Securing your dog outside the shops

lizzyb1812

Depends on the shop for me - one shop within walking distance for me has rings to tie dogs' leads to in the shade, water bowl near by, shop away from road because of car park but most customers are locals and lots are on foot. Lots of people leave their dogs there for a few mins, including me. Another shop within walking distance is on a main road with mostly passing trade for customers - I don't take the dog there.

I wouldn't go so far as buying a special collar, muzzle etc - I'd decide where I thought it was safe to leave a dog. Re the muzzle - has it not occurred to you that stealing a dog might be easier if it was muzzled? And that a muzzled SBT might be an appealing target for some people?

olias

Security leads?

Surely if someone wanted to steal it, they could just pull it's collar over its head and off? Or am I missing something?

Olias

Person_one

olias wrote: »

Security leads?

Surely if someone wanted to steal it, they could just pull it's collar over its head and off? Or am I missing something?

Olias

Or cut through the collar.

Safer to just make two trips really, however low the risk the benefit is not great enough to make it worth taking. Lose my dog or have my dog hurt because I couldn't be bothered coming back out for milk after I dropped them at home?

littlerat

The only place I ever tie mine up is outside our doctors surgery - as due to the windows I can watch him constantly. He's not a dog who would ever bite or anything (and I'm not one of those people who would assume any dog I own wouldn't bite!) and wouldn't do it if busy either.

He's a golden retriever who weighs over 45kg though, and if he doesn't wan tto go anywhere, lies down. The chance of anyone managing to steal him is slim

All that said - I'd still not do it anywhere I couldn't watch him (and the surrounding area in case of seeing other dogs etc).

The fact is I'm in a small village in Cornwall and realistically think I'd not have to worry - but the risk seems odd to take if not needed.

blue_monkey_2

olias wrote: »

Security leads?

Surely if someone wanted to steal it, they could just pull it's collar over its head and off? Or am I missing something?

Olias

No, the lead would not come off over the head, it is riveted with fixed rivets and a security lock on the lead and the collar so they cannot be removed. No collar should come off over a dogs head anyway.

The lead and collar has a thick metal rope running through it with a lock each end so if they are going to cut it, it will have to be with some form of bolt or metal cutter. However, it looks like a normal lead.

Yes it could be cut if someone had bolt cutters but the chances of that are....? Probably the same as having a knife pulled on me by a dognapper while I was walking her I guess - people like that will do what they have to in order to get a dog. My husbands friend actually had his dog taken from his back garden so they are never safe unless they are actually with you 24/7.

They would probably dump her soon after they realised she had been spayed anyway. I think a lot of what people are suggesting could happen, are things that can happen anywhere, not just when outside a shop. She could be attacked while walking or a child could get bitten while out walking too.

I left my other dog (a staff cross) outside the shop and some blokes were hanging around her. I took her from the post and wandered off and it turned out they wanted to get into the boot of their car but because she was there they would not and waited until I had taken her off the post. She chews through her leads so I had to stop leaving her, this lead would also mean she could not get though the lead if she chewed it.

It's not about 'not being bothered to go and get milk' it is because I am paying a few quid to drive to and from the shop when I could be walking with the dogs. It now costs £70 to fill up my car and I can cut back on this by doing my daily trip to the PO on foot, but I cannot spend an hour walking to the shop and back and then another hour walking the dogs so I drive to the shops, it makes perfect sense to combine the 2 and save some money to boot.

It is quite ridiculous though tbh. I should be able to walk to the shops with the dog and leave her there without the fear of thinking someone will take off with her and steal her.

Shepherd1

You are right you should be able to take your dog and in an ideal world I would. I am exactly the same as you I take the car to the shop in the morning and then come back and take the dog out and I would love to just walk to the shop with her.

I will not take that risk though seeing the dog that was attacked with both his hind quarters covered in stitches is a sight I won't forget. A dog tied to a post cannot protect itself and has even less chance if muzzled, I cannot imagine the fear a dog in that possition would be in.

Kaelea

one of many reasons why I'll not leave a dog outside a shop

http://menmedia.co.uk/rochdaleobserver/news/s/1459169_help-catch-the-thug-who-blinded-shih-tzu-dog-outside-littleborough-shop

blue_monkey_2

I've decided I am going to start walking again. It's like having kids and not letting them do anything because there is a chance something might happen.

As I say, my hubbies friend had his dog stolen from his back garden - do you never let your dog in the garden again? And if you let your dog off, is there not a chance it could be lured over to someone, then clip it on a lead and leg it or chuck the dog into a car or van in a car park and drive off? Do you stop walking your dog just in case? A bloke with a stick tried to attack my puppy while she was off the lead.

We can sit here and say 'what if' over and over but just what are the chances - as much of a chance if you let your dog walk off lead if we are honest. Any dog can be lured with a piece of ham, let's be honest. Dogs can also be attacked while out walking (mine are walked on leads so would be in the same situation) and there is minimal chance of them being attacked at the shops where there are no dogs off leads (where I go anyway). If I left her in the car there is nothing to say someone might not break into the car and take her - it's only a window to break.

I am going to buy a couple of the petloc leads today so at least I can secure them and not worry that someone randomly walking past might not take her and then I am going to start walking again. I think we are getting too cautious over something that may or may not happen - especially when there is a precaution you can take to prevent it. If someone is determined to nick a dog, they will do it by whatever means and will no doubt have no problem in pulling a knife to get your dog off you either. Do you stop walking in case that happens?

Person_one

blue_monkey wrote: »

I've decided I am going to start walking again. It's like having kids and not letting them do anything because there is a chance something might happen.

Its more like having kids and leaving them in their buggy outside the shop while you go in. People used to do it all the time but most realise its not worth the risk these days.

You'll do what you want though, most of us do! I truly hope you don't regret it.

WestieFan

I would never leave my dog tied up outside a shop. I have heard that dog-baiting rings are looking for any kind of dog, not just pure-breeds). Also, when I was looking for insurance for my dog I noticed in the T&Cs that any claims would not be entertained if dog had been left unsupervised, ie outside a shop, tied up or not. If your dog is insured, might be worth checking that policy!