If Mutt runs off, first work out which situation you're actually dealing with.

If Mutt runs off, first work out which situation you're actually dealing with. If you told him to Stay, call him back. If you deliberately sent him home, collect him through Theresa at the mill. Neither of those means you've lost him because you failed to feed him. The actual runaway happens when his obedience reaches zero. Getting battered in combat can push it down, including hits from Henry, and neglecting his care or feeding bad meat won't help you maintain it. Once he's fled, repeatedly using Heel won't immediately bring him back. Normally he returns on his own after some time. You don't have to chase him through the woods or start recruiting him all over again. When he returns, check his obedience and give him food and praise before sending him into another fight. Faithful Companion, available at level eight, gives an extra ten obedience when he comes back. That's a recovery bonus, not permission to ignore what is happening to him during every battle. Mutt running away also doesn't mean he's permanently dead. If he's taking a beating, getting Henry out of the fight and recalling him is more sensible than staying in the same crowd trying to force another command. Keep him fed, choose his jobs and check his obedience. You get a lot more use out of him that way.