. Perfect for foiling an escape attempt or catching on quickly if your dog has been picked up a pet thief. Plus, no shocks involved. Making it a humane alternative to e-collars and invisible fences.
Let’s face it – your dog might run away simply because they’re bored. But the good news? Preventing your dog’s boredom isn’t just easy, it’s also a ton of fun!
So we’d recommend you:
Play with your dog regularly and give them plenty of cuddle time.
Spice up your dog’s play area. For example, hide balls or treat-dispensing toys around your garden. Puzzle toys and games are a great way to keep your dog mentally active.
Get a pet sitter to keep your pup company. (Or better yet, another dog – it’ll help especially if your buddy has separation anxiety.)
One of the best ways to prevent your dog from running away? Making regular exercise a priority. Which doesn’t just keep your dog healthy, but also prevents them from getting bored. Besides, regular walks and playtime also helps you spend quality time with your buddy.
So with Tractive’s Activity Monitoring, you can set goals for your buddy, make sure they’re getting enough exercise – and take action early if you notice a dip in their energy.
“It can be easy to miss out on changes in your dog’s or cat’s regular activity – or just if they’re on the move more or less than usual. So we’ve set up Activity Degradation alerts for when your pet’s active minutes drop significantly. They can help you intervene in a situation where your pet might be struggling with an infection or even just pain.”
– Sebastian Raab, Product Manager at Tractive & occasional pet-sitter
Be prepared in case your dog does run away
Even with all this planning and prep – your dog might still run away. Here are a couple of important steps that’ll help you find them that much quicker:
Make sure your dog is always wearing a collar with an ID tag and your phone number. Keep this up to date.
Microchip your dog. This can help a vet or a local shelter identify your dog if they scan the microchip. Keep your microchip information up to date on your local database.
Use a GPS tracking device for dogs to always know where your dog is – and follow their every step. With Tractive, you can track your wandering dog in real-time and know just where to go to pick them up.
“Happy is a good dog and at the end of the day, he always comes back. Well, except the time I brought him for our first time to the Siusi Alps. These mountains are known for the intricate paths and the beautiful flora. I was there with Mac, Happy and my family when Happy got lost.Whether this happened because he went after a deer, or not, this is still not clear to me. What was clear is that he was gone.“
Then I remembered that Happy had the GPS tracker clipped on. I immediately switched on the LIVE Tracking mode and started breathing more easily the closer I got to his position. I could follow his path, live, directly on my phone and the position was so accurate that… finally there Happy was, sipping water from the source on a mountain’s edge.”
So why do dogs run away? It’s hard to say exactly why – but the reasons could range from:
Fear
Separation anxiety
Mating instinct
Boredom
Hunting instinct
An unfamiliar environment
Often, more than one of these factors combined can cause your dog to run away. (Yes, no matter how well-trained or well-behaved your dog is.)
So as responsible dog owners, it’s important to be aware of the common reasons why dogs run away and what you can do to stop it from happening. By following the precautions, you can make sure your dog never goes missing. Even if they do, you’ll have tools you need to be reunited again.
Got a friend or a loved one with an escape artist dog at home? Share this post with them – and never worry about losing your dog again.
