My dog is lost--when do I give up looking for him?

Question

I took my three walker hounds to a game preserve to run while I took my daughter to the airport--I guess I was gone about 6 hours. This game preserve is a foxpen especially for training foxhounds. It's 360 acres and surrounded by an electric fence that I assume is standard for keeping any lifestock contained. My dogs are hunting dogs by breed, but I just keep them as pets--they don't hunt, they just run for excercise. They have been to this game preseve many times before, but usually, I stay with them. The two males follow me as I hike, the female takes off and sometimes comes back sometimes the next day and meets me at the gate.

When I got back to pick my dogs up, one of the boy dogs met me at the gate--as I reached for him, he stepped on the electric fence and took off into the wood crying--that was two days ago, and I haven't found him yet. I have gone out every evening since, and this morning, looking for him and calling. I am worried sick--he's my baby. He could not have gotten out of the fence.without getting shocked again.

Some hunters said they saw him running with their dogs yesterday morning and that is its common for dogs to just wear out and then den in the woods for a couple of days before coming back to camp. It has been storming every night and I am wondering if my dog maybe found a hole to sleep in. But its not like him not to respond to my voice.

I am really scared--does anyone have any experience with these kind of dogs?

Answer 1

after youve found him

Answer 2

I don't have experience with the breed, but i know you should never really give up. It's only been two days. This man lost his dog across the country, and the dog walked many miles to go back home. Dogs have very strong sense of smell, so he will probably come back to you, he knows his way. Just be patient. you should put posters and flyers about your dogs disappearance. SOmeone might see him and bring him back to you. He probably isnt injured cause you said a farmer saw him running with his dogs, if he was injured, he wouldnt be doing this. Just be patient, he will return :)  

Answer 3

Anything could have happened and anybody could have taken him (no matter how safe of an area it is)

But this is not meant to make you feel like a bad dog mom.

I would keep looking and don't give up hope.Maybe post flyers locally because someone might have spotted him and taken him in.

Answer 4

Don't give up, he has a limited area to hide.

Answer 5

Please don't stop, I know your scared, but he will come back.

I'm not sure if you will find him around that area, because he got shocked so look around that area.

Don't give up hope.

Answer 6

I wouldn't say as someone else did, that you have a limited area to hide--you said its 360 acres- if there are holes anywhere under the fence, they might have escaped.  I don't know if it is common practice in this area, with these types of dogs, to drop them off alone for 6 hours, but it appears incredibly naive, and irresponsible.  I hope for their sake you find them.  You only mention one dog, but you dropped off 3.  Do you have the other 2 back?

I'd be there every day looking, post signs, talk to anyone you see.  Someone may have picked them up.  Check all your local dog pounds too.

Answer 7

Keep searching for him.  Take a big zip lock bag and fill it with some food.  Call his name and shake the bag.  He could be hurt also, walk around.  Start in the morning, take off of work if you have to, and don't stop until the sun is going down.  I would leave your other dogs at home.  Did he like one particular dog over the others?  If so, bring that one.  He may see it and come to you and that dog.  I wouldn't stop looking for now.  Also, tell the people that own that place that if they see him to try and catch him, carefully and humanely, for you and give them your number so they can call you.  I really hope you find him!!

ADD: I hate to say it, but maybe one of the other people that go there took him?

Answer 8

don't stop until you find your dog!

Answer 9

I'm sorry, I know this is going to sound really harsh.  But how stupid can you be to drop your dogs off in the woods for 6 hours and expect not to loose them?  If your female takes off and doesn't come back then she should not be off leash.  And you should never ever leave a dog unattended in a game preserve for any length of time, let alone all day.

Keep looking until you find him or his body.  It takes about 4 days to die from dehydration if he can not find any sources of water, but most dogs are smart enough to l**k the dew from the ground and if it's raining at night there will be puddles for him to drink out of.  It takes several weeks to die from starvation.

Posting a lost dog notice with a description and picture of your dog at all entrances to this preserve and along roads/streets surrounding it with an advertised reward is also a good idea.  That way, if someone else finds your dog and is able to get a hold of him they can call you and let you know that they have him.

Answer 10

I love the fact that you are so concerned. Maybe put the other two hounds on leashes, take them with you and maybe from there experience with each other, they may be able to track the other dog, or if the other dogs start barking, it will bring the other dog out of hiding. You might also try posting signs around the camp to let other people know that the hound belongs so somebody and is looking for them, that would keep everyone informed. A family and friend search party wouldn't be a bad idea either. I really hope you find him and good luck! Bless you.