13 Reasons: Why Do Dogs Run Away?

Dogs are man’s best friends. They’re loyal, loving, and always ready to give their owners a hug. But sometimes they try to run away. 

When a dog runs away, it’s usually because he senses danger. He might smell something bad, hear something strange or see something scary.

In this blog post, we’ll look at 10 reasons why dogs run away from people. We hope you find them helpful!

Why do dogs run away?

There are many different reasons that can cause your dog to want to leave the house. Some of these include:

1) Separation anxiety:

If your dog is afraid of being left alone for long periods of time, then separation anxiety may be causing him to feel anxious when you go out. This could lead to him running off in search of someone who will take care of him.

2) Fearful behavior:

Some breeds have been bred over thousands of years to protect humans – so if your dog has inherited his fearfulness from his ancestors, he may not like other animals around him.

On the other hand, Some breeds tend to show fearful behaviors more than others. For example, German Shepherds often display aggressive behaviors towards strangers. These types of dogs need lots of exercise and attention so they don’t become bored.

3) Your Dog Is Scared Of Something New

If your dog is scared by new things like loud noises, bright lights, or unfamiliar smells, then she may be running away for fear. She could also be trying to escape an unpleasant situation such as being in a car on her way somewhere else.

They also feel scared for the following reasons:

• fireworks
• thunderstorms
• big crowds
• gunfire 

4) Mating instinct:

While they are sexually matured, male dogs get very excited about mating with females. If your female dog isn’t interested in having sex yet, she may decide to run away instead.

5) Hunting instinct:

Every dog wants to hunt. When hunting instincts kick in, some dogs start chasing after prey. It doesn’t matter whether the prey is real or imaginary; all they know is that there is food nearby. So if your dog sees another animal near where you live, he may think it’s a good idea to chase after it.

6) Boredom:

Your dog may just be feeling bored. Sometimes boredom leads to destructive habits like chewing furniture or digging holes in the yard. In order to keep himself entertained, he may choose to run away.

7) Being chased:

Sometimes dogs run away because they sense that they are going to be caught. Maybe they saw a stranger coming up behind them while they were playing outside. Or maybe they heard footsteps getting closer and closer.

8) Unfamiliar surroundings:

A lot of times, dogs run away simply because they aren’t used to seeing certain places. Perhaps they’ve never seen a big city before, or perhaps they haven’t ever visited a park. Either way, they may feel confused and lost without any familiar landmarks to guide them.

9) Distracted from their regular activities:

Dogs love routine. They thrive best when everything goes according to plan every day. But sometimes life gets busy and plans change. That’s okay though – as long as you make sure your dog knows what to expect next.

Otherwise, he might try to figure things out on his own. And that means he won’t always come home when expected.

10) Weather and Catastrophic Events

Some adverse weather patterns also have the tendency to scare the dogs and make them run away altogether. Top examples of these are hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and wildfires.

Given the sharper smell and hearing faculties of the dogs, they are able to detect these from afar off. Upon sensing these calamities, they run away for their own safety.

11) Nature Calls:

Like any other animal, dogs too have some natural drives which they inevitably have to respond to. Examples of these are reproductive drives, thirst, water, and excretion. They will usually run away from you to respond to these drives.

It is important that you train your dogs to maintain quietness and order even when they inevitably have to respond to these natural drives.

12) Food deprivation:

Sometimes hungry dogs run away. Their bodies tell them that they haven’t eaten enough during the day. The only thing they crave right now is food. This can happen at night time too. Your dog may wake up suddenly and find itself starving. He then runs away to eat something.

13) Pain:

Painful conditions such as arthritis, cancer, broken bones, etc., can cause dogs to run away. These painful situations often lead to stress and anxiety. If this happens, your dog may decide to escape from whatever situation has caused him pain.

Dog Breeds Most Likely To Run Away

There are many breeds of dogs who tend to run away more than others. Here we list down 10 most common ones.

• Anatolian Shepherd
• Bloodhound
• Great Pyrenees
• Catahoula Leopard Dog 
• Bluetick Coonhound
• Pit Bull Mix
• Black and Tan Coonhound
• Belgian Malinois
• Saint Bernard
• Great Dane

What to do if your dog runs away?

