Karin TarQwyn

Myths, Methods & Scams

Myth...

"My dog will be found if I bring in search and rescue dogs.

This is perhaps the biggest myth in the missing pet industry. It is important to understand what a real "search dog" is. Search dogs are trained to follow the scent of a missing person. They are actually trained not to follow the scent of animals. In the search for a missing pet, scent specific dogs trained and certified to follow the scent of a dog or cat are necessary to move the search forward towards recovering the missing pet. In addition,  the individual on the opposite end of the leash must know what they are doing and unless they are a certified K9 handler specializing in missing pets, that is highly unlikely.

FACT: Most of the individuals now advertising trained search dogs have NEVER been in search and rescue nor have they ever trained  or worked behind a real search dog! However... there are certified professionals available.


Learn more about hiring a professional with tracking dogs.



To REWARD or not to REWARD...

 There is always concern about Reward or Not Reward. In almost every situation it is recommended to have at least the  word Reward. Professionals find that this is a prudent practice with most missing dogs cases. In some cases, a large stated reward is used  in many situations and can be highly effective in some scenarios. That said a large reward can be very dangerous to a dog's life if used in certain missing scenarios like the roaming dog.

A general rule of thumb is: Large rewards should NOT be employed if the missing dog is a STARS dog and is unlikely to allow a stranger to approach and will most probably go on the roam.

 


Method: Using the Media and Newspapers                           

Regularly featured on the news, Private Investigator Karin TarQwyn is careful to angle the media interview to the missing dog's situation

Using  media resources can be highly effective but make sure your story is compelling and...

Media publicity is excellent but it can have very little effect if the story is not angled properly. Information should be dispelled through the newscast or newspaper article to induce viewers and readers to think in a certain way. The story for roaming dog is very different from one where the dog is believed to have been recovered by citizen. Get your story down pat and then reiterate that with the reporter or newscaster.


The CLASSIFIEDS

To be effective an ad in the classifieds needs to be angled based on the comparison of the escape scenario and the missing dog's behavior. Newspaper ads in the classifieds can work but in a very limited number of scenarios. Make sure the ad reflects what has actually happened to your missing dog.



Myth: My dog has a microchip and that is enough to get him home...

               Micro chips are great for identification... but not for locating a dog.   

About microchips...

 Microchipping is a great tool for identifying a dog. Microchips however, are not location devices.

The Microchip reader for the microchip company must be waved over the dog for the dog's identity to be discovered and the dog's current information must be registered with the correct chip company.

Most vets do not register chips. You need to do this yourself. For a microchip to be effective, it must be registered and the lost dog must allow a stranger to approach it. Most STARS dogs will not allow approach by a stranger so in most cases no one will get close enough to a shy or timid dog to be able to scan for a chip or registration number.
 


​ The many MYTHS about the many METHODS...

Some work... and some just don't

In the correct situation, most actions and activities can be effective but... when used in the wrong scenario and situation, they can be not only counter productive but sometimes detrimental to the dog's recovery and in some instances... even dangerous to the dog's life.

By working thousands of missing dog cases  I have learned...


What we have found...

Certain breeds are more likely to be rescued by Good Samaritans as are dogs of certain sizes and colors.

The most likely dog to be helped by a citizen... a small white dog.

The least likely dog to be rescued by a citizen is a medium size or large black dog.