Flight or Fight: Unraveling the Instincts of Dogs in Survival Mode

As dog owners, we share an incredible bond with our dogs. They are not just pets; they are family members, loyal friends, and a source of unwavering love. So, when a dog goes missing, it can be a heart-wrenching and stressful experience. It's during these challenging times that understanding a fundamental aspect of a dog's behaviour becomes crucial – Survival Mode.

Survival Mode, also known as Fight or Flight Mode, is an instinctual response deeply ingrained in every dog's nature. It's a survival mechanism that has been fine-tuned through generations of evolution. In essence, when a dog finds itself in a stressful or threatening situation, it has two primary responses: fight back or flee from the danger.

In the context of a lost dog, Survival Mode can be triggered by the unfamiliar and potentially scary environment they find themselves in. This mode can manifest in various ways, including heightened anxiety, heightened aggression, or an instinct to seek cover and avoid any potential threats.

Survival mode is a natural response and not attributable to anyone's fault. It doesn't reflect a dog's feelings toward their owner, their desire for safety, or any mistreatment. In essence, it's the dog's way of being a dog when faced with fear and uncertainty.

Understanding the dynamics of Survival Mode is crucial for dog owners, especially when searching for a lost pet. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Recognising the Signs: Survival Mode can cause a dog to behave unpredictably. They might become elusive, avoid human contact, or even become aggressive if they feel threatened. Its essential to recognise these signs to adapt your search and approach accordingly.

• Patience is Key: If your lost dog is in Survival Mode, it's crucial to be patient. Rushing to approach or capture them can exacerbate their fear and stress, making the situation more challenging.

• Seek Professional Help: If you believe your dog is in Survival Mode and the search becomes challenging, consider seeking help from professional dog trackers or organisations experienced in lost dog recovery. They can provide invaluable assistance in safely locating and recovering your pet.

• Using Calm and Temptation: Instead of chasing your dog, try to use calm and temptation to encourage them to come to you. Familiar voices, their favourite treats.

• Stay Informed: Educate yourself about Survival Mode and how it can affect your lost dog's behaviour. Knowledge is power, and understanding your dog's state of mind can make a significant difference in your search efforts.

In this blog, we'll delve deeper into Survival Mode, exploring its triggers, effects, and the best strategies for handling a lost dog exhibiting this behaviour. Remember, in times of crisis, staying informed and keeping a calm, rational approach can be the key to reuniting with your beloved furry friend.

The fight or flight response is a deeply ingrained survival mechanism that has evolved over generations in dogs. Essentially, when a dog perceives a stressful or threatening situation, they have two primary reactions: either they will stand their ground and fight back or they will flee from the perceived danger. The situation or stimuli that triggers this response is referred to as a "trigger."

Triggers can manifest anywhere, regardless of the environment, even in places where a dog typically feels safe. If a trigger is potent enough to make the dog feel unsafe, they will instinctively revert to the fight or flight response. Triggers within a controlled environment, like a home, can include sudden loud noises such as the clatter of a metal bowl, a car backfiring, or the noise of fireworks. Another common scenario is when a dog arrives in a new home where they don’t yet feel secure or trusting, prompting them to be in a constant state of fight or flight. In essence, if a dog feels unsafe due to a trigger, they will respond with the fight or flight instinct.

For instance, if a lost dog is in fight or flight mode and is observed running away from people, even those familiar to them, encouraging strangers to search for the dog means repeatedly exposing the dog to the very triggers they are trying to escape from. This constant exposure to triggers can have a negative impact on the dog rather than a positive one. Think of it as facing something you're scared of, like spiders, and running away when you encounter one. Now, imagine if someone kept putting more spiders in your path—you'd keep running away. 

It's worth noting that often, a trigger has already occurred, leading the dog to take flight and become lost in the first place. It's crucial for both owners and Search and Rescue (SAR) organisations to comprehend the trigger that led to the dog getting lost. This understanding is essential for developing a logical and effective SAR response for the lost dog. Misinterpreting the triggers and taking the wrong actions can risk perpetuating the presence of triggers in front of the lost dog, heightening its stress responses.

Search and Rescue (SAR) organisations frequently identify the fight or flight response in lost dogs, particularly when the dog keeps evading people, even those they are familiar with and has known for an extended period. However, what often remains less understood are the physiological and psychological changes that take place in the lost dog, significantly impacting their well-being. It becomes the shared responsibility of both owners and SAR teams to grasp these alterations occurring in the dog, as this understanding is essential for safeguarding their welfare throughout their time being lost.

The physiology of a dog in the "fight or flight" response is a complex and innate reaction to a perceived threat or stressor. When a dog experiences a situation that triggers this response, various physiological changes occur to prepare the dog to either confront the threat (fight) or flee from it (flight). Here's an overview of the key physiological changes:

• Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System: The sympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the "fight or flight" system, is activated. This leads to the release of stress hormones, primarily adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine, into the bloodstream.

• Increased Heart Rate: Adrenaline causes the heart rate to increase rapidly. This helps pump more blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients, to vital organs and muscles, preparing the dog for physical exertion.

• Dilation of Pupils: The dog's pupils dilate to allow more light to enter the eyes, enhancing visual acuity. This aids in detecting potential threats and navigating in low-light conditions.

• Bronchial Dilation: The airways in the respiratory system expand, allowing for increased oxygen intake. This ensures that the dog has enough oxygen available for heightened physical activity.

• Muscle Tension: Muscles throughout the body become tense and ready for action. This can enhance the dog's strength and speed, facilitating either fighting or fleeing.