It’s important to not panic, stay calm, and remain patient in case your dog does run away. You should first determine why it ran away. Was it just curious about new sights and sounds? Did it get scared by an unfamiliar place? Is there anything else that could possibly trigger its behavior? Once you know the reason, you’ll be better equipped to handle the situation.

If your dog was running away due to curiosity, you shouldn’t worry much. Just keep an eye on where he went and wait patiently until he comes back. It’s possible that he got bored with being cooped up inside all day. So, let him go explore a bit outside.

If your dog was running away because he was afraid or stressed, you need to take immediate action. First, don’t chase after him. Instead, call him using a loud voice.

Then, pick him up gently so that he doesn’t feel threatened. Next, walk slowly towards him while calling again. When he sees you coming closer, pet him softly. After doing this several times, he’ll probably start trusting you again.

Do dogs come back when they run away?

A study said, 7% of missing dogs never come back again. However, It depends upon how well you trained them.

They rely on familiar scents to find their way home, and those smells can lead them a long way. A new study found that in addition to dogs being able to hone in one specific smell (a person or animal), they also follow other things such as pee-marked trees!

How to prevent a dog from running away

Keep Them Safe And Calm

Dogs have very sensitive noses. They use these senses to detect danger around them. Therefore, keeping your dog safe means making sure that she stays out of harm’s way. This includes avoiding dangerous places such as busy roads, tall fences, and open spaces.

Make Sure Your Home is Secure

Your house needs to be secure enough to avoid unwanted intruders. For example, doors and windows should always be locked at night. Keep any valuables hidden away too.

Don’t Let Him Out Alone

Never leave your dog alone outdoors during bad weather. Even though it might seem tempting to let her roam free, it will only increase the chances of getting lost.

Protect against mating and hunting instincts

Neutering your dog before puberty prevents his sexual drive from taking over. If neutered, they are no longer interested in females. Neuter males usually lose interest in fighting and chasing game animals.

Preventing breeding

Breeding season varies depending on breed. Some breeds mate year-round, but others do not. The best time to neuter your male dog is between 6 months and 1 year old.

The same goes for spaying female dogs. Spay them early if they haven’t already been bred yet. Otherwise, wait till they reach 12 weeks old.

Attach a Tractive GPS tracker to your dog’s collar

It’s important to keep an eye on your dog at all times. You may want to consider buying a GPS tracking device that allows you to monitor where your dog has gone. This is the best way to ensure your dog is safe. Also, Make sure he’s always wearing an ID tag with up-to-date contact information.

Use positive reinforcement techniques

Reward good behavior by praising your dog whenever possible. Don’t punish him just because he ran off. Instead, praise him for obeying your command.

Give him lots of attention

When your dog runs away, he feels lonely and neglected. Give him some extra love and affection so he doesn’t feel abandoned.

Secure your home and yard:

If you live in an area with large open spaces, you might be tempted to let your dog out unattended. But this is one of the most common ways dogs get lost. When your dog escapes through a fence, he can’t find his way home again.

Secure that fence line by installing proper fencing. If possible, install a region-specific fence that includes your neighborhood. A professional fencing company can get the job done for you.

If you can’t close off all access to your dog, take him on frequent walks instead.

Keep your dog entertained, active and happy:

Exercise keeps your dog’s body and minds healthy. It also prevents destructive behaviors like chewing furniture, nipping at people, and digging holes in the yard.

You must teach your dog to obey commands like sit, lie down, stand still, stop barking, and play nicely. Also, make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercises every day.

It helps build muscle strength and endurance for your dog. In fact, studies show that exercising makes dogs less likely to run away. Make sure that you’re consistent with your training methods.

Train your dog to behave properly:

It’s important to train your dog to obey basic commands. This ensures that he stays within the boundaries you’ve set for him. Your dog will feel more comfortable in these familiar surroundings, making it less likely for them to stray away.

Identify any health problems:

If your dog runs away, go through his medical history file and check for any current or recently-treated issues. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if you see anything suspicious.

Final Verdict:

Always keep your pet safe with a Tractive GPS tracker. This small device provides continuous protection at all times. It’s the best way to ensure they will always return home safely.