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Frustrated Owners Share Stories About How Hard It Is To Catch A Dog Once It Runs Away (30 Pics)
If you have a dog, you know what it means to chase after them in the streets while your heart is skipping beats like it was an R&B song. Sometimes, all it takes to unleash your dog’s hyperactive double is a lone duck by the pond, sometimes it’s the neighbor dog, but most often, it’s your dog playing the game of their life. That game is called “catch me if you can.”
So when Brian, who goes by the Twitter handle @itsbriancuh, tweeted: “eff a break up, have y’all ever had to chase your dog down the street and they’re thinking it’s a game,” the tweet blew up on social media with 969.8k likes and 156k retweets, and it seemed that dog owners have totally found a safe space to talk about hard things.
Let’s see some of the best tweets about what it is like to chase those clueless and totally reckless four-legged creatures who care about nothing but trolling you. So get your sneakers ready, someone's gonna run far and scream hard, and it’s not gonna be me, since I'm not yet a dog owner.
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#1
Lynn Donovan 4 years ago
It happened to me too, but I was the one in the car. I saw a woman running in the middle of the street after her dog, crying her eyes out. I made a U-turn, I passed her and the dog, stopped the car and went out with my arms opened and a big smile on my face. The dog went straight to me. I drove the woman and her dog home. She thanked me profusely. I felt like a hero. It was a good day :)
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Huskies in my area of So. Cal. seem to be the biggest escape artists.
RELATED:
#2
Kookamunga 4 years ago
We have had many runaway dogs in my family thru the years. The trick: 1. Remain calm, do not panic and/or chase the dog 2. Run in the house, get a piece of meat/cheese or other yummy 3. Sit or stand nearby, get dog's attention, eat food. They usually come on back and you grab em. This has worked for us for years, usually our dogs don't go too far, they are busy sniffing the neighbor's yards, etc. Obviously won't work if he takes off and runs to a different city.
Lunar Bicycle 4 years ago
This can be really effective. Fall on the ground, be dramatic, show your worry and pain. They’re more likely to want to come back to you. If they run because they’re spooked, they’re not thinking at all, and anyone, even their beloved person, chasing them may only add to their fear. If they run because they’re playing, then they might just think you’re playing when you chase them. But if their “mom” or “dad” or “pack mate” is in distress, that might get their attention.
Chrissy Neibarger 4 years ago
That's how I caught my pup! I learned that if I sat or laid down on the lawn, he'd have to come and see what I was doing.
Bored Panda reached out to Brian, the author of this viral Twitter thread, who said that the idea for a tweet came as his sister’s dog got out one day. “I had to chase it, but it thought I was playing a game and would just run away from me. Instead of coming back home with me,” he recalled.
It seems like the fact Brian’s tweet blew up on social media has a lot to do with how relatable his experience of chasing after a dog really is. “I think anyone with a pet dog understands what it feels like, because dogs love to play around and sometimes they’ll run away to explore when you leave the house door open,” he said.
#3
Katinka Min 4 years ago
Not quite. It's more like a game of 'Hey, run WITH me!'
Load More Replies... Katy McMouse 4 years ago
That always worked for my dogs, except for one named Henry. Henry was a maniac. Henry went through EVERY screen window on our ground floor, just to get more fresh air than he was already getting through the screen. God, I (mostly) miss Henry.
Katinka Min 4 years ago
that#S how I did it when my pooch was little. Man, so many years ago. If I ever get another puppy, I'll have to relearn everythign cause i've totally forgotten how the hell I trained my dog to come when I call. I just know it took forever.
And although we are pretty sure that no dog wishes to give his owner a heart attack, as all they wanna do is have some cardio fun running errands, it doesn’t mean it’s not stressful to humans.
Brian believes such canine behavior is “to release energy and to explore the outside world or to mark their territory.” “Yet,” he added, “I honestly don't know exactly why they run away from the owners that care for them, it’s odd.”
“I was honestly surprised when I saw it went viral, but I guess a lot of other dog owners were able to relate to the tweet,” Brian commented on his tweet amassing 156K retweets, 24K quote tweets, and 969.8K likes.
#5
Biana Vacker 4 years ago
My dog does this! She will disappear at night when I take her out, I get frantic and look for her, and then she's just waiting at the front door.
