Is your gate locked? Is your wall high enough? Do you have a security door so your dog can’t bolt when you open the interior door? Do you have the right collar?, harness? Leash?

Try not to panic. Here is a link from HARTT, a group whose mission is to find and secure lost dogs.

You never know when your dog may get spooked by something, decide to chase something, or be chased. Besides, in most cities and towns dogs must be leashed.