Springvale South, VIC Lost Male Dog, Charlie Is Missing

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Paloma K.

1 week ago

Bump 🐾❤️🙏🏼❤️🐾

Melissa H.

1 week ago

Li Su I have tried calling your number but it doesn't accept calls. I also sent you a text message. I believe I saw him this morning around coomoora reserve. I spotted him and followed down serpentine Rd, down coomoora to the end then he ran along the bypass trail where I lost sight of him where the bushland is. He was very fast and scared of my dog so I sent my daughter out on her bike but she can't see him.

Rita B.

2 weeks ago

Debbie Moore thank you for posting this. I have seen posts where owners have left clothes and the dogs have been lying on the clothes for the next morning.

Julie H.

2 weeks ago

How does one so young go missing so sad for this precious furbaby

Sharon R.

2 weeks ago

Hope Charlie is reunited with you soon 🙏🐶💙shared your post

Debbie M.

2 weeks ago

Dogs in Flight Mode (Also Known as Survival Mode): What It Is and How to Help When a dog goes missing and days pass without a single sighting, the worry can feel overwhelming. You might wonder: Why hasn’t anyone seen them? Why won’t they come when called? How can a beloved dog vanish into thin air? The answer often lies in something called flight mode—also known as survival mode—a powerful, involuntary response that helps dogs survive perceived danger. Understanding this state is essential if you want to bring a lost dog home safely. 🧠 What Is Flight Mode (aka Survival Mode)? Flight mode, sometimes referred to as survival mode, is not DISOBEDIENCE. It’s NOT POOR TRAINING It’s not that your dog doesn’t love you. It’s a neurobiological reaction to stress and fear, deeply wired into a dog’s nervous system. When a dog experiences something frightening—like storms, fireworks, being looked after , an accident, being rehomed, or even just getting lost—they may go into a state of extreme survival instinct. In this state, their body and brain prepare for one thing only: escape. They’re not “choosing” to run—they physically and mentally can’t do anything else. ⚡ What Happens Inside the Dog’s Brain? When fear kicks in, the amygdala (the brain’s fear centre) takes over. Within seconds: * Adrenaline surges, pushing blood to the muscles and speeding up breathing and heart rate. * Cortisol floods the system, keeping them in a hyper-alert state. * The part of the brain that handles logic, memory, and recognition gets suppressed. This means: * Your dog might not recognise your voice or even your face. * They likely won’t respond to their name, whistles, or familiar commands. * Instead of running to safety, they run from everything—even you. Even confident, well-trained dogs can enter flight/survival mode under stress. It’s instinct, not choice. 🚫 What Not to Do As humans, our first instinct is to call out, search the area, or try to chase a dog we’ve spotted. But for a dog in flight (or survival) mode, those actions feel like pressure or even threat. Avoid: * ❌ Shouting or calling (can sound like anger to a frightened dog) * ❌ Chasing or approaching directly (triggers escape reflex) * ❌ Bringing crowds of people to help search These can make the dog flee farther or into dangerous areas. ✅ What You Should Do If you believe a dog is in flight/survival mode, take a calm and strategic approach: 1. Stop having people actively search unless advised – Reduce human activity in the area. Don’t have anyone come to search. 2. Create a scent base – Leave unwashed clothing or bedding where the dog was last seen, collect some of your wee and pour it around this spot or onto some wood. 3. Set up a quiet feeding station – Offer food and water in a low-traffic spot. If you see them don’t call out or move just stop, sit down turn side on or have your back to them & avoid eye contact. 4. Use trail cameras – These help track the dog’s movements without human interference. 5. Log all sightings immediately – Include time, location, direction of travel, and behaviour. 6. Stay consistent – Changing tactics too often can disrupt progress. Small amount of food out late evening and checked early morning, ( don’t put a lot out as you want them to keep coming back instead of being full and staying away ) Patience is key. If sighted - stop where you are and sit down, do not call out or approach, don’t call their name,instead say good girl/boy …. ( what ever their name is). Say words or phrases you use at home that gets them excited or happy and avoid direct eye contact. ⏳ How Long Can It Last? Some dogs calm down within hours. Others, especially rescues or dogs with trauma histories, can remain in flight/survival mode for days or even weeks. Over time, most dogs begin to relax when: * They’re no longer being pursued * A consistent food source appears * They feel safe and undisturbed * Familiar scents start to reappear That’s when recovery becomes possible—through either a slow reintroduction or a humane trap.

Debbie M.

2 weeks ago