How to approach a wandering dog?

[irotas]

I live in a high-traffic suburban area with strict leash laws. However, every once in a while we'll spot a loose dog running around the neighborhood without any owner in sight. It appears that people trust dogs to stay in their unfenced backyard while the family is indoors. Wrong!

Anyway, when I see these dogs, my first instinct is to check its collar for any identification, hopefully a phone number. A few times I've even recognized the dog and know it to be friendly. However, a couple months I approached a familiar dog (using "proper" etiquette), but even though the dog was previously friendly when he was with his owner, he snapped at me when I approached him when he was alone.

Fortunately I had a bag of treats on me and was able to feed him into submission long enough to check his tags. But I'll admit that I was nervous to touch his neck, because I didn't know if he'd lunge or not. Fortunately, he didn't.

I'm sure people around here have had similar encounters. Do you even both checking tags, or do you call animal control immediately?

 

[PWCorgi]

I check tags and hope they have one made by the owner, I hate calling my local courthouse to get the owner's number (especially on Sunday when they aren't even open )

 

[noludoru]

Tags? What tags? None of the loose ones around here have tags. Or collars. Some people have enough $$$$$$$$ to raise a litter of puppies and not neuter their dogs, have an in ground pool and fence acres of their property... but gawd those collars are too **** expensive!

 

[bubbatd]

Many come up to me , but sadly too many don't . I've sat many times on the ground with treats , but they run off . When I see a stray with a collar and tags , I always take paper and pen for some info ....in case the pup won't let me take it in . If they run off , I check on line and for any posted signs around .

 

[Beanie]

I let them come to me... if they don't, I don't pursue them. The worst thing that could happen is they dart away from me and into traffic... =/ They might wander into traffic anyway, but I don't want to add to the stress and push them into it...

Usually the dogs that escape here are more than happy to come barreling up to me with this "OH GOD OH GOD A PERSON PLEASE SAVE ME!!" expression on their face, though. =P

 

[MoonStr80]

Same here. If I had a dog with me sometimes they're in a flight or fight mode Which makes the situation little diffuclt if I have a dog with... Usually if the dog has a tag I'll let the owner know & most of the cases they don't appreciate it & usually are back out in the streets again! It's a **** shame, I return with a paper & pad writing down the street and house addy and flicking my fingers on the phone I go!

I let them come to me... if they don't, I don't pursue them. The worst thing that could happen is they dart away from me and into traffic... =/ They might wander into traffic anyway, but I don't want to add to the stress and push them into it...

Usually the dogs that escape here are more than happy to come barreling up to me with this "OH GOD OH GOD A PERSON PLEASE SAVE ME!!" expression on their face, though. =P

 

[bubbatd]

One time I called a number on the tag and no answer . Had an address , so went there and knocked on their neighbor's door . Said that they were gone for the weekend and he must have escaped his pen . Sure enough .... a hole dug . I repaired the best I could and left a note and my # . Never heard anything !

 

[Charliesmommy]

I don't approach stray/loose dogs regardless of how friendly they seem. I have had one too many clients attacked doing such things.

If they come to me, tail wagging, etc I will check for a tag and phone number but other than that, no way.

 

[Maxy24]

I always kneel down and say something to the affect of "come here boy/girl" or "hi puppy!" in a high voice and hope they come over. I check the tags and if I know the street I walk him there (I use Max's old leash or Phoebe's) if not I call the number on the tag. There has only been one dog that scared be a bit. He was a husky with a broken in half long line attached to him. He was running and I called to him but he looked over for a second and kept going. ON his way back I walked a step towards him but he crouched, tucked his tail and flattened his ears and curved away from me so I let him be. I didn't want to go for a fearful dog. I always feel bad when I can't get them

 

[Paige]

If the dog doesn't approach me in a friendly manner I go up to the closest house and knock on the door. Normally the dog either belongs to them or the dog gets out all the time and they know who it belongs to. If I can find out where the owner lives I let them know there dog is out. If they aren't I call the SPCA to come pick the dog up.

 

[yoko]

i usually use treats. there were a bunch of shepherd mixes up by my old work. and i'd feed them and i got a few of t hem homes. i've never seen any with tags though