How do you lure a lost dog back?

Don’t approach the dog too quickly. Entice the dog to come to you. Don’t make loud noises or call out to the dog. Remain calm and use submissive body language. Avoid direct eye contact. Try using a crinkly food bag and a soft, tempting treat. This may work to lure the dog to you or help get them into your car.

To attract a lost dog back to the house, or to the location where you last saw your him/her and/or wherever you have a believable recent sighting, or to a food station, you can leave some of your belongings that have your scent on, on the ground. Take items from the laundry basket that have not been washed. You can also leave your pet's bed at the entrance to your property, or if lost from further afield, where it went missing from. You can also rub toilet paper on your body to get your scent on it and drop it around a small area, as that is biodegradable. Use your urine - it might sound gross, but it does work. Set up a feeding station only at the location where you last saw your dog and/or wherever you have a believable recent sighting. A feeding station can be a largish plastic box, lying on its side, with a bowl of water and some wet food inside. You can leave trails close by, of fish oil, or Liquid Smoke to entice your dog to the feeding station. If you think your dog is still close to where they went missing, or if you think it may be close to home, you can use a BBQ to attract them. Best food items to cook are strong smelling ones; remember you won't be eating the food you are cooking so it doesn't have to appetising to you. Late at night is a good time to have a scent BBQ, as it will be quieter and you will have less chance of attracting other people's pets, especially if you are in an open area.

Make a noise – a cough, sneezing sound or throat clearing to get his attention, so he knows you are there. Do NOT make eye contact or stare at him. Instead, take a submissive stance, looking away – ALWAYS keep a sideways profile to the dog – it’s less confrontational. Food is a great motivator -- even if you don’t have food, use a crinkly bag or the like -- pretend to eat the food (“Yummy-Yummy-Yummy”) and “drop” some on the ground and kneel pretend to be looking for it. If that isn’t an option, rather than approaching the dog, sit down, or even better, lay on the ground and pat your chest. If you have food, place it on the ground near you, smell it, taste it…and let him know you have food. Super yummy and fragrant treats and food are excellent at grabbing a dog’s attention. Let the dog approach you – and don’t reach out to him. Let it be 100% on HIS terms. Another option – play with a ball or frisbee – but IGNORE THE DOG.