Sightings are important because they give the family hope to continue searching for their dog, and also help them narrow down an area to focus their search efforts. Equally important, it give them hope knowing their pet is still alive, so they continue their search and don't give up! The Pet FBI site will bring up lost pets with similar descriptions who have been lost in the area. How cool is that? By reporting a sighting into the database you may be the key to a lost dog being reunited with their family! Thank you for helping!
Should you see the dog again, sit down and don't make any eye contact with the him. Move slowly. Gently toss tiny pieces of really good-smelling food in his direction. Make each toss a little closer to you. Use the tiniest of pieces so he doesn't fill up and is no longer motivated by your offerings. IF you talk at all, use a quite, soft voice to try to lure a shy dog to you. You are not pursuing him, you are getting him to WANT to come to you - on his own. One of the biggest threats to a lost dog is being chased or called, often by a well-meaning person causing him to run into traffic where they may be injured or killed, or farther from home - into unfamiliar territory, where his family is less likely to be looking for him. Never call after or chase a lost dog! Take a photo if possible to use for a sighting report if the dog doesn't come to you.
Should you see the dog again, sit down and don't make any eye contact with the him. Move slowly. Gently toss tiny pieces of really good-smelling food in his direction. Make each toss a little closer to you. Use the tiniest of pieces so he doesn't fill up and is no longer motivated by your offerings. IF you talk at all, use a quite, soft voice to try to lure a shy dog to you. You are not pursuing him, you are getting him to WANT to come to you - on his own. One of the biggest threats to a lost dog is being chased or called, often by a well-meaning person causing him to run into traffic where they may be injured or killed, or farther from home - into unfamiliar territory, where his family is less likely to be looking for him. Never call after or chase a lost dog! Take a photo if possible to use for a sighting report if the dog doesn't come to you.