VolkswagenPanda 4 years ago
Biana, I didn't know you had a dog! I thought you would have something sparkly...
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Sathe Wesker 4 years ago
Bruh, this happened to my dad so many times since he walked the dog with no leash and the damn creature was scared of loud bangs so he'd just take off. Only to find him sitting at the front door.
#6
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
In my experience, they (unless they are complete doofuses) learn this trick real quick and you'll be lucky to snag them more than once or twice.
#7
Louloubelle 4 years ago
My dog got hit by a car (he was fine). Took him to the vet and while discussing the situation with the vet I make the comment that he'll never do that again. The vet just looked at me and said, yes, yes he will. Dogs don't learn. But cats, cats get it. If they survive being hit by a car they learn to avoid them. Just my vet's opinion, I guess.
#8
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
"When they run past you grab them...." Obviously the author has super-human abilities. Has anyone ever been able to simply "grab" an out-of-control rocket? That's almost like reaching out and grabbing the bumper of the bus you just missed (after it's pulled away and up to speed).
Louloubelle 4 years ago
They actually taught us this in my dog's puppy obedience class. They called it "chase me". The trainer said the key was to use a fun, excited voice, yell chase me and run away from them. But even the trainer said it doesn't always work. But it almost always works better than chasing them.
Arran Walker 4 years ago (edited)
My 40lb lab mix ran out of the car at a gas station when I opened up the door to fill up. His leash was in the car. He runs into the traffic, and I’m chasing behind with his leash. Someone stops their car as he’s become really confused and was running in tight circles, and I got him to come back to me. Because I stopped chasing at the edge of the street and just called him, it was enough to confuse him and make him come back! And I hugged him for coming back. The drivers just all looked pissed off. Like shouldn’t be allowed to own a dog. That was years ago. He’s ten now. He’s still not too bright, though. He also did something similar running out of the house of a family that was sitting him. He did the same thing: spun around in circles in front of a car that stopped. 🤷🏻♀️
#9
4 years ago
They're all innocent until they take off sprinting out the front door.
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Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
"My, what big EARS... 'um FEET... 'um SENSE OF HUMOR you have!"
#10
hey, not my problem 4 years ago
WOW. Did you just say what l think you said. lf so, that puppy just survived a blow by a FU**ING ARMY TROOP TRANSPORTER!!!
Ask a dog owner what they do if they see their four-legged friend running a sprint like nothing else exists. The chances are they’ll tell you they’d chase them without a second thought. But suddenly your good boy and bestest gurl don’t know their names, and frankly, they totally ignore you running and shouting from the bottom of your lungs.
For them, it’s a simple game; for you, it’s sheer hell, a cardio exercise you never asked for. But there are some things you should do to avoid your dog going out of their mind.
First, always have some treats at hand. Whatever happens, those odd-smelling bites taste like heaven to your dog, and they can be the ones that lead your way to sanity.
#11
Tiger Pearl 4 years ago (edited)
He does look like a pup down for some fun times, lol “Let’s get this party started, hoomans!”
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#15
Chelle Jones 4 years ago
And I want a TBone and a ball and I paw-mise Santa I have been good girl!
Second, get creative. If your dog’s running away from you as you try to approach them, try and run away from them. Turning the tables may spark an inner curiosity in your canine, and sooner than you know it, they’ll come straight at you.
#16
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago (edited)
That's as bad as finding our dog sitting between two officers on the steps into the MP Station on base...
#17
Jasmine Hufflepuff Henderson 4 years ago
Chinese Crested that's how they naturally look
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Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
I am sad (through my chuckles I must admit) that a fur-mommy would post the worst pic possible. Doggos don't know humility.
Jasmine Hufflepuff Henderson 4 years ago
That's not a hair cut. Chinese Crested dogs naturally look like that.
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Jasmine Hufflepuff Henderson 4 years ago
It's a Chinese Crested mixed with Yorkie it says so on the original post. Chinese Crested Yorkies still typically look like this.
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Leslie Burleson 4 years ago
I nannied for a couple and their chocolate lab did this to me in the middle of a busy road. I was furious by the time I caught her
#20
Cam Sanders 4 years ago
He'd need a jet pack. Of course the no thumbs thing would be an issue.
