Leaving dogs tied up outside school.

[LumpyMcBentface]

Ds2 has just started school and I noticed lots of dogs tied up outside the gate. Brilliant, I thought, I'll bring DDog and then that's her two walks a day sorted.

So yesterday I left her outside the gate while I did pickup. She was fine, didn't even yap. However, as we left another mum said 'oh but she's so tiny, anyone could just walk off with her'.

So now I'm anxious about taking her again. She is tiny (chi cross). The school entrance is down a rural footpath (hence lots of people walking their dogs) so it's not like it's on a main road open to view.

How likely is it that someone would dog nap my baby?

Its possible, but as a dog lover, owner and trainer this is a risky move. It would be easy for some to dog nap I'm afraid but actually there are other dangers. Say a child ran up and pulled your dog's tale or stroked them roughly, got into their face etc and made them snap or growl, or even jump up. By law if that child is hurt or even feels threatened by your dog (or anyone's) you could fall foul of the dangerous dog's act. Even if your dog was minding its own business previously. If you're not there to supervise, its not a good idea. Sorry OP i wouldn't risk it based on that

Oh gosh, I never thought of that. Although she's the friendliest thing ever.

There are at least six other dogs there though, tethered along the railings. So safety in numbers maybe?

I wouldn't, for both of the reasons mentioned above. I have the soppiest dog in the world who loves everyone but, a. there is always a first time for him to snap when he feels under stress and alone surrounded by strangers, b. someone might well interpret something he does as threatening when it wasn't.

Can you ask your child to meet you at the gate? Perhaps not now but when she is more settled in school and confident?

You can get "lockable" dog leads which aren't removable from their collars or from the handle bit. That might help your worry of theft?

If it's that tiny can't you just carry it into school? We have a row of dogs outside our school just like yours but anyone with a small enough dog carries them in.

This week a dog was taken from outside shop.

They had had the puppy 2 days, it wasn't microchipped, the owner says they didn't know the breeder should have done it.

From I have seen, it hasn't been seen since.

It's not worth the risk , imo.