05/07/2024
Wolfdogs are escape artists!
Navi May (May for mayhem) got loose yesterday. A mistake on my part of course. I had become lax with my diligence, rushing to get to an appointment. She took the opportunity immediately. Luna followed in step.
Luna being highly engrained within her artificial pack wasn’t going anywhere. She had some fun running and tumbling around the yard with Navi but then came back and went in her pen. Navi on the other hand did not, still being a puppy and wanting to explore.
Wolfdogs are extremely intelligent and usually are not captured using traditional rescue efforts. We knew it was going to be her pack that would call her back and they did. They certainly kept a watchful eye and ear on her. That and food. Her favorite pastime. 😂
In the end, Kel proposed that we bring everyone in for the night and prepared their dinner. Navi is very much a part of this daily ritual and wolves can hear for very long distances. We were sure she heard the dinner bowls and she did. We opened her indoor pen, put smelly, yummy food in it, had every person go inside the house so as not to spook her, while I sat patiently in the barn. Sure enough Little Miss came in, played with a couple of her pack mates on the way and then straight into her indoor pen with food. Phew!
The point of this story? Never, ever chase a wolfdog if they are loose. Follow to keep an eye on them but never run at them, chase or approach. Jake and I kept an eye and ear out using the pack members to help us. They are far more intelligent than most give them credit for. They are also innately afraid of humans. Create a quiet, inviting space to lure them into as we did. Use any tools you have in your toolbox. For instance who is closest to the pup? Who has bonded with them? Are they food motivated, etc?
In this case Navi and I have bonded and she is highly food motivated. When she first saw me in the barn sitting waiting, her first reaction was to run but then realized it was me. I ignored her as if to say your choice. By ignoring her she felt comfort not only that I was there but that I wasn’t going to try to grab her. She then went happily into her pen having had enough adventure for one day.
We’ve found in our experience that the best way to capture one of these highly intelligent, beautiful animals is to try to corner them in some sort of enclosure. A fenced in yard, an open garage, anything of the sort. A wall of people slowly forcing them into an area where they can be caught.
It takes a village. In this case her packs, local PD, neighbors and all of us here. Patience is the word in this type of rescue. Patience and all tools available. Raw steaks can be helpful. 😂
