Calming Signals

Calming signals are behaviors exhibited around an at large or stray dog, with the objective of calming the dog, gaining its trust, and subsequently containing it with a leash or a crate. If it's possible to avoid trapping a dog by using calming signals, this will always be preferable.

Background: the work of dog behaviorist Turid Rugaas has taught us about the behaviors that dogs exhibit to calm other panicked and stressed dogs, as well as humans. She coined the phrase "calming signals", and since we humans mimic those behaviors when dealing with stressed, panicked and at large dogs, we use the same term to describe our behaviors.

Of course, exercise judgement when dealing with an unknown stray dog as opposed to a known lost dog. And remember - patience!

Here are some behaviors to remember to use, or avoid, when face to face with an at large dog, whether it is the lost dog that you have been looking for, or one you happen to encounter. What suggestions can you add to these lists?


Behaviors to avoid

• Facing the dog directly
• Speaking directly to the dog
• Making eye contact
• Advancing directly toward the dog, even slowly
• Making sudden or quick movements
• Speaking loudly or making any kind of loud noise
• Continuing to stand tall over the dog
• Displaying any stress or panicked feelings of your own, or impatience

Behaviors to establish that you are non-threatening to the dog

• Sit or otherwise put your body low towards the ground, closer to the dog's level (remembering to avoid the above behaviors)
• Lie down on the ground and whine softly
• Yawn; lick your lips; cough; sniff (loudly enough to be heard)
• Turn your head and/or your body away from the dog (slowly)
• Do normal things that demonstrate self interest as opposed to an interest in the dog, such as applying lip balm

Behaviors to lure the dog towards you (after establishing that you are not a threat)

• Do call attention to yourself if the dog doesn't see you
• Crinkle a bag, that might sound like a snack bag, with smelly bait in it - like cooked & dried cut up hot dog
• Eat something while making "yummy yummy" noises, dropping bits of the food around onto the floor; a crumbly muffin is a good example
• Toss treats to the dog, slowly; if possible, over the shoulder and while facing away
• When you have more than one person to participate in the luring behavior
• Play frisbee or catch with each other (props required)
• Speak conversationally to each other, showing a lack of interest in the dog
• When you have another dog to participate in the luring
• Lavish attention on the other dog
• Play fetch with the other dog
• If you are at a distance, not in close physical proximity
• Call out the name of a familiar or companion dog

What else can you add to these lists that have worked for you? There must be plenty more!

Lost Dogs Really Don't Recognize Their Humans

When encountering a stray dog that you want to contain, even when it's your own dog, the advice is always to avoid calling out to it, making eye contact, etc. Dog owners often have a pretty hard time grasping the idea that their own dog would not come to them or even recognize them. Consider this excerpt, paraphrased from the Loudoun Times on 1/6/11

“She didn’t recognize me or my voice,” Reilly-Greiner said. “The wind was blowing against me, so she couldn’t pick up my scent, either. There was no recognition. I was a stranger to her."

While patrolling the area 32 days after her dog went missing, Carrie Reilly-Greiner spotted Sage feeding on a deer carcass. Despite gentle calls to her dog, Sage did not respond to her owner. Hours later, after the dog was humanely trapped and reunited with her, Carrie made this observation:

"Once I was in front of her, a very strange thing happened. You see, dogs have serotonin in their brains, which makes them act domesticated. And when that serotonin dissipates, as it does very rapidly when a domesticated dog is out in the wild, they revert to survival mode. Once I was reunited with her, I could literally see the serotonin kicking back in. She began to lick me and cry and wag her tail. It was quite a remarkable moment.”

What is serotonin?
Serotonin is a hormone found naturally in the body which acts as a messenger between nerve cells. It regulates a number of key physiological processes, including short term memory, sensory perception, sleep, mood and depression.

What are the effects of depleted levels of serotonin?
When levels of this crucial hormone are depleted, the body's natural rhythms are disturbed. Low levels of serotonin can lead to depression, while normal levels lead to a state of calm. Chronic serotonin depletion significantly impairs short term memory, but not long term memory.

What causes depletion of serotonin levels?
There are several causes for reduced levels of serotonin, many of which are environmental factors that people face on an everyday basis. Since dogs also have serotonin and are similarly affected, consider each factor listed with a dog on its own in mind.

Poor Diet
Our bodies produce serotonin while digesting foods which are healthy and contain the amino acid L-Tryptophan. Serotonin deficiencies may cause a chemical imbalance which can be the result of poor nutrition. Serotonin levels can be affected by an unbalanced diet, as an adequate protein supply plus specific vitamins and minerals are necessary to build neurotransmitters. Protein contains tryptophan, an amino acid that turns to serotonin in the brain. Some specific vitamins and minerals are known as cofactors, and when too few cofactors are present in the body due to poor nutrition and low protein intake, a neurotransmitter imbalance arises.

