How can I make sure my Airedale never gets lost?

Always keep a collar on your Airedale with a tag that has your CURRENT PHONE NUMBER on it. Always have a CURRENT rabies tag and pet license tag attached to your pet's collar. You can be found by the number on the tags. A collar and phone tag are the most important form of ID you can have for your pet.

Microchip your Airedale. All SWAT Airedales are microchipped. A chip provides positive and reliable identification for your pet and all modern shelters scan animals for this ID device.

We don't like tattoos as well as we do microchips because if the Airedale is not groomed, you cannot see the tattoo. Shelters do not have the time to coax a frightened Airedale into allowing them to shave their inner thigh to look for a tattoo. We do not recommend tattooing the ear as thieves have been known to cut off a tattooed ear!

Spay or neuter your Airedale. Both males and females will be much less likely to wander if they are "fixed."

Airedale-proof your yard fence so your Airedale will be safely confined. Be sure to check your fence regularly for new escape routes.

Keep fence gates securely locked. This is for the safety of both your Airedale and any visitors (wanted or unwanted).

Never leave your Airedale outside when you are not at home.

Provide your Airedale with enough exercise and attention so that he will not feel the need to escape.

Never allow your Airedale to roam free in the neighborhood.

Keep your Airedale inside during storms and fireworks displays.

Keep your Airedale inside when you have workmen in and out of your yard.

Be very, very careful about who you choose to dog-sit. Many dogs have been lost because well-meaning friends left doors and gates open. Sometimes a professional kennel is better.

Train your Airedale to wait at all doorways (house and car) and gates and not exit until you give the OK.

Just in case ... take photographs of your Airedale in all stages of grooming. These photos will be invaluable to you later if your Airedale is ever lost.

Train your Airedale to associate a loud whistle with pleasant things. Blow the whistle (start softly) and then give your Airedale a treat. Work up to using the whistle to call your Airedale to dinner. Your Airedale will then be more likely to come running to you when you use the whistle to find them when they are lost. We do not recommend training them to respond to a car horn as this could cause a lost and frightened dog to run into traffic.