Advise for catching dumped Jack Russell

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millimoo

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Just after some advise.....
Last Thursday a Jack Russell was spotted by my mum and neighbours on the lame near their houses.
My mum stopped and he shot off in a panic. Needless to say, he remains on the loose.
He's absolutely terrified and seems to be staying in the area, however has been eating the tins of dog food left out at the bottom of the lane where he's been sighted.
Yesterday, he entered a garden and ate bread from a bowl (none doggy neighbours) but shot off again.
A local CPL volunteer was going to try and trap him with a trap but I'm not convinced he'll even enter it.
If he could stay in one place and be fed by the same person he may relax a little, sadly all hes done to date is bolt in a blind panic.
Hes not wearing a collar, has been registered on Doglost, but has anyone got any suggestions?
The whole of the Moorside is very worried about him, but it's a bit hit and miss seeing when he goes to ground - he's also started losing weight :(
 
You have very wisely said he needs to develop a pattern which he will do if food is left out for him. I'd suggest using something as a "go between", i.e. hanging an old coat or something smelling of the person who puts out the food near the feeding station. It might help to bridge the gap, but patience or possibly the trap might be the only answer.

I was once asked to collect a dog left behind by a character who was rather fond of the drink! He'd gone off home half cut as usual and had forgotten about the dog. I sat for ages while the dog wandered around about 25 yards away.

After a while, I noticed the dog did a lot of sniffing and lifting his leg at one spot! To put it bluntly, I joined in the latter!:D The dog sniffed a lot at my scent, decided I wasn't a bad person, and just came up to me and allowed himself to be put on the lead -- after about 2.5 hours!

But this dog has obviously had a bad experience which makes him suspicious. You say "he". Has anyone got a bitch in season?;)
 
Thanks for your suggestions... Some really good ideas.
I've been up with my lab bitch (although neutered) and I haven't even seen him yet - I've been up every other day either mucking my pony out or specifically lookin for him.
One of the neighbours has a house sitter who's seen him the most, and a couple of occasions she was walking the dog - again he bolted.
We'll keep trying though :)
 
That's a shame, sometimes it can be the draw they need.

I reckon a trap with something smelly and yummy in it might work, maybe with a towel etc over as terriers do like a dark stinky place :) pick something irresistible and be patient, like tripe *retch*
 
If you do see him, I suggest sitting down quietly and saying nothing and not looking at him , as you would do to get a young foal to come to you. Clearly, he's had a bad experience. It could take a long time! I wouldn't worry about him getting thin, dogs are great scroungers and can live on very little if they choose. He certainly won't starve to death.
 
This can be really difficult, especially if they've been out for a while. You have some options. If you can get within a few yards then lie down (make sure you have a slip noose lead with you) keep quietly talking. inch yourself as close as the dog will let you and if he moves, stop and don't look at him. Keep talking. Keep this up until you are right beside him. Keep talking, don't look at him. put a treat or two down and keep still and talking until he takes them, put some more down and by then hopefully you might be able to gently slip the lead over his neck and tighten. Once you're sure you have him you're away. Be careful, JR's can be very testy and snappy especially if scared.

Option 2. If he has a regular route find somewhere on that route to place a humane trap or large dog cage will do. Bait it with food each day until he goes in without questioning it. In the case of a trap it will close automatically anyway, in the dog cage case have a long string on the door and either lie in wait or attach a pensioner on the other end of the string (I am not being in the least flippant here, I actually did this) when pup is eating happily pull string for all you are worth and hang on to keep the door closed and secure it.

Good luck with it you will need it. Let us know if you catch him.
 
He's been caught :)
Hes had one heck of a few weeks, and today was a near disaster as he was spotted 2 miles down an A road at the local Town traffic lights.
Some got down there to try and catch him, and of course he did a runner and disappeared - how he didn't get run over I'll never know.
He was then spotted again this afternoon back on the Moorside, and someone managed (god knows how) to trap him in a garage.
He's been collected by the CPL volunteer, and im hoping the offer of a home doesn't fall through.
Will update you when I have more info :)
 
Great news :)

I once managed to capture a young poodle with the lure of chocolate mini eggs (not ideal but all I had on me and it had been hanging round my grans house for over a week by then). Happily it was reunited with its owner (a young disabled girl), they had put cards all round.
 
So glad he's been caught.
I caught a dumped collie x who wouldn't go near anyone with a tennis ball! He just couldn't resist joining me in a game of catch! (he stayed with me for 13 years after that:p)
 
Awww that's lovely Nickijem....
I'd give him a home, but I have 3 cats in addition to my lab, plus nieces of 11yrs, 5yrs & nephew of 2yrs, and wouldn't want to take the risk incase hs has issues.
Just hoping the peopledown the lane will give him a home with their lab as they've loads if room, plus he's got to know the Moorside really well :)
Will find out more tomorrow
 
Spoken to friend. He's safely installed in the neighbours kitchen. Met their lab, and they were fine. Hes clearly used to being in a home environment, walks to heal, and whilst initially curling his lip through fear when they were attempting to put a lead on, he's now a different dog. Even sprawled out in front of the Aga.
He's also castrated, and he's going to be scanned for a chip tomorrow. I'm also going to re-check Doglost as hes apparently too nice, so we wonder if he's been stolen historically?
 
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