Ways to wrangle this stray?

Miakoda

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#1
There's a stray Border Collie (Border Collie x ?) in the neighborhood where my oldest son's school is located. He's out in every type of weather condition, and I've talked to numerous neighbors who say he's a recent stray that's been hanging around. I've been trying to work up a little trust, and he'll now come up to me outside my vehicle, but he won't get close enough for me to loop a leash around him (I haven't tried yet, as I don't want to push him away). He's not aggressive, but seems skittish and scared (no signs of fear aggression, but just seems confused and scared). I'm guessing he was dumped in the woods that borders the neighborhood, as that's where he comes from and returns to. As it is, a nice neighbor has been feeding him, so he's actually not as skinny as he was. But she's older a d is hesitant to try and actually catch him.

I'm so used to picking up stray pit bulls off the road, and they have all happily jumped right into my vehicle or at least let me pick them up and put them in, that I'm at a loss on his to proceed with this fella.

It was raining buckets this day, so I stayed in the vehicle, but he has gotten to where he'll approach my vehicle. What's amazing is that he has to picks me out of quite a long carpool line. So he's no dummy!





I'm afraid it's going to come down to calling A.C., and I just hate for him to have to go there. But it beats getting shot or hit by a car.
 

milos_mommy

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#3
Hmmm.

At that point, I'd be less worried about grabbing him and having him becoming fearful of you or a bit traumatized than I would be about letting him run around loose.

But if your fear is that he'll bolt and you won't be able to grab him, and he ends up being more wary of strangers, that's pretty warranted.

I guess it depends on how close you can get. If you're at a point where you can pet him or hand feed him, it should be pretty safe to slip a leash on him. He might freak out, but at least he'll be safe.

If he's just barely approaching you...do you think maybe you can try to get him into someone's fenced yard or something first? And then catch him? Maybe the lady who is feeding him can get him into a yard, or on a porch and then you can throw a gate up and get him?
 

Lizmo

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#4
I would lure into your fence, if possible. I know this sounds strange, but does he like a ball/stick/toy? These dogs can have pretty high toy drive, so I'd also be trying that.

Have you actually tried getting close to him outside of your car?

TBH, I'd grab him quickly and smoothly, then worry about trust.
 

SaraB

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#5
Oh wow, poor guy. :(

Grab some hamburger or something awesome and see if he'll take it from your hand so you can loop a lead around.
 

MicksMom

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#7
Havahart traps can often be rented from
Humane societies as well...
That was going to be my suggestion as well. Rent/borrow a Havahart trap and set it up in the woods. I'd cover it with a blanket or something so it looks a little more "den like", too. Don't forget the really yummy bait! Maybe something he associates with you. Or maybe set the trap up in the yard of the person who is feeding him, and have her put his food in it.
 

misfitz

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#8
That was going to be my suggestion as well. Rent/borrow a Havahart trap and set it up in the woods. I'd cover it with a blanket or something so it looks a little more "den like", too. Don't forget the really yummy bait! Maybe something he associates with you. Or maybe set the trap up in the yard of the person who is feeding him, and have her put his food in it.
This. Here's a website with a lot of tips and strategies for trapping lost dogs:
http://www.lostdogsillinois.org/categories/shy-lost-dog-strategies/humane-trapping/

If he's staying in the same area, trapping is the way to go. Trying to chase/catch him is likely to scare him, and cause him to leave the area. If you can lure him into a fenced yard, it would be even easier. Good luck! Make sure to scan him for a microchip if you can catch him. :)
 

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