Frequently Asked Questions

All service begins with completion of the Client Inquiry Form.  You must complete that form to begin any/all services with K9 Trackers as there is certain information that helps the Tracker determine what type of service you may or may not need.

Payment is due within two (2) hours of reciept of invoice in order to hold your appointment time. Tracker does not leave home prior to invoice being paid in full. Learn more about Tracking Fees here. 

YES, we can! In fact, if your pet has only been missing a short time or there is a reported sighting within the past 24-48 hours, you actually don't need a Tracker but need a Trapper. You can learn more and see our list of recommended Trappers here. 

If it HAS been more than three (3) days since your pet went missing, then we want to set up your FREE phone consultation so head on over to our Client Inquiry Form so we can chat with you and get your Track set up! Don't stress, your pet's odor will still be there after 48 hours, sometimes even longer! Scent Specific Track/Trail Dogs can track up to 30 days from time of loss, depending on their training styles. 

HOWEVER, if it's been more than three weeks since your dog has been seen or more than thirty days since your cat has been seen then we may ask for another sighting before we set up a Track. It's better to wait for a sighting! 

It depends on the situation.  If you have dedicated scent articles for each of your pets, then YES! If you don't have a dedicated scent article for each pet, then we would have to cancel out any pet that has returned home. This means the Tracking Dog will need to walk past them prior to SCENTING up for the track so they know that's NOT the animal they are looking for. 

As long as all of your pets didn't leave the yard, we are still good to track using a communal pet item as long as you didn't walk your other animals in that area.  If there is a confirmed sighting, picture or owner's report, we can track from the sighting.

Yes, you can put familiar items out for your pet. However, if you are considering using a Tracking Dog, please DO NOT put out your pet's bed if that is your only scent article because you don't know what will come in contact with that article, and it will now be contaminated.  

Our recommendation? Put out something that smells like you! You are their favorite scent, right?

Rain does not negatively impact odor!  Yes, rain can wash away odor some, but a trained dog can work through the wash and still follow your pet's odor. In fact, damp ground enhances odor.  

Consider this: If dogs couldn't track/detect odor in wet conditions, Police/Search & Rescue Teams would never be able to recover people from bodies of water.

When pets first go missing, during those first 24-48 hours, they are typically in flight mode. They tend to be moving, to prevent being prey, and they are actually attempting to make their way home. This is a state of mind similar to us and adrenaline. Most Trackers will wait until they feel your Pet is out of flight mode before beginning a Track to increase their chances of success. 

Exceptions are made for older pets, pets under ten (10) pounds and pets that are known or potentially injured. These animals tend to "hunker down" in place. We will ask about this in our Client Inquiry Form. 

If your pet has only been missing a short time or there is a reported sighting within the past 24-48 hours, you actually don't need a Tracker and we actually recommend a Trapper. You can learn more and see our list of recommended Trappers here. 

You should get to that location as soon as possible!  Take food, treats and another family dog if you have more than one.  

Make sure to implement Calming Strategies, they are probably stressed! Get LOW to the ground, be QUIET and CALM. Let your other dog out ON LEASH to draw your missing pet in. TALK in conversational tones, allow your pet to cue in on the familiar tone, give your pet a chance to SMELL you... when you see your pet RECOGNIZE you REMAIN CALM until they are SAFE IN YOUR ARMS!   

There is a non-refundable deposit of $150 for holding your appointment time, because it takes time away from another lost pet.  You will get a full refund of the balance, unless the Tracker has already left home.  Then you may lose a portion of the mileage depending on how far the Tracker has traveled. Additional fees may be incurred if there are flights, hotels and rental car reservations.

There is a non-refundable deposit of $150 for holding your appointment time, because it takes time away from another lost pet.  You will get a full refund of the balance, unless the Tracker has already left home.  Then you may lose a portion of the mileage depending on how far the Tracker has traveled. Additional fees may be incurred if there are flights, hotels and rental car reservations.