senior dog ran home from walk

[lilliegez]

hi all looking for some advice.  my 14 year old girl was having her usual woodland walk today.  everything was fine no changes,  she always walks a little ahead but is in sight and constantly stops and checks in with me.   she has some hearing issues but is doing well.  today she gave me the fright of my life, she went around a corner , the usual route we take and was gone.   i was unsure which way to go to find her and i shouted but as she has hearing issues it wasnt helping .  i couldnt find her.   the woods is only about 5 mins from my house so i decided to run home in a complete panic,  she had gone home and was standing by the front door, she was oblivious to the situation it was like she thought id been with her the whole time.  she was calm and just her usual self.  she hadnt been scared on the walk and she isnt in any pain.   i know now that letting her off leash is a big risk, she is 14 and has never really gone out of sight on a walk before, i have no idea why its happened.  does anyone have any advice.  thanks

[bizzylizzy]

I can imagine your panic, my previous dog did exactly the same thing when he was a similar age, even encountered a busy main road. I can only conclude that as she?d already gone around the corner she couldn?t see you or hear you and her first instinct, naturally, was to head for home. The only thing I can really suggest is a long lead, if she tends to just trott along, as mine does now, it won?t really interfere with her freedom of movement, she can still stop and sniff and do  what she wants to do  but it would give you both  the reassurance to enjoy your walks.
 

[Joules]

Oh that must have been scary. They can get a bit unpredictable as they get older - like the rest of us I guess.

Have you thought about getting a tracker for her - then you will know where she is at all time in case it happens again.

From what I hear, Tractive or Pitpat are 2 worth looking at 

[lilliegez]

thanks all i kept her on a long lead today she wasnt so keen but hopefull will get use to it.  ive ordered a tracker also. 

[Finvarra]

Has happened to me twice, once with a Scottie, once with a spaniel, when out for a walk in the woods. Both times they ended up back in the car park, thankfully, after a breathlesss search. The Scottie was waiting for me sat by a brand new spanking Mercedes instead of my old banger 

[bizzylizzy]

 The Scottie was waiting for me sat by a brand new spanking Mercedes instead of my old banger  :lol2:

  Worth a try!!