Navy Seal Checklist To Finding Missing Pets

Losing your dog is the moment we all fear. That traumatizing moment which can paralyze your decision making can be avoided completely with a few simple steps. You never know when your pet may slip out the door or out of the yard, but you can be prepared. No matter where you go in life, a game plan for the worst can prove to save lives. Its imperative to act quickly with a checklist plan and a clear head to maximize results. The checklist plan is exactly what United States Navy Seals use to prepare for any situation if the mission goes sour. Before we go over what to do in case your beloved pet runs away, lets go over how to avoid it in the first place.

Training Goes A Long Way

The biggest mistake all dog owners make is overlooking the importance of training. Dogs are loyal pack animals that seek a leader. The situation can quickly go from bad to worse when the dog decides to run off into the woods without knowing its own name. You’ll find yourself driving around town, calling out the puppy’s name in hopes he’ll will run out of an alley, but in reality the dog was never trained to know. We see it every day at the local dog park. It’s time to leave, the owner yells “Come Max!” and it’s like the dog was deaf. It’s imperative that dogs respect us and our commands to ensure successful rescue operation.

What To Train Your Dog

• Name – Start your first session when you have your dog’s attention. With some dog treats on hand, say your dog’s name and then using an indicator (a word like “yes”), immediately give the dog a treat. Wait a few seconds and then repeat. Do this for five minutes several times a day.
• Come Here – If you find your pet out in the wild, he or she might keep running like it a game. Teach your dog the “come” command because you will not be able to outrun four legs. To start, you need a friend, lots of high-value treats, and a tug toy. Sit on the floor in a distraction-free area about 10 feet away from your helper. One person lightly restrains the puppy and one says the puppy’s name excitedly. When they begin to come your way, say the magic word and reward.
• Boundaries – This one will keep the dog from running away.  Create boundaries around the home to instill respect and your boss status. If you have a yard, be sure the dog knows to never dig holes. Many owners find themselves returning to the residence with a missing dog and a giant hole by the fence. Boundaries will teach the dog to respect you, knowing that it's bad news to run away.
• Control The Food – Dogs rely on us to feed them because let be honest.. they have no thumbs. Unfortunately, most dog owners will leave a bowl full of food and leave it there unattended for the dog to chow on. If the dog understands that you are the only source of food, they will never run off. Stick to a consistent feeding schedule and make them wait for permission to eat.

Boredom Breeds Creativity 

If someone locked you in a confined space for 20+ hours/day, chances are you’d get creative to spice up the day. Believe it or not, dogs get just as bored as humans. Many of us have busy schedules and don't realize that dogs are domesticated wild animals. They need to stretch their legs and socialize with other dogs. It's imperative that the family forges an exercise plan with lots of attention. Spend lots of time playing with the animal, further creating a deeper bond. Keeping a dog busy for just a couple of hours of the day will not only satisfy their primal needs but save your furniture from a teething assault.

Ways of Keeping The Dog Busy

• Dog Parks – With an increasing amount of dog parks around the country, its now easier than ever to socialize your dog and give them that much needed exercise. You’ll get to learn from seasoned dog owners, watch your pet run around with new friends, and all you have to do is sit back and relax.
• Mental Games – Interactive brain games not only tire out your energetic dog, but they also defeat boredom, increase your dog’s confidence, and strengthen the bond between the two of you as you work together as a team. Treasure hunt, hide and go seek, and regular training are great ways of getting them thinking.
• Puzzles – Get one of those hollow toys and stick peanut butter inside. Freeze it and watch them try to get the treat out for hours. You can also freeze are treat inside a block of ice.
• Long Walks – Long walks are a powerful bonding experience. Be sure to select different routes so the dog has new smells and areas to discover. This will make it easier for them to find the way back in case of an emergency.

