Maybe you left them alone for a long time and they are lonely. Or they may have lots of energy to use up because they don't have toys or other dogs to play with. Or maybe they are having more fun somewhere else. They could be going to a neighbor's house where there are other dogs or kids to play with.
A very common cause of dogs running away is boredom.
Very smart dog breeds are the most likely suspects! It starts out with them wanting to get to that squirrel over there. Or go down the road to make friends with the neighborhood kids.
If it is an outgoing dog, it will be looking for other dogs and for other humans who are friendly and likely to comfort, feed and shelter it. Neighbors' yards and public parks are spots it will like. If it is a shy or older pet and not trusting of strangers, it will hide. Bushes and under cars are good spots.
Statistics indicate that most lost pets are recovered within 30 days. But the time varies greatly depending on whether it is a cat or a dog. Most people will notice a stray dog and even try to help it.
Most dogs will run however far their legs will carry them. Dogs that are big and strong, especially if they are young, can run 5 miles or more, while most smaller dogs might be able to go half a mile at best.
The most common reasons why dogs run away are:
Fear or anxiety. Boredom. Prey drive. Mating instinct.
Even though your dog loves you, they may sometimes like to run away. Some dogs do it all the time. Others respond to certain triggers. Some are like magicians and seem to be able to get out of any fence.
Another study looked at how dogs behaved with people of varying levels of familiarity - their owner, a stranger and a familiar human - and found that dogs clearly miss their owners more than anyone else, and will wait behind the door they left through in anticipation of their return.
People are more likely to intervene because it's less common to see a roaming dog than to come across a community or outdoor cat. Lost Pet Research & Recovery indicates that 93% of lost dogs are found alive, and 20% of them return home on their own.
A new survey has revealed that Labrador Retrievers are the most likely dogs to run away, with Cocker Spaniels and Jack Russells also in the top three.
Whether you're going out for a day or just popping off to the toilet, it's more likely than not that your dog will look at you like you're leaving forever. Their eyes will widen, they will begin to whimper, and they appear to be thinking that that's it – they're alone forever.
Check with local neighborhood groups on Nextdoor or Facebook. Use your pet's photo to make “lost pet” signs. Put them up in your neighborhood and in post offices, libraries, pet supply stores, veterinary offices and grocery stores. Inform your veterinarian and groomer that your pet is lost in case they receive a call.
It's not unusual for dogs to grieve the loss of a person they've bonded with who is no longer present. While they might not understand the full extent of human absence, dogs do understand the emotional feeling of missing someone who's no longer a part of their daily lives.
The Root of the Behavior
The more common school of thought is that dogs are hiding instinctively to protect themselves, and the other theory is that dogs do not hide, rather they walk off somewhere and are too sick to return. Even though dogs are domesticated, they have the natural instincts to survive in the wild.
Dogs are well known for their ability to backtrack to a beloved home — or person. Most animal behavior experts attribute their navigating ability largely to a hypersensitive sense of smell.
The good news is, when a pet runs away, they seldom go very far – which makes it more likely to reunite with them. According to a 2012 study, 59% of lost cats and 20% of lost dogs return home on their own after being lost. But there are always additional steps you can take to help ensure a happy reunion.
How far a dog can travel in a day will depend on the age and breed of the dog. A small and active dog can travel for between 5 and 6 hours a day, which equals between 12.5 and 15 miles a day. Larger dogs may be able to walk further, but older and small dogs likely can walk less.
In other words, dogs can start missing their Owners from the moment they part ways. After that, keep missing them more and more for up to two hours. Beyond the two hour mark, they begin a plateau of melancholy until they see their Owner again.
Lost dogs and cats are also more likely to move around in the late evening or early morning hours. With careful planning and the help of other people (and animals), you'll have a better chance of finding your pet soon. If you don't find him on the first night, don't give up.
So as long as a dog can smell, has healthy eyes, and can hear, they will most likely remember you no matter how long you've been out of their life. If you are wondering if your dog misses you while you're gone they don't have any knowledge of time but can experience separation anxiety.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.