How to Catch a Lost Dog

Few things are more heartbreaking than discovering a lost dog. The Missing Pet Partnership cites common causes of dogs becoming separated from their families: a door or gate is accidentally left open; the dog becomes frightened by thunder, gunfire or a traumatic experience and flees; or the dog is not properly confined to a property and escapes. Consider using a live trap to catch a lost dog. Live traps are safe and humane and are used to capture wild, lost or easily frightened animals.

Things You'll Need

  • Live trap
  • Canned dog food
  • Friend/family member
  • Camera
  • Printer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Monitor the lost dog closely to determine the area or areas it frequents the most.

    • 2

      Set the live trap in an area where you've recently witnessed the dog or seen signs of the dog's presence. You can purchase live traps at hardware and pet stores or borrow one from your local humane society or animal shelter.

    • 3

      Place canned dog food in the live trap as bait. Canned dog food has a strong aroma that attracts a hungry, lost dog into the trap.

    • 4

      Check the live trap regularly. Dogs feed or look for food throughout the day, so check the trap every few hours for maximum success.

    • 5

      Move the live trap containing the dog to a safe and secure environment. Depending on the size of the lost dog, ask a friend or family member to help you move the live trap containing the captured dog to a safe location.