Dog Owner Behaviour - was I unreasonable? I honestly don't know if I was.

[PMDD]

I am a first time dog owner. I don't know if I was right doing this or not and I would really appreciate your honest feedback.

I took my 3 children and 3 other children to ski club yesterday that ran from 10-4. It was a 2.5 hour drive from where I live (but very close to my mum so I was happy to drive and combine the trip for the children with a day visit with my mum).

As I would be out of the house for at least 12 hours I needed to take my 5 month labrador puppy with me, and then mum could see my dog too and would could have a walk etc.

When I got to the ski place I took my dog out of the car as she had been in the boot for a long drive. However, I couldn't take the dog into the ski centre. I tied her up outside the front door. I do this in the village where I live if I go to a shop. It is normal practice around here.

I was expecting to just be able to drop the children off and it would be 5 mins. However, when I got there I actually needed to help the children get their ski boots on. As there were 6 children, I was in the building 20-25 mins. I did go out to check on my dog after 10 mins, and she was sitting quietly. However, after I checked on her she then started barking.

When I came out to untie her and take her to my mums, a woman really shouted at me for being cruel. She said that as it was raining (not pouring, just light drizzle, and it was mild) I shouldn't have left her outside. She was phoning the RSPCA. I said she was being ridiculous and my dog had a waterproof coat and I was only gone 20 mins.

I walked off, but have been thinking about it more. Was I wrong? Is that too long to leave a dog outside?

[ilovedogsandcats]

Not cruel. I wouldn't tie a dog up outside due to theft risk. Not due to pedigree/breeding but dog baiting

[ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie]

Report in our local paper just this week of a stolen whippet. Last seen being put in a transit by three men who drove off in a hurry. It happens …

[ADishBestEatenCold]

In my opinion you did absolutely the wrong thing, PMDD, in leaving your puppy tied up alone in a strange place, for nearly half an hour.

As lots of posters have explained, you were very lucky on this occasion and your puppy wasn't stolen; didn't get attacked by a loose dog; didn't bite anyone in this stressful situation; wasn't abused by passersby; didn't get loose and run over; etc etc.

In fact, it seems that on this occasion the worst that has happened is that you have taught your puppy that incredibly annoying (possible habit) of barking when tied or left, but please please do not convince yourself that your puppy was happy, content and not at all stressed throughout the (near) half hour.

Having said all that, you do sound as if you genuinely care, and I can't imagine you'll do this again, having now heard about all the potential dangers, from so many posters.

Enjoy all those wonderful years ahead, with your dog.

[Sunflower49]

It was me who began the thread in the 'Doghouse' regarding tying dogs up outside shops-It's worth a read.
And yes I agree 110% with Topseyt-please don't breed :(

[sykadelic15]

Okay phew! I've never heard the back of an SUV or whatever called a boot/truck... only ever "the back" or "behind the back seat". Boot/truck usually implies a closed in boot/truck. I was really that someone would lock a dog for hours in the enclosed boot of a vehicle!

[Slipshodsibyl]

And please read Topseyt's advice before you breed. It is an expensive undertaking in money and time to do it properly

[Caitlin17]

You were very unreasonable leaving her tied up outside for that length of time. Dogs do get distressed when that happens. She wouldn't have appeared distressed when you went to check as she will calm down when she sees you. You didn't see her when she was on her own.

[Slipshodsibyl]

It is absolutely not cruel for a gun dog to be in the rain! She would have been safer and felt more secure in the familiar setting of the car. The only real problem with being in the boot of a saloon car for a while is lack of air, though No doubt she would prefer to be able to see out. Don't listen to those who anthropomorphise animals.

[MissyO]

I don't think people should leave dogs tied by an entrance door.It is not fair on people who don't like dogs, to be forced to be so near.Why have idiots at school that do this.They tie their dogs near the school gate which is only 3 foot wide and on a narroe pavement and you see kids cowering, too frightened to pass til the dog is moved.

[BurningBridges]

Years ago we were looking after a friends' spaniel and we tied it up to a sign outside a shop - you know those sort of swinging A board signs on a metal frame? We were gone for about 2 minutes and heard a terrible commotion outside - the dog had been scared and hurtled off down the road, still attached to the sign. Luckily it was a safe area and dog was fine. And of course you didn't tie your dog to something that would move!

Anything can happen, as someone said earlier its like leaving a toddler outside a shop - I know you didn't mean to be unkind etc., and I don't agree with the woman calling the RSPCA, but maybe be a bit more thoughtful to your dog in future. People do all sorts of things that are essentially cruel but with the very best of intentions.

BTW where we live now, a pedigree tied up outside would be stolen within seconds.