• Increased Blood Flow: Blood flow is redirected away from non-essential functions, such as digestion and immune response, and directed towards the muscles and organs needed for immediate survival.

• Heightened Alertness: The dog becomes hyper-alert, with heightened senses of sight, hearing, and smell. This helps in detecting potential dangers in the environment.

• Decreased Pain Perception: Dogs in a "fight or flight" state may have a reduced perception of pain. This can be advantageous if they are injured during a confrontation with a threat, allowing them to keep moving.

• Release of Glucose: The liver releases stored glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream, providing a quick source of energy for the dog's heightened physical activity.

• Digestive System Inhibition: Digestive functions slow down or halt entirely. This is why dogs may experience gastrointestinal issues during stressful situations.

These physiological changes are adaptive responses that have evolved to help dogs survive in dangerous or threatening situations. While these responses are crucial for survival, it's important to note that prolonged or frequent activation of the "fight or flight" response can have negative effects on a dog's health and well-being. Chronic stress can lead to various health issues, so its essential for dog owners to minimise stressors and advocate for an approach to Search and Rescue (SAR) that prioritises the well-being and welfare of the dogs involved.

Recognising whether a lost dog is already in survival mode or prone to enter it can be determined by assessing several key factors:

• The dogs past behaviour and history.

• The trigger that led to the dog becoming lost in the first place.

• The dog's temperament, particularly if they tend to be nervous.

• Instances where the dog has been seen running away from people.

• Observations made by the owner, specifically if the dog's response was to flee.

Identifying when a lost dog is in survival mode or displaying flight tendencies is essential for developing a strategy that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of their situation. 

During this phase, the lost dog prioritises three key elements:

1. Food

2. Water

3. Safety

All of which are essential for survival. 

Safety is of utmost importance to a lost dog, as they may already be in this situation due to feeling unsafe. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with these essentials and ensure their safety away from people while search and rescue plans are devised. Failing to do so can be detrimental to the dog's well-being and the chances of successful recovery.

Once flight mode has been identified, it becomes crucial to change the strategy. The primary focus of the search and rescue (SAR) strategy should be to prioritise the well-being and safety of the lost dog. After all, a deceased dog cannot be brought back home safe, and it is exceedingly difficult to recapture a dog that is in a constant state of flight.

Flight and fight responses often go hand in hand. 

Owners may frequently encounter SAR organisations advising the public not to "Call, Chase, or Try to grab" a lost dog. Unfortunately, this message is not always fully comprehended by the public and may be met with questions like "Is the dog dangerous?" or "If this were my dog, I would want everyone out trying to catch them.” Both owners and SAR organisations bear a responsibility towards the lost dog and the public. Advising against calling, pursuing, or chasing a lost dog provides a safer environment for the dog, reducing the triggers that cause them to keep fleeing. Furthermore, advising not to attempt grabbing the dog also protects the public. Trying to grab a lost dog can lead to them being placed back into flight or fight mode, but with the flight option removed, the only recourse left for the dog is to fight. There have been instances of well-intentioned individuals grabbing lost dogs, resulting in dog bites, and subsequently, the dog is released and once again takes flight.

Once the appropriate measures have been identified and communicated to the public for handling the situation when the dog is sighted, it is vital to ensure that these sightings are not made public. While our community may be dog-loving and compassionate, it is essential to understand that, regardless of how many times you request the public not to go to sightings, well-meaning people often will. Protecting your dog's spaces and keeping location information private is crucial to providing your dog with one of the three essentials they need, which is safety. To learn more about a dog's safe spaces, you can refer to this resource.

Once you have communicated effectively and kept sightings confidential, the dog must be provided with the other two essentials: food and water. Many owners may claim, "My dog is not food-oriented." However, it is an inherent instinct of any canine to survive, and to do so, they require food and water. If these essentials are not available to them, they will continue moving until they find them.

In summary:

• Do not call, chase, or attempt to grab the lost dog.

• Keep sightings private.

• Provide food and water.

By following these steps, you are working towards fulfilling your dog's basic needs in a lost environment, ensuring their safety and well-being while plans for recapture are made, whether through manual capture, trapping, or tranquillisation.

Concerns often arise about the long-term behaviour of a dog that was in flight mode once it has been recaptured. However, it's important to note that many dogs instantly revert out of survival mode. For others, it may take a few days or weeks, but once their system returns to normal and they recognise they are safe, they will gradually transition out of flight mode.

In conclusion, Survival Mode, also known as Fight or Flight Mode, is an instinctual response deeply ingrained in every dog's nature. This mechanism has evolved over generations, fine-tuned to help dogs survive in stressful or threatening situations by prompting either a fight or flight reaction. When a dog encounters a triggering stimulus, they experiences various physiological changes to prepare for confrontation or escape.

While these responses are essential for survival, prolonged or frequent activation of the fight or flight response can negatively impact a dog's health and well-being. Therefore, it's crucial to identify when a lost dog is in survival mode or displaying flight tendencies.

During this phase, the lost dog prioritises three key elements: food, water, and safety. Changing the strategy becomes paramount to ensure the dog's well-being and safety. The primary focus of the search and rescue (SAR) strategy should be to prioritise the lost dog's welfare.

Remember these key points:

• Do not call, chase, or attempt to grab the lost dog.

• Keep sightings private.

• Provide food and water.

It's worth noting that many dogs will quickly transition out of survival mode once they recognise they are safe, while others may take a bit more time. 

Ultimately, understanding and addressing the fight or flight response is essential for a successful and humane approach to helping lost dogs return to safety.