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 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? Let’s cover the top 6 reasons underlying this behavior, what you can do to prevent it, and how a GPS dog tracker can help you make sure you never lose your buddy again.

Why do dogs run away? 6 reasons behind it

There are several factors which may lead to a dog running away. Let’s explore them in more detail below.

1) Fear

Just like us, our furry friends tend to react in different ways to fear. It may 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:

  • fireworks
  • thunderstorms
  • big crowds
  • gunfire

Every dog parent knows that loud noises may frighten dogs. 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.

So make sure you 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 pair of puppies sitting in a field

“Even with a leash, safety harness and training, you can’t be 100% sure that your dog won’t escape.

For that reason, a GPS tracker is recommended for dogs who are prone to fear and anxiety attacks.”

– Bettina Neuner, Animal Welfare-qualified dog trainer & Nutritionist3

2) Separation anxiety

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!)

3) Mating instinct

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. Dogs who have not been neutered or fixed are especially prone to the mating call. 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 US-based Tractive pet parent

4) Boredom

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. Cheeky, but scary!

5) Hunting instinct

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. Once they have, your dog might easily run away and lose track of where they are.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to handling your dog’s prey drive? Find more information and tips to handle the hunting instinct in dogs here.

6) Unfamiliar surroundings

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.

Dog breeds that run away

Some dog breeds are more likely to run away than others. Like, for example:

  • Labs,
  • Australian Shepherds,
  • Jack Russels,
  • German Shepherds,
  • Spaniel breeds,
  • Terriers,
  • Border Collies,
  • …and maybe yours?

Now you might be thinking that your dog is way too chill or well-trained to run away. But more often than not, your dog’s instincts might even override their training. 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.

dog wearing GPS dog tracker sitting next to man outside house in field

💡So you could set your mind at ease with an extra tall fence around your yard or garden – or a GPS dog tracker which lets you track your missing dog in real-time.

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What to do if your dog runs away?

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. 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 tracker is 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.

Our top tips on how to prevent a dog from running away

Keep your dog safe & 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

  • Spaying and neutering decreases sexual roaming in 90% of cases3.
  • Re-training your dog with basic obedience commands can be a great way to keep them mentally active. (Especially 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.

Try a Virtual Fence in place of a physical one

A smarter, more affordable option to setting up an expensive physical fence around your house? Tractive’s Virtual Fence.

From your Tractive mobile app, you can set up a “safe zone” for your dog – and get an instant escape alert on your phone if your dog tries to sneak past it.

Escape alerts via the Tractive GPS mobile app

💡 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.

Set Up A Virtual Fence

Keep your dog entertained, active & happy

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!

  • 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.)

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.

For more ideas, check out our post on how to stop your dog from running away.

Wrapping up: 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.)

But by securing your home and fence, keeping your dog entertained, staying aware of their “triggers” and making sure your dog is easy to identify, you can make sure your dog never goes missing.

Even if they do, you’ll have tools you need to be reunited again.

packaging of the Tractive GPS DOG tracker

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.

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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.