[JohnCusacksWife]

Gosh, this thread has made me feel like a bad dog owner. I leave my dog outside the paper shop every morning when I nip into get the paper or tied up in the playground if I have to nip into the school office for something. Only for 5 mins, mind, not any longer. Have to say it never really occurred to me that I shouldn't! It's common practice round here and I've never heard of anything happening to any dog.

[tabulahrasa]

Makes = males

[tabulahrasa]

Dog theft isn't massively rare...I mean I'd guess less common than car theft, but way way more common than child theft.

You can't tell whether dogs are neutered from a quick look - not always makes even...I can tell my boy is, but, only because they were, um, fairly impressive, rofl - he still however looks like he has something there and with a quick glance it would be hard to tell.

I worry more about him being approached by people or other dogs tbh - or things like getting loose. I've caught someone's dog before as its collar broke and it tried to run off into traffic... The owner was in a shop for a good ten minutes before I could give it back, if I hadn't caught it, I can't see how it wouldn't have been hit by a car.

[JohnnyBarthes]

A sedan is a saloon, yes? Surely nobody puts their dog in the boot of a saloon

[eurochick]

I'd leave a dog (not that we have one anymore ) outside the local newsagents while I nip in quickly but that would be my limit as I would be worried about theft/someone being cruel to her while she couldn't get away. In your circs I would have left her in the car as it was presumably a cool day (never do it in the summer though).

[VeryStressedMum]

Yes you should only ever put a dog into a hatchback or estate boot never a sedan, that's just cruel imo.

[JohnnyBarthes]

lololol at AnyoneforTurps and the mad brolly woman.

[Greydog]

Would never leave houndie tied up anywhere. Could slip her collar, could be stolen, could be attacked by another dog. At the moment by us a charming person is leaving dog treats out with rat poison, so no trust no one.

[HellomynameisIcklePickle]

Most dog owners have a hatchback type boot you silly - much safer for them to be in the boot of that than the back seat. We have a dog guard up and vet bed down and a Road Refresher which is a no spill bowl of water so it is very cosy.

[sykadelic15]

You put your dog in the BOOT of a car? Like a sedan boot? No windows, no light? Or do you mean back seat? Or do you mean you have an SUV or wagon so really it's the back not an enclosed boot?

Obviously I'm misunderstanding because no-one else has mentioned the boot thing which I would NEVER ever ever ever do. It's dangerous for a person to be locked in a boot and I imagine the same for any living creature so there's got to be a lost-in-translation thing here...

The rain thing though - I would not leave my dogs outside in the rain, but you said she was wearing a waterproof coat and didn't mention it was raining when you went in. You also said you checked on her and you were within hearing range so heard her barking so it's all pretty reasonable. As others said though the risk of theft, injury or someone claiming your dog hurt them is high so I probably would have let her out to pee and put her back in the car while I sorted the kids, then taken her out again before leaving (if I hadn't had enough time the first time for a good stretch).

[Peacocklady]

Fine in theory but my mums dog was stolen from outside a shop, got her back luckily. I can't leave mine tied up as she gets nervous and jumpy since she was attacked by a staffie whilst tied up and she couldn't escape. It went for her neck and luckily only managed to get her collar. I'd have left her in the car for a short while if it's not hot, she's happy there.

[yummumto3girls]

I think the puppy was too young to be left somewhere out of sight for so long, it would have been very stressful for her, I expect she would have got a lot of attention which I would have wanted to oversee. As others have said I would have worried about her being stolen. It's not at all surprising that 6 children would have needed your help, she should have been left in the car.

[ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie]

Yes I'm sorry to say dogs do get stolen (in answer to the question above). I have a retired greyhound and was once approached by someone who made me a bit suspicious. I immediately told him the dog was old and lame (true). The irony being that retired greyhounds are ten a penny and can suffer dreadful treatment once they retire from "legitimate" racing , so are generally free to a good home.

Another one who says please, please don't breed from your lovely dog. There are already too many dogs without a home.

[phlebasconsidered]

Dog theft is endemic where we live. We have a large traveller site in town and they regularly steal dogs and miraculously "find" them in return for a reward. It's happened to five people I know, from their own gardens! Let alone from outside shops. It got so bad the police posted notices everywhere about it. And you're lucky if you just get stung for reward money: at least you see your dog again. If the dog is of the right breed, it'll end up in local dog fights or hare coursing. Even the rescue centres round here have posters up of locals who visit them to "save" dogs, when they're really having them to use as bait. It's very real, i'm afraid.

My own lab/cocker cross is so daftly loving to ANYONE I can't leave him tied up. He'd be off with anyone within a minute if they showed him a biscuit.