Lost Dog Prevention Strategies

Mill dog survivors have additional issues that make them high flight risks. They can be terrified of almost anything and will bolt at noises, unexpected movements, visual stimuli, or people. You think you know what “terrified” and “bolt” are, but you cannot appreciate the suddenness and the violence of it until you’ve seen it happen. As the caregiver for your pets, it is your job to protect them. You cannot protect them from the environment and the noises it produces, but you are responsible to do everything you can to protect them from themselves, their own fears, and the consequences of the lives they lead prior to coming to NMDR. The information on this site is meant to help you prevent your dogs from getting lost and to make sure they can be found if they do.

Secure the Yards:
● Fenced yards should be regularly checked to make certain that the gates are closed and the yard is free of holes.
● Gates should be locked if possible to avoid the inadvertent opening. If unable to lock, a sign should be posted indicating your dog is a flight risk.
● Dogs of high flight risk should never be left outside unattended (even in a secured yard) when there is a storm or threat of a storm, construction nearby, lawn mowing, party, or any other activity that has the potential to produce a loud noise.

Close the Doors:
● Make sure when you go outside, or come back inside that the door is closed securely behind you. ▪When bringing in groceries, letting guests inside, or just answering the door, be sure your dog is secured either with a leash, behind a dog gate, or closed inside another room.
● Educate your friends and family. Let them know your dog is a Mill dog and a potential flight risk and warn them about opened or cracked doors.

Leashing:
● Dogs being transferred from house to car, or car to car, should always be on a leash. ▪ The leash should be secured to the person doing the transfer. The loop of the leash should be around the wrist and in the hand of the person responsible for the dogs.
● Educate your family and friends about proper leashing procedures, especially if they will one day be responsible for watching your pets.

Walking:
● Dogs should not be walked outside of a secured area until they are comfortable with their caregivers and with being on a leash.
● Dogs should never be walked off-leash in an unsecured area.
● Dogs walked after 3:00pm in the winter and 7:00pm in the summer should be wearing a continuously blinking red light on their collars.
● Consider purchasing a GPS tracking unit that attaches to your dogs’ collars. This will help you locate your pets right away should they suddenly bolt. (See below for websites)

Identification:
● Dogs should always wear current ID tags, including NMDR, and rabies with the foster/adoptive parent’s information.
● If you take the collar off to bathe or brush your dog put it back on before taking your dog outside.
● Dogs should wear Martingale collars.

Caretakers:
● In the event you go out of town, be sure to inform your dogs’ caretaker (even if you are leaving them at a boarding facility or veterinarian) that your dogs are Mill Dogs and require special attention. (see Dog Sitter Info Form)
● Be sure to go over the kennel or yard area and check security and noise level and point out any potential problems to the caretaker.
● Maintain a current color photograph of the dog and give one to the caretaker. Write a description of your dog noting all identifying characteristics in case you need it.

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