How Far Can a Dog Run Into The Woods?

One of the biggest dilemmas a pet owner may face is a lost dog. Canines can cover a long distance, so it can be challenging to find them. But how far can a dog run into the woods? Unlike roads and other open spaces, dogs will only run halfway in the woods. Most of the time, your dog is going in and going out repeatedly. The woods are also a scary place for most canines, so the doggo will not dare run too far. Please read here: How Fast Can a Dog Run

In this post, I will share my personal experience as well as tips to get your dog back after it gets lost in the woods.

How far can a dog run into the woods?

The distance a dog can travel inside the woods varies based on different factors.

The dog’s breed is a primary determinant since it will dictate the canine’s agility, personality, and running endurance. For example, a Greyhound can go farther into the woods compared to a Golden Retriever.

Still, the breed isn’t an absolute reference. We also have to factor in how brave your dog is. Most canines will not go further into the woods. The unfamiliar scents, sounds, and surroundings are enough to scare a dog. Most of the time, a scared doggo will seek shelter in a bush or any cramped space to hide from potential predators.

There’s really no telling how far a dog can go into the woods in terms of miles. Still, animal behaviorists say that most dogs will only cover half the distance inside the woods. Since the pooch doesn’t know the place, it’s most likely getting in and out half the time.

This is what happened to us when Sherlock decided to take a run into the forest. We are camping, and before we know it, Sherlock is a few meters into the woods. He appeared to be chasing a squirrel, so he didn’t respond when we called him.

We spent half the day looking for our dog. The good thing is that a hiker found him under a thick bush, almost halfway from his entry point.

However, this will not be the case for all runaways. Dogs that are born runners (Huskies, Greyhounds, Beagles) can run up to 9 miles a day. This will make it difficult for the dog to hear your voice and pick up your scent.

Why do dogs run into forests?

If the woods are a scary place for dogs, why do they run into it in the first place? Dogs are unique beings, so there are many reasons why they may get attracted to the forest. The following are the most common reasons:

• Other animals. This is probably one of the most common reasons why dogs go into the woods. It can be a running squirrel, raccoon, or rabbit. And if your dog has a strong prey drive, it will not listen to your calls. It will lock its eyes on the target and follow it to its hearts’ content. Before your dog knows it, he’s already lost in the middle of the woods.
• Wanderlust. Some dogs that run away often end up getting lost in the nearby woods. Your dog might be missing you, so it ran away to follow you outdoors. But since the pooch doesn’t know where you are, its feet may bring it to the woods.

How to find a dog lost in the forest?

The fact that your dog is lost in the forest is daunting. You never know what’s in there that might hurt your scared pooch. Still, you shouldn’t just sulk in the corner. There’s a lot of work to be done as soon as possible. The following are some of the things you need to do:

Call the vets and shelters

Whenever a stray or lost dog is found, the person who finds it will either bring it to the vet or a local shelter. This is regardless of whether your dog is missing for a day or an hour. You will be informed if local vet clinics and shelters receive a dog matching your description. 

Start the search

While looking for your dog, carry some food, toys, and other things your dog is fond of. This will help lure a scared dog. Also, your dog may pick up the scent from afar and run towards it.

Be calm

This applies during the search, and once you find your dog. Take note that a lost dog will be scared and aloof of people, even its owners. Keep your distance and try luring the dog with food and toys. You should stop walking towards the dog if it seems to be ready to run further. Wait and let the dog approach you when it’s ready. Hook the leash to the dog’s collar as soon as it approaches you.

Put up posters

If you failed to find your dog within the day, start putting up posters. It should contain a clear picture of your dog, a specific description, and your contact number.

Leave your scent

If you don’t find your dog right away, put up stations surrounding the woods. You should place some of your dog’s items as well as anything that may bear your smell. The next day, check these stations since your pooch will likely track any of them and stay there for comfort.

Cook up some yummy food

This is a trick a local told us in the campground where Sherlock got lost. Any smelly food like steak or fish is an excellent option. Let the smell waft while you call your dog’s name. However, you should be careful of the wildlife that your food might attract. Another problem is that dog food can go bad in heat.

Check on water sources

Scouring the entire forest isn’t always a practical option. After a long run, your dog will become tired and thirsty, so you should check on water sources. Dogs will also look for shelter, thick and low bushes offer a sense of safety

 

Tips to prevent your dog from getting lost

As much as we try to keep our dogs safe, the pooch may get lost in the woods. To prevent this from happening, you should keep the following points in mind:

• Never let it roam free. If you’re camping near the woods, never trust your dog to roam around on its own. This is exactly what we learned from our experience with Sherlock. Keep your dog leashed, and if you want to let the pooch have some fun, put a GPS collar on it. This way, you can track the canine if it gets lost in the woods. 
• Obedience training is important. Basic commands like ‘Come’ and ‘Stay’ are lifesavers in this case. It will help stop your dog from getting too far into the woods.
• Get the dog fixed. Sexually active dogs are more likely to wander off in search of a mate. This might bring them into the woods where they will get lost. Spaying or neutering your pet will help reduce its likelihood of running into the woods or getting lost in general.
• Your fence isn’t enough. Dogs are intelligent animals. They can easily find a way to hop through a physical fence. You should never leave your dog in the yard if it has a record of running away. 
• Microchipping is a must. All dogs and cats must be microchipped so that they can be identified properly. Otherwise, the pooch might be mistaken for a stray. With a microchip, it will be easier for other people to reach you so you can reunite with your dog.

Conclusion

How far can a dog run into the woods? It varies widely, but one sure thing is that your dog will be exposed to various dangers in the forest. Pet dogs are scared of the woods and they will naturally try to return but most of the time they can’t because they don’t know the path back to you. 

If your dog gets lost, don’t panic and stay calm. Use available resources to get the message to as many people and relevant authorities as possible. You should tap the help of friends, families, and local authorities for faster tracking of your lost dog.

I hope this article will help you keep your dog safe and prevent such problems. If your dog runs away, the information in this article can help you find it. 

Thank you for reading!