9 Things to Do When Your Lost Dog Returns Home

Do you know that around 93% of lost dogs reported missing eventually return with their owners? So, if you have, there is still a massive chance it will return home.

The return of a lost dog is an event filled with mixed emotions: relief, joy, and a multitude of questions. How did your dog find its way home? What are the next steps you should take?

Whenever your lost dog returns, you should quickly check it for injuries, assess its physical condition, clean and groom it, ensure its tag, reestablish its routine, and update the community.

Here, we will discuss these further with reasons why you should conduct them. Let’s discuss:

How Does Your Lost Dog Find Your Home?

Pets, especially dogs, have an excellent sense of direction and scent. Some dog breeds can even track the faintest scent to find its way home.

The homing instinct of dogs is a remarkable and somewhat mysterious phenomenon. Studies show that a combination of factors, such as environmental markers, scent trails, and possibly even an internal magnetic compass, may help a dog find its way back home.

The stronger your bond with your dog, the more likely it is to find its way back home. Additionally, dogs’ instincts help them track their owners. With all these factors combined, lost dogs have a high chance of being reunited. 

In short, here are the factors assisting your lost puppy to get back to you:'

• Ability to track Scent
• Spatial and visual memory
• Bond with you (its owner)
• Cue observation
• Homing instinct
• Previous experience
• Routine reinforcement
• Internal magnetic compass (similar to migratory birds)

9 Things to Do When Your Lost Dog Returns

When your pet returns to you, either on its own or with the community's help, these are the 9 things you should perform. 

1. Response Quickly

The moment you get back your dog, the first thing to do is approach it calmly and give it lots of pets. Avoid making any sudden movements, as they can make your furry friend anxious and fearful.

Reassure them with gentle words and plenty of affection. This will help them feel safe and loved. This can be a very emotional moment for both you and your dog. So, be careful to act accordingly.

2. Check for Injuries

The next thing you do after assuring your pet is to check it for injuries. Pet animals, especially the ones that grew up indoors, find it challenging to survive in the wild. So, it is natural that they may have cuts or bruises. 

If you find any sign of harm or see your dog in pain, contact your vet immediately. Most pet illnesses can be treated if they are diagnosed and treated early. Therefore, make sure your dog doesn’t have injuries to avoid long-term sickness.

3. Assess Physical Condition

Once you have inspected your dog for injuries, you move on to check its physical condition. Pet animals depend on their owners for food, water, and shelter. Thus, a lost dog can be dehydrated, starved, or malnourished.

If you see any of these signs, take proper steps to help them recover. Give them water to drink, food to eat, and treats to encourage their courage to find their home back.

4. Observe Behavior

Once your dog is well-fed and watered, it will start to relax a bit. Now, it’s time to check their behavior. A lost dog may show signs of anxiety, aggression, or exhaustion due to the trauma it suffered. Check out for anxiety symptoms and take measures to calm it down.

Give it time to get accustomed to its home’s environment. Be patient while they readjust to their usual environment and feel safe and happy.

5. Cleaning and Grooming

Once your dog settles down, it’s time to bathe it. This helps remove any dirt, parasites, or potential allergens your furry friend may have picked up while wandering in the wild.

While bathing, check its skin and fur for any hidden issues. Then, thoroughly groom it to get it back to its prime condition. Grooming also helps remove ticks or pests to avoid lingering health conditions.

6. Check the Tags

After the cleaning and grooming session, focus your attention on your dog’s tags. Your dog may have lost its tags while they were missing, or they may get scratched or obscured. In any case, keep them up-to-date with current information.

If your puppy is not microchipped, consider chipping it. Also, update microchip information if it is not. This helps significantly to get back your pet if lost again.

7. Reestablish Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. Thus, it is essential to reestablish its usual routine as soon as possible. Consistent feeding, walking, and sleeping routines make your dog feel safe and comfortable while helping it return to normalcy.

Gradually reintroduce them to the daily schedule they were accustomed to before getting lost. This will help them get stable and reduce anxiety after almost losing their favorite human. 

8. Update the Communities

Nowadays, it is very common to utilize local animal communities, online platforms, shelters, and groups to find your lost pet. If you have informed any of such platforms to find your pet, it’s time to inform them of its return.

Thank all the people who put effort into finding your puppy. You can also share your experience. This will help others get valuable insight from your experience and find their lost pets. 

9. Be Careful for Next Loss

You have found your pet this time; next time, you may not get that lucky. Therefore, it is better to take preventive measures to avoid losing your dog. Make your yard safer, and consider getting a GPS collar for extra security. 

Consider training your dog with recall commands. Overall, being proactive reduces the chance of losing your favorite puppy.

Final Words

Getting back your lost pet is a miraculous and heartwarming event. However, it is crucial to ensure your dog’s safety and health once you get it back. By following these 9 steps, you can systematically ensure your pet's well-being after it gets back to you.

Be patient and give your dog the love it deserves. Celebrate its return and learn from this experience. Enhance the security of your home to avoid further events. This will keep your furry friend happy and healthy in your home environment.