God I'm so stupid. My dog is going to be stolen isn't he

[SmileAndNod]

So a workman just visited the house, said aah you've got a beagle pup how old is he my wife loves them - can I take a photo? Not thinking I said yes. He knew his name as I called him and a bit later asked how much they sell for.

Good God I'm so stupid aren't I? Sometimes going to steal my baby aren't they? Why am I so trusting? I'm not fit to be a mum really..

Er no. It's a lot more likely he genuinely liked the dog and wanted to show his wife. For a start presumably you know who he is / could trace him if he did steal your dog.

I've had similar conversations with people about my dog Smile and like you have panicked afterwards and thought about all the questions they asked me 'how much does a dog like that sell for' was one that afterwards left me thinking, is he working how much he can get for my dog if he steals it from me?

I had that particular conversation about 2 years ago, so unless he's playing a long game I think he was just asking out of interest - she's very cute looking and people like to make a fuss of her:)

I've also had complete strangers in the street ask to take photos of her. That always used to make me a bit worried about their motives as I would never want a photo of a strange person's dog, but some people obviously do.

You've got a cute Beagle pup, people will ask you about him and admire him.

Try no to worry. As Haggis says, if he was working at your house you must have a pretty good idea who he is or who he's working for.

My mum should have a house full of dogs based on your OP. She has no qualms about going up to total strangers with dogs - especially Yorkshire Terriers. She had dogs herself but is without one at the moment. Enjoy the attention you will get - I wish I was a dog person - it seems to make striking up conversations so easy

He does get a lot of attention, as he is rather cute if a bit naughtybut I've never had anyone ask for a photo! I think it was my crippling anxiety getting the better of me. The dog was supposed to help relax me FFS not give me new things to worry about.
The letting agent sent him round to fit a monitor, Ithink his name was John but I even let him in without ID. I really am stupid...

Smileandnod - you sound like a lovely caring dog owner. But I beg you, please stop calling yourself stupid. Be kind to yourself and I hope your anxiety improves

Is your beagle microchipped? If he's not, do get him done, as it's a very quick way for vets to identify stolen dogs and can help them be returned much more quickly. I'd also get him neutered, when he's an appropriate age, as that would make him less attractive to potential thieves, as well as making sense for lots of other reasons!

Yes he is micro chipped. We are hoping to get him neutered but we need permission from his breeder to do so. I'm sure they won't refuse as they knew he was always going to be a pet and not used for show (he's from show lines) or breeding.

People just like puppies, I had a couple of people take photos of my dog when he was little, it is a bit odd, but hey, people take photos of their dinner, so...

If it was a solicitor would you think the same?

You need permission to get him neutered? Surely it's up to you what you do with your own dog!

Waitrose that's just what I was thinking. Hard working men who happen to wear work clothes rather than suits are not the scourge of society.

He likes puppies.

My DH has a construction business and loves dogs. I hope people don't think like this when he makes a fuss of other people's dogs, he loves animals.

People often take pictures of ddog2, who has very unusual colouring and markings and want to ask about what he is etc.

I wouldn't worry at all about someone at the house, but have felt concerned on two occasions when out when some groups of men showed agressive interest. I do make a point of slipping in that both dogs are neutered and neither of them have any prey drive or interest in following a lure.

Oh for goodness sake. Nothing to do with the business he was in. My DH used to visit houses to work as part of his job and drove a van. That work (literally) kept us of the streets so no prejudice from me there. He's never taken photos of randomers dogs though

It was in our contract with the breeder to ask before neutering, I'm sure they would have no reason to say no. There are so many conflicting views as to when to get it done that bit I am finding confusing.

Like I say, my anxiety was sky high yesterday, I'm feeling a little more rational today!

Pedigree breeders don't normally require permission for you to neuter a dog once you've bought it unless they've retained breeding rights, which is very very unusual in a dog they've let go to a pet home. The reverse is normally true, actually - puppies are endorsed 'not for breeding' and if owners want to have a litter from their dog they have to apply for the endorsement to be lifted, so any puppies can be KC registered.

I sympathise, though - I'm not generally anxious but I do worry about someone stealing my lovely old dog. It's one of my secret middle of the night worries.

Yes we do have those endorsements on his KC papers, along with endorsements against export and something else that I can't remember. We still intend on getting him done. He's 4 months now, vet suggested 6 months but he's still so young. I need to do more research.

Have you joined the breed club? Beagles are adorable dogs but they can be quite challenging when it comes to training - if you're naturally anxious it might help to know you're not alone!

I going with the general consensus here. It's because your pup is cute . I walk my Saint in darkness away from people. If I didn't the 20 minute walk would take me up to an hour! I'm v antisocial

Somewhere in Japan there is possibly a family with pictures of baby me. My parents had an antique coach built Silver Cross pram for me. I'm from a tourist town, one day a Japanese family asked if they could take photos of it (so I feature in some) as they thought it was beautiful.

Congrats on your new puppy, and good luck! Beagles are amazing but I have to say, training a beagle pup is not a relaxing experience... Feel free to DM me for tips or if you just need to vent

Yep training is an ongoing battle issue. We knew they were stubborn but my word he really is. Still we love him anyway

tinymeteor will keep you in mind thank you!

not sure taking a photo means someone's going to steal your beloved dpup. I have heard of ddogs being taken from houses, but i think its thankfully rare?

Most of the ones i hear of are when out walking/vans, or from ddogs left tied up somewhere. Posing with ddogs of their own and hanging around popular dog walkers' haunts.

As ffor neutering, let him fully mature first so that he grows properly. I've not heard of breeders preventing/demanding permission for this, but the opposite, that progency are endorsed for export /breeding so cannot be registered or taken abroad legally, as they are under contract not to.

4 months is way too young to be considering it though, for a bitch she should have a season or two, and a boy til fully grown, unless experiencing speciffic maleness issues before then

Why would you need permission to get him neutered?

Permission to breed from him, I could understand, as we had this on our dog's papers from the breeder.