Stress
Whether brought about by everyday life as a dog on the run or by a significant traumatic event, prolonged or intense stress has been found to cause changes in the brain's chemistry, including the depletion of serotonin. A1989 study revealed that chronic stress caused by ongoing problems or a specific stressful incident likely contributed to neurochemical changes in participants, leading to episodes of depression.

Low levels of serotonin are directly related to stress, especially long term stress. We are becoming a “serotonin deficient” society due to chronic stress, lack of exercise and a proper well-balanced diet, and poor sleeping habits. Managing stress through support systems, exercise, relaxation techniques and adequate rest will also replenish serotonin levels. These strategies will further promote the refueling of serotonin.

Lack of Sleep
Lack of sleep negatively affects our brains' neuronal signaling, including how it responds to serotonin. Sleep deprivation has been shown to desensitize serotonin pathways, meaning that consistent lack of sleep has a negative impact on our brain’s response to serotonin in general. This means that consistent healthy sleeping patterns are key to maintaining healthy serotonin signaling in our brains and likely our bodies in general.

Chemical Substances
Certain substances in our environment can be to blame for cases of depleted serotonin levels in the brain. Exposure to harsh chemicals such as pesticides and heavy metals can lead to permanent damage to the nerve cells responsible for producing serotonin.

Lack of Sunlight
Increasing research has revealed a link between lack of sunlight and depleted serotonin levels. When the body's internal clock does not receive signals from the sunlight to release certain energetic hormones such as serotonin, levels of this nerve transmitter are lowered. A study conducted at the University of Toronto shows that sunlight controls serotonin transporters, which are proteins that prevent nerves from receiving serotonin. The study found that higher levels of serotonin transporters were found in the brain during darker autumn and winter months, leading to depleted serotonin levels.

Lack of Exercise
Exercise boosts blood and brain serotonin levels immediately, and it helps regenerate neurons. Increased neuron production gives our brains better ability to utilize the serotonin boosts. Exercise also allows our brains cells to function better by making them more flexible, leading to better responses to all neurotransmitters, including serotonin.

Genetics
For those (people) found to have inherited a genetic defect in the brain's serotonin receptors, it is difficult for these receptors to absorb the brain's circulating serotonin. This defect makes serotonin receptor sites shorter than they normally would be, hindering their ability to both receive and release serotonin in the brain.

Impacts on serotonin levels in stray dogs

• Poor diet and stress are the most significant serotonin-related risks for dogs on their own
• Exercise and sunlight are probably not risks for most stray dogs
• Since the sleep habits of stray dogs v homed dogs is an unknown, it is harder to discern its effect on serotonin levels in dogs on their own
• Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides is likely not a high risk for most at large dogs

Impacts of depleted serotonin levels in stray dogs

• Stress typically contributes to at large dogs avoiding help offered by humans.
• Dogs with bonded owners often fail to recognize their own human family members due in part to stress and short term memory loss as it relates to compromised serotonin levels.

Mapping Sightings and Fliering Online

An interactive lnline map is a tool that should be used in any organized search for a lost dog. This is particularly true where a ot of people are actively involved in the search. Well, actually, good maintenance of an interactive online map can make it possible for more people to be actively involved in the search!

Here's a sample of a very simple map used for a lost dog search from 2011.

The obvious use of a map, most typically using Google Maps, is for sightings. When a lot of sightings exist, and someone (or better eyt, several people) are assigned to plot each and every sighting, and timely as they are called in becauese the mappers are kept in the loop when sightings are called in, then the map can really boose interest in the search if it is shared somewhere that it will be seen by supporters and people with an interest in the search. This may be done in Craigslist postings, listserv emails, Facebook groups or pages, or blogs, to name a few.

Another good use of the map is to plot flyering. I've used it to shade fliered areas in one color, and areas yet to be fliered in another color. At times I've even done things like set up several priority areas -- like 1st, 2nd and 3rd priority -- and given each priority a different color. then after the dog is found and it's time to unflier, you can remove shading as volunteers report to you that they have unfliered areas.

If the search has its own web presence such as a blog or a FB page, you can provide the URL to that site in the map description area. That will get some traffic to that site since there are some people that will find the map VIA Google Maps.

I find that the biggest problem with getting volunteers to accept responsibility to maintain the Google map is simply that they feel they will find it too difficult to do. It's SOOOOO easy to use Google Maps! You can find many Google Maps instructional videos at YouTube.  Or click on Help at the Google Maps opening page.

If the dog and its family are lucky enough to be in an area with trained missing pet scent tracking dogs, the handler should provide a map of the track. We have often re-created the track on our sighting and fliering maps.

Remember to suggest to the lost dog's people that maintaining the map is something that can be assigned to friends and family that don't live nearby, but really wish they could find a way to help with the search. As long as they are receiving communications, people unable to flier or search on the ground can be valuable assets to the search by helping maintain the map.

Postcard Mailing Services

In only the rarest of lost dog cases is it not critical to spread the word! This is how sightings are generated, and sightings are needed to locate the dog.