Arran Walker 4 years ago (edited)
My sister’s former dog, a lab/pit mix, broke through windows of an apartment twice just because of a cat or squirrel she saw outside. Bled all over the place but didn’t even act like she was hurt until we were trying to look at her paw. Both times! Had to have stitches. I think a dewclaw nearly ripped off that second time, and they removed it.
And last, try out opening the simple yet super-effective ‘car door’ maneuver. Your dog will instantly associate the door as an invitation for a ride, and nobody likes being left out. This, of course, only applies to canines who already are familiar with car rides and know what kind of fun to expect.
#21
PikachuFan7 4 years ago
My great grandparents had a dog name Bacall. She was an escape artist and got hit by a cars 3 time but thankfully didn't get seriously hurt any of those times.
Mike Rodrick 4 years ago
You cut its head off for running from you? Maybe that's why he ran away?
#22
Mishte Tine 4 years ago
There is no post that involves dogs that I can’t, don’t or won’t not upvote. Lovies.
#24
CincyReds 4 years ago
I nicknamed my Husky Shepherd Houdini, she could g et out of anything! Her name was Cruiser, and boy did she like cruising. Was watching my brother in law's dog one weekend, they both got out of the yard, out looking for them, they both come running up the street, like gangsters... never forget it was to curt
#25
#26
ALONA BERGERON 4 years ago
get someone who is really fat to chase the dog the dog will then be distracted at how a person is catching up with them then they will flip over and it will be as funny as everything no harm will come to the dog
Quiltin Mammar 4 years ago
He looks like he'd turn around and stick his tongue out at you too LoL
Kathleen Moore 4 years ago
I have a Shiba rescue. She tried to run away every damn time the front door opened. It took a couple of YEARS before she stopped....finally realized that this was home now. I was 70 years old the last time I had to chase her down the road. Damn near killed me. She was too fast to be caught.
#27
Tiger Pearl 4 years ago (edited)
She said a creek. Creeks are small and can be super shallow, and sometimes stay mostly dry until it rains again.
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Phoenix 4 years ago
There’s this one dog in our neighborhood that is Houdini reborn. At least every month he’ll find a way out into the road. Of course he knows not to get in front of cars, and he will bounce away from everyone like it’s a game of tag. The only way to get him to approach you is to have him chase you. So whenever he gets out whoever spits him shut gets him interested then takes him to his house.
#28
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
That's not CUTE... That is DAMN GORGEOUS!!
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#29
Pasion Jones 4 years ago
that baby said he got ish to do!!!! cant be waiting on humans lol.... so sweet looking
#30
#33
Anime SImp 4 years ago
she looks like a cow but as a dog , does that make sense , i will go now
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#39
Tiger Pearl 4 years ago
Guilty “I promise I won’t ever do that again!” face. Works EVERY time.
#40
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#44
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago (edited)
So elegant. She belongs on the runway, not being a runaway.
#45
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#51
Celena Camps 4 years ago
Our lovely puppy Shadow has brought me to tears several times over this problem. And she can run fast and far. I remember lying on our front lawn crying in frustration (I have a masters of Sw) thinking that I can handle people but not this innocent girl. The first time she got away she was caught by FEtCH .. a local organization that finds run away dogs in our city. She had run off to a neighbours who was having a barbecue. She was so cute they fed her. Then the fetch people thought she was so cute they were going to let her stay the night . I was pissedddddd. Now she is 4 and just plays the run away game on our front yard.
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What do you think ?
Tiger Pearl 4 years ago (edited)
As a teen, I had two dogs that were husky,shepherd, and a smidge wolf. They didn’t show the wolf behaviorally much, but my white one, Tala, looked the part. She was also an escape artist and we found ourselves chasing her often. One time we had just came home and saw her run across the driveway and I chased her into the woods a bit, but no luck. So I went home knowing she’d find her way back, only to find that she was in the house... I had been chasing an actual wolf in the woods. 🤦♀️
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Whoa. yeah. We had huskies, and they were very bright/cunning, but they were also not to be mistaken for wolves... Wolves aren't pets. Nope nope nope.
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Signe Manat Hansen 4 years ago
Train your damn dog. And if your dog keeps getting out of the house, maybe handle that s hit instead.
Potato 4 years ago
A lot of it is energy level too. RUN your damn dog. Play with them.
