My dog ran away: what to do right now (and how to stop it happening again)

A garden gate left ajar, a gate the delivery driver didn't close, a wall that's a little too low, a rooftop terrace with no railing… In Tunisia, running away is the number one reason dogs go missing. The good news: a runaway dog is often found quickly, as long as you act in the right order.

In the first 15 minutes

1. Stay calm and split the roles

A dog that has run off is usually not far away: they're following a scent, a female in heat, a cat, or they got scared. If there are several of you:

• one person stays at home, gate open, with their bowl and a treat: many dogs come back on their own
• the others set off on foot in different directions

2. Call them without shouting

Use their name and the word you use for walks or mealtime, in a happy voice. A dog being chased by someone yelling thinks it's either a game or a punishment — either way, they move further away.

3. Don't run after them

If you spot them, stop, crouch down and turn slightly side-on. Shake the bag of kibble. A dog comes back far more willingly to someone moving away than to someone charging towards them.

In the first hour

• Drive slowly around the neighbourhood with the window down, calling them at every stop.
• Tell the neighbours: the building caretaker, the corner shop, the café, the children playing outside. They're often the ones who saw your dog go by.
• Check the usual traps: building sites, vacant lots, open garages, under cars, nearby wadis (oueds) and embankments.
• Think about the neighbourhood's stray dogs: a pet dog that runs into a pack can flee a long way or get bitten. Ask residents whether they heard barking or a fight.

After an hour: switch to "lost dog" mode

If your dog hasn't come home, follow our complete guide Lost dog in Tunisia: the steps for the first 24 hours. In short:

• post their photo in the lost-pet Facebook groups for your city and your governorate
• call the vet clinics nearby
• check with your municipality's hygiene department (service d'hygiène)
• print posters with a big photo and your number in very large type

If your dog wears a Homy tag, switch them to lost mode in your account: the page that opens when someone scans their tag then shows that they're being looked for, your numbers are displayed, and whoever finds them can call you in one tap.

Why dogs run away

Understanding the cause is how you stop it happening again. The most common ones:

• boredom: a dog left alone all day on a terrace goes looking for action elsewhere
• hormones: an unneutered male can smell a female in heat hundreds of metres away
• fear: wedding firecrackers, thunderstorms, fireworks
• hunting instinct: cats, birds, stray dogs to follow
• a new environment: moving house, holidays, staying with a relative

We go through each of these causes in detail in Why does my dog run away?.

Securing your home after an escape

• The wall and the gate: raise the low spots, block the gaps under the gate (small dogs can get through 15 cm), and add an automatic closing spring.
• The terrace or roof (stah): a solid parapet or sturdy wire mesh; never leave a dog alone up high.
• Visitors and deliveries: put your dog in a closed room when workers or guests are coming and going.
• Walks: a well-fitted harness rather than a loose collar, and a leash until their recall is reliable.

The best insurance: making sure people can reach you

In most escapes, someone eventually crosses paths with your dog. What makes the difference is knowing within seconds who they belong to. A tag with a QR code, like Homy, lets anyone see your dog's name and alert you from their phone, no app needed. When your dog is reported lost, your numbers are displayed so people can call you directly, and you receive an email with the location as soon as someone scans their tag.

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Key takeaway: one person at home, the others outside, call without shouting, and don't chase. If an hour goes by, launch the full search straight away.