There are many ways to find a lost dog
Losing a dog can be heartbreaking, but a methodical approach to your search is the best way to find it, says Tessa Chan
We were preparing a Sunday barbecue a week after moving into our new home the night Fung Fung ran away. Our dogs used to run in and out of our old house without problems, so we were relaxed about leaving the front door open. But that was a mistake.
Experts say it's one that many pet owners make. "Even well-behaved dogs sometimes run off from their homes. This is more likely to occur in new surroundings, so owners are advised to keep newly moved - or newly adopted - dogs confined or controlled at the initial stage," says Sandy Macalister, executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Hong Kong.
"Dogs may be spooked by a sudden loud noise, or they may be scared by other dogs, and can easily become disorientated. Others may run off following a scent or chasing small animals. A dog that hasn't been desexed is more likely to run off," adds Macalister.
Letting dogs off the leash too early, before they've learned to respond to your calls, also increases that risk. Dog trainer Mark Peters says leadership training is the key to getting your dog to come back when called. "It's easier to train your dog to come back to you on a long extendable lead first," says Peters. "If it doesn't come every time with those, then it shouldn't be coming off the lead. A dog will only come back if it respects you as its leader."
The first thing we did that evening was to split up into pairs and scour our neighbourhood on foot, calling Fung Fung's name. I was with Maximo, our three-year-old son. He was tired and hungry, so we didn't get very far and I decided to take him back home for a charred, distracted dinner. My husband and our elder son, Hugo, returned exhausted not long after.
After putting the children to bed, we took turns to continue the search. The first 24 hours are crucial, as the dog is still likely to be within a short radius of where you lost him, and Janice Jensen, director of Hong Kong Animal Speak, recommends searching the area for at least a few hours.