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Susan 4 years ago
In my long life I've noticed that many people don't love and guide their children enough, and don't love and train their dogs enough. You need to train your dogs, (if they require it), for many reasons. First, for their own protection, second for your peace of mind and convenience, and third, to not annoy other people. Some dogs need almost no training. They intuitively know what you want of them, and will obey verbal and even non-verbal commands. Other dogs will require a great deal of training. I think it's because they either don't understand what you're asking of them, or because they don't care about pleasing you. I think dogs that run away mostly, if not always, fall into the last category.
Laura Catania 4 years ago
I have to humble-brag how I inadvertently stopped a runaway puppy. I actually hadn't realized the dog had slipped his/her leash when I was waiting at a corner in NYC to cross the street. All I did was say "Aren't you the cutest thing" So the pup sat down, wagging it's tail like "Yes I am" so the elderly owner caught up and scooped him up. He thanked me profusely
David Retsler 4 years ago
Simple solution. Call them to get their attention. Pick up a toy and wave it. Then run away from them. Then they will chase you. Let them catch you and voila! You caught your dog without all the drama.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Dogs are only as well-trained as their humans train them to be ----- and even the best-trained will misbehave. That's why leash laws exist. So if Fido takes off... he can't take off. I've been hit by a pit bull that is always left off leash, and the dog is just being a dog, but the human is being an idiot, IMHO.
California Jones 4 years ago
Neither of my dogs have ever been runners. The first one was old and had lives with my dad her whole life. The second knew what it was like to be alone on the streets and is never going back.
jenjie.newt 4 years ago
I had a beagle who used to dig free under the fence. All we had to do was jangle her leash and shout "want to go for a walk?"
Tiger Pearl 4 years ago (edited)
As a teen, I had two dogs that were husky,shepherd, and a smidge wolf. They didn’t show the wolf behaviorally much, but my white one, Tala, looked the part. She was also an escape artist and we found ourselves chasing her often. One time we had just came home and saw her run across the driveway and I chased her into the woods a bit, but no luck. So I went home knowing she’d find her way back, only to find that she was in the house... I had been chasing an actual wolf in the woods. 🤦♀️
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Whoa. yeah. We had huskies, and they were very bright/cunning, but they were also not to be mistaken for wolves... Wolves aren't pets. Nope nope nope.
Load More Replies... Signe Manat Hansen 4 years ago
Train your damn dog. And if your dog keeps getting out of the house, maybe handle that s hit instead.
Potato 4 years ago
A lot of it is energy level too. RUN your damn dog. Play with them.
Load More Replies... Susan 4 years ago
In my long life I've noticed that many people don't love and guide their children enough, and don't love and train their dogs enough. You need to train your dogs, (if they require it), for many reasons. First, for their own protection, second for your peace of mind and convenience, and third, to not annoy other people. Some dogs need almost no training. They intuitively know what you want of them, and will obey verbal and even non-verbal commands. Other dogs will require a great deal of training. I think it's because they either don't understand what you're asking of them, or because they don't care about pleasing you. I think dogs that run away mostly, if not always, fall into the last category.
Laura Catania 4 years ago
I have to humble-brag how I inadvertently stopped a runaway puppy. I actually hadn't realized the dog had slipped his/her leash when I was waiting at a corner in NYC to cross the street. All I did was say "Aren't you the cutest thing" So the pup sat down, wagging it's tail like "Yes I am" so the elderly owner caught up and scooped him up. He thanked me profusely
David Retsler 4 years ago
Simple solution. Call them to get their attention. Pick up a toy and wave it. Then run away from them. Then they will chase you. Let them catch you and voila! You caught your dog without all the drama.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Dogs are only as well-trained as their humans train them to be ----- and even the best-trained will misbehave. That's why leash laws exist. So if Fido takes off... he can't take off. I've been hit by a pit bull that is always left off leash, and the dog is just being a dog, but the human is being an idiot, IMHO.
California Jones 4 years ago
Neither of my dogs have ever been runners. The first one was old and had lives with my dad her whole life. The second knew what it was like to be alone on the streets and is never going back.
jenjie.newt 4 years ago
I had a beagle who used to dig free under the fence. All we had to do was jangle her leash and shout "want to go for a walk?"
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