If you’re walking a dog and it gets loose from you, relax, crouch down and try calling it back to you. There’s a good chance it will run back towards you.
If you can’t get it back within a couple of seconds, loudly and clearly shout “Loose Dog” several times over the radio so everyone hears it.
- What the situation is - i.e Loose Dog
- Which dog is loose
- Where is the dog heading
Closing the Gates
If the dog is loose on site - whoever is closest to the Main Large Silver Gate by Kitten Unit when the loose dog alarm has been called - CLOSE IT.
You just need to pull the bottom bolts out of the ground for it to close. This gate will keep the loose dog contained on site (Unless it’s Chihuahua sized that can fit through the bars!).
If you’re at the end of the drive, close the gate in-between the 2 farm gates leading into the fields.
These gates are to be immediately closed as soon as the alarm is raised and are to remain closed until given the all clear.
The dogs usually run towards the paddock or down the drive. If they go up towards the paddock, close the gates leading up there behind them (the one by laundry and the one leading into the car park).
The only other way they can escape off site is if they cut across the horse fields through the fence and then through the far hedges - it’s incredibly rare they’ll try this as they won’t have ever been walked there before and won’t have any association to go that way…..but it has happened. If they do, keep eyes on them and communicate with everyone where they’re heading.
Some dogs may try and attack the horses - careful not to get kicked!
Catching the Dog
DO NOT DIRECTLY CHASE THE DOG IF THE DOG IS FACING YOU
It may spook them or it may turn into a game.
Walk calmly but efficiently around them.
If a member of staff is quite close to them and close to getting them - BACK OFF AND GIVE THEM SPACE.
If You’re Walking a Dog When You Hear the Alarm
If you’re walking a dog when you hear the loose dog alarm - focus on your own dog before offering assistance.
Keep yourself and your dog well out of the way.
If you can safely and quickly put it away in its kennel/outdoor run then great - do NOT panic and rush as you could cause your own dog to get loose. (This happened several years ago where a handler put a dog in the outrun… …and ran off without closing the door… so there were then 2 loose dogs on site to deal with…)
- If you’re walking a dog friendly dog and you know the loose dog in question is also dog friendly - you can potentially use your dog to lure them to you. If you’re unsure about the dog’s temperament then keep well away.
- If you’re walking a dog aggressive dog and you hear the loose dog alarm - get yourself inside ASAP - Back Office/Any Kennel Block/Reception/Vets/Outside Kitten Unit/Potentially the Café. (Beware of other dogs in there and other areas.) It doesn’t matter if you can’t offer assistance - just keep your own dog away and safe.
If you’re in a position where you’re walking a dog aggressive dog, and a loose dog is running towards you, or the loose dog is dog aggressive and there is no-where for you to go - put your dog as close behind you as physically possible and try and scare the loose dog away from you.
(Shout at it, stamp your feet towards it etc.) We would rather have a loose dog than a dog fight!
You will probably have a split second to do this and it’s the safest option for you. In doing so you may add a couple of precious extra seconds for other handlers to grab the dog.
Regarding volunteers on site with dogs - usher them quickly and safely past the gate to the area outside of barns or keep them safely tucked away by the outside cafe area. But remember to keep them all separate from each other and remind them to do so.
If we have any stranger aggressive dogs loose on site - usher all members of public and volunteers inside immediately - doesn’t matter where, anywhere inside and keep them there until the all clear has been given.
Make sure someone tells everyone in the cafe to stay put until given the all clear.
If a Dog Runs onto the Road
If a dog runs down the drive and onto the road - keep eyes on it for as long as possible so we can get a good sense of which direction it is heading.
The supervisor that day will quickly delegate who is to (carefully) drive after it and who is to stay behind and hold the fort.
As soon as the dog has been safely caught - give the all clear over the radio. Please don’t forget to do this.
If a dog gets loose from you - it’s happened to everyone many times and will happen to everyone again at some point.
It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about - there are 70+ dogs on site that are constantly moving around - it happens.
Tips to Prevent Loose Dogs
- Hold onto the lead tightly with your hand through the loop
- Keep the toggle down on slip leads
- Close doors/gates behind you
Check and double check kennel doors are closed and locked when putting dogs back
Be cautious when getting dogs out of the kennel and ensure it’s done correctly.
- Keep a close eye on volunteers and correct their lead handling if needs be