This happened to me when I dog sat my neighbours dog too. I grew up with dogs and I've dog sat a hundred times before with other dogs, but even a well experienced owner can't 100% guarantee how a dog will react to you as a complete stranger especially if something happen that scares the dog.

I have pet her dog several times when we met on walks, and I visited her and hanged out with her and the dog to make sure he feels safe with me before we head out. I was just gonna help her walk him as she had problems in her knees and it hurt for her to be outside in the cold.

It was an adult collie male.


So. I went on a walk to the nearby forest track in the dawn. And as it got darker I asked my partner go meet us up with a flashlight (my phone flashlight was not helping much in a dark Forrest covered of snow and I wanted to be sure we didn't walk lost) So we waited at the central camp spot in the forest.

As my partner arrived, the dog saw the flashlights, he got scared, and slipped out of the collar. Collies have super-thin necks so if they wanna escape, they will.

And he ran off.

I felt like the worst sitter in the world but had to swallow my pride and call the owner and tell her what happened. She told me he ran home. She was the one explaining to me that Collies have little to no neck so they are impossible to keep leached unless they let you.

He got home safe, no visible injuries.
He was a bit anxious a few days after when she walked him. Understandable. It was a terrifying experience for him.

But everytime he saw me on walks he squeeked and wanted me to come pet him. He didn't see me as the threat. Or blamed me. Only the flash light. But the owner gave me the cold shoulder ever since. Which I completely understand, I terrified her too.

What I learned is collies are not great for dog sitting unless you have a yard or a harness that is secured around the belly and not just the neck.

This is really sad, and for sure we need to be careful about who trust our animal 'kids' with. I hope you'll post an update when you find out about this lost dog's fate.

I hope he makes it home safely. As a dedicated pet lover, Thank You for your willingness to help look for him yourself. It's much easier for a familiar face to rescue a frightened pet.🤗
Hopefully he isn't stuck out in the cold and some kind hearted person has taken him in for a few days until his person can be found.

Ugh, what a nightmare. I truly hope that dog finds his way home safely.

You make a good point, the dog doesn't know this person and has no idea what is happening.

I've used Rover before. It's ok, there are some good people on it, but there are some real wackos as well.

I have a dog day care/boarding service that they go to regularly. That seems to be the better way to go, as they are familiar with the place and the people and it isn't as hard on the dogs while you are away.

your a very kind hearted person, hope you a merry Christmas,

Yeah rover is just an online thing that anyone can subscribe to so you're leaving your pets with total unvetted strangers

I’d never allow anyone to be alone with my dogs I don’t even trust extended family

Dogs are smart. He most likely found some kind sole and is on the couch right now.

I usually board my dog at a licensed kennel if I have to leave him.

tl/dr. Summarize son.

Awwww🥺

I second this, never let anyone near your loved ones unsupervised

That is why there is only one person on this entire planet I would trust with my pets.