Keep Your Information Arsenal Full

Information is the key to success. When a vehicle is stolen, the officer will ask for simple information such as make, model, year, color, and license plate number. Snap as many high quality pictures of your four-legged companion as you can each month. Its imperative to have every possible angle and distinct features such as birth marks or patterns in the fur. Quality breeders actually tattoo their pups for identity reasons. Furthermore, gather a list of local shelters and veterinarian clinics within a 10 mile radius. In case of an emergency, you will be locked a loaded to call every shelter and vet in the area without researching. Develop an understanding of what the dog actually likes so you can focus the search toward those areas.  Keep a detailed file of the dogs health to inform others about possible complications such as allergies.

Important Gear For The Dog

Pet ID tags and collars are overlooked items that can make or break a rescue operation. If you tend to move regularly, it’s imperative to invest in new ID tags to ensure phone numbers and addresses are current. Thousands of dog owners around the country purchase inexpensive gear for their pets that store limited information and worst of all, fade over time. If the information on the tag is faded or not current, the chances of reuniting with your pet are slim.

Gear To Ensure Your Pet Is Safe  

• Dog ID Tags – Dog tags are extremely important because they are the first thing a person will glance at to find you. The tag should fit at least four lines of text on the back. This allows you to add all your pet’s information in one place, thus making it easier for the finder of your lost pet to contact you. Be sure to buy quality tags that are made with durable materials with non-fade print.
• Microchip – A pet microchip is the size of a grain of rice that goes beneath your pet’s skin. Microchips carry a unique identification number. If your pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, your pet will be scanned for a microchip to reveal his unique ID number.
• GPS Collars – Cutting edge technology that allows you to pinpoint your pets location in real time. You can see a history of locations reported by the device to see every place your pet went while you were away. Eliminates dog theft.

The Checklist Plan

Now that the dog is equipped with proper gear and information, you will need a plan of attack to maximize results. In the unlikely event of missing a pet, countless owners find themselves scrambling in panic burning precious time. A former Navy SEAL officer reveals the 11-point checklist he used to prepare for combat. It’s important to thoroughly go through the list you’ve created with swift execution. We’ve created a checklist that you can edit depending on the geographical area and other variables. 

The Checklist Is Key

1. Get The Word Out – Social media is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. Complete strangers in the area can share the post increasing the amount of people on the lookout. Simple Facebook post can be seen by thousands in just a couple of hours by people in the surrounding towns. Call the police and ask for assistance, they patrol town all day.
2. Search The Neighborhood – Enlist friends and family and spread out. Get on foot and call for your dog. Be sure to be loud and search all alleys. If you are calling from your car, drive slowly, roll down all the windows, stop and turn your vehicle off frequently to listen. Check with neighbors for intel.
3. Man The Phones – Call every pound, vet clinic, and shelter in the area. Give them a detailed description of the animal and contact information. This will keep them on the lookout and inform you right away if the dog comes in.
4. Create “Lost Dog” Posters – You’ll want to create a flyer that will stand out and get noticed by people. Posting "Lost Dog" posters of your dog increases the chances of his return by over 200%. Use color and high quality pictures with all the information about the dog. Post in highly populated areas like stores, bus stops, parks, and work your way around town. Visit the local office store to get thousands of high quality copies for just a few bucks. Post a lucrative reward for the finder even if you can’t afford it. Give them incentive to look.
5. Repeat – Aggressively repeat the steps above. Utilize social media to gather more information, again call police and facilities for updates. After you covered the entire town in posters, move to the next town.
6. Develop Understanding – At this point you probably feel depressed and discouraged to keep fighting. Never quit and understand that you may have passed your dog when it was sleeping in someone’s yard or he or she was taken inside of a home. Someone may have adopted your dog without realizing its missing.

Conclusion:

Loss of a pet can be daunting and terrifying experience, and it can happen to anyone. While it is a stressful situation, it’s imperative to stay calm and utilize available resources. The easiest way of avoiding the situation is to develop a powerful bond with the animal, implement strong training regiments, and make them feel like the guardian of the home. Dogs and cats often wander far away, and do things you wouldn’t predict they would do. Try everything, look everywhere, tell everyone. You’d be surprised how many people will be supportive, will get out and help you look, will offer words of encouragement and hope. Invest a few more bucks in ID tags, collars, and microchips to save yourself from years of regret and emotional pain. Stay motivated and proactive. You will be reunited soon.

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