Then only if one is lucky can the dog be contained easily once found, or better yet, will the dog come when called once spotted. This is most often limited to when the dog hasn't been lost for long - yet. So even when a sighting comes in that shows a new location for the lost dog, that can be just the beginning. There may still be a lot of work to be done to condition the dog to stay in the area long enough to be trapped. This will mean that continued sightings will almost be essential to keep the dog's owner informed as they prepare for trapping.

So, say that it's been a while since there has been a sighting, and all of a sudden, a sighting comes in from a neighborhood where there has been no searching so far. As far as you're concerned, all the neighbors need to be told about the dog, and to have their own photo of him (or her)! Best if an army of people are available to rush there and flyer or deliver fliers to every household! But if that's not a real option, which it typically is not, consider recommending postcard mailer services.

There are several that exist expressly to help with missing pet searches. Everyone has heard of Sherlock Bones, right? That is essentially what Sherlock Bones does -- postcard mailing.

Then if you know about Pet Harbor, you probably know it as a site where you can view the animals at LOT of animal shelters, right?  Look more closely -- they also have a postcard mailer service.

I first discovered the concept when I visited the Lost Pet Cards website. Here's a sample postcard from this site:

Now, you can always produce your own cards, trust me. I've done it. Here is a resource offered by the USPS that isn't there only for missing pet guardians:  Every Door Direct Mail

Also look at Mailing.com, and search on Google to find the many more options that I'm certain exist! You may be required to provide the addresses for that one, and in another blog update, I will give you a way to do that.

Lost Dog Recovery Guide

Annalisa Berns has been helping people find their lost pets for years. She was initially trained by the Missing Pet Partnership in 2005, and has had tons of experience since then. She has written her own set of books on how to recover lost dogs and cats. I doubt that what she wrote is a re-hash straight from the MPP training materials; I expect it comes mostly from her considerable years of experience.

Her books have been around for a while, and now they are available from the HelpFindLostPets website, which looks to be very informative. I haven't read Annalisa's books, but in looking over the table of contents, I'd have to say it looks to be well worth the investment if you want to help people recover lost dogs. Like this blog, it's not for people looking to find their own lost dog; it looks like it would be information overload for that. But give it a look, and I'd love to find out your assessment of it as a resource for learning to be a pet detective.

Here's the table of contents:

Checklist of Techniques - A quick reference checklist to use in your search.

Chapter 1 – Common Myths

·         Some people don’t find their pet because they believe these myths!

Chapter 2 – FAST Search

·         If your dog just went missing.

·         Checklist of places to search for your dog and how to conduct a FAST search for your dog.

Chapter 3 – Supplies & Regroup

·         If you don’t have your dog back yet – preparation for search tasks including shopping lists.

·         Checking at the shelter – issues and information.

Chapter 4 – Witness Development

·         Critical tasks for witness development.

Chapter 5 – Trapping & Lure Techniques

·         Detailed directions on different types of trapping and lure techniques.

Chapter 6 – No luck? Move On!

·         Keep up your search momentum –  over 30 lower probability tasks, but important too!

Chapter 7 – Hiring a Pet Detective & Search Dogs

·         Information about using Search Dogs and Pet Detectives in your search for your dog.

·         Information about the authors of this guide and their references. Definitions of common terms.

Chapter 8 – Dealing with Sightings & Calls

·         Dealing with sightings can make or break your search!

Chapter 9 – Confirmed Sighting! Now What?

·         What to do to find your pet from a sighting.

Chapter 10 – Coyotes and Other Predators

·         Detailed information about predators and your missing pet.

·         How to keep predators out of your area and away from your pet.

Chapter 11 – Studies of Lost Pet Behavior & Missing Pet Recovery

·         Information and studies on lost dog behavior and how missing pets are recovered.

Chapter 12 – Breed Specific Tips

·         Resources and specific tips on some popular breeds.

Chapter 13 – I Think Someone Took My Dog!

·         Information about pet theft.

Chapter 14 – Dealing with Grief

·         What to do if the emotional pain of searching for your beloved pet is too much.

·         How to cope with the pain if you found your pet deceased.

Chapter 15 – Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

·         Common questions about finding lost pets and scent.

Chapter 16 – Your Dog is Home!

·         You found your dog safe – what to do next.

·         What to do to keep your dog safe.

Chapter 17 – References, Resources & Suggested Reading

·         Books, magazines, websites and newspaper articles referenced for this guide.

·         Where to go next if you want to know more.

Chapter 18 – Forms

·         Forms for services like Search Strategy Consultations with Pet Detectives and Forensic Testing.

By the way, one of the things I favor about this resource, and Annalisa Berns I guess! -- is the use of the term "Lost Dog Recovery". That's exactly how I think of it; I don't really think "pet detective" even when I say it just because it's quick and easy. To me, it's all about Lost Dog Recovery.

And here's where you can find it:
http://helpfindlostpets.com/lost-dog-recovery-guide