Dear LostDogSearch,
I just wanted to send a huge thank you. Because of your website, I was finally able to get my Boxer “Puddin” back after ten days. She’s a very pampered 9-year-old with a heart condition. She got mad and ran away when I wouldn’t let her go “bye-bye” with me. I had put out flyers and searched and searched before finding your website. I changed the flyers after reading your advice. What helped me most was the parts about thinking like a dog. When I read that, you described my dog to a T. Lost dog behaviors and some of the areas they usually prefer.
Puddin was hanging out at the back side of a new subdivision that had sandy trails and woods. I tracked my dog for 10 days and brushed out any prints so that I could see new ones. Her patterns changed after being chased in the middle of the night by a police officer trying to help. I found her new pattern and followed your directions when I finally got an actual sighting. She was in a field with her new “buddy” dogs – one being a huge female Rottweiler. I pulled up, didn’t get out of the van, opened the door, and talked to her without looking her in the eyes. She began barking as if to say, “GO AWAY” and then trotted off towards the woods but didn’t go into them. The man who owns the field gave me a can of Vienna Sausages to befriend his dogs and they followed me into the field. I never once really looked at Puddin but kept her in my peripheral vision. I kept my arms close to my body like you instructed, and occasionally sat down to play with the other dogs and give them nibbles. When I was about thirty yards from Puddin, still not looking at her, I laid down and let the other dogs lick all over me. She finally had to come over and get in on the action. She wasn’t wearing her collar when she ran away, so I had it in my hand (attached to the leash) this whole time. I petted under her neck softly, then the top of her head and neck. I let go to give her and her friends sausages, then started petting her more firmly. I remained laying down and not looking her in the eyes. I got the lead around her neck and sat there for a while before gently rising to my knees and then on my feet. I took my time getting back to the van and she came with me easily. When we got there, she jumped right in like nothing ever happened!!!
I honestly think that had I not come across your website, Puddin would still be out there lost or getting hit on the highway. You are doing a great service and I am eternally grateful.
Thanks so much! Susan & Puddin