Getting anxities re pedigree pup

[Newpupwoah]

Our new pup arrives in a couple.

It's a pedigree and we've paid alot of money.

It's my dream dog, have wanted one since I had one as a child.

Things have come together and we've got a really good set up to have this dog now.

Told a DF about the pups' arrival and she said she'd constantly be worried about it being stolen as it's valuable.

All my future images of being out and about with the dog are now tainted with worries about always being en guard about theives.

AIBU? How likely is it that someone would want?

Take standard precautions such as not leaving your dog unattended
It has never been a concern for me to be honest

Sometimes dogs are stolen but you can prevent this by taking sensible precautions. I would never leave mine tied up outside the shop For example
It’s normal to have a wobble before bringing home a pup!

What breed is it?
I would take all sensible precautions and then move on from worrying as there is only so much you can control.

Whilst I worried about lots of things, pup being stolen wasn't one of them.

Get it microchipped and a tag on its collar that's says 'microchipped' and get a new one with 'neutered' on it when you do that.
Don't leave the dog unattended anywhere. Certainly never leave in a car (friend had her beat up car stolen with dog inside and he was never found).

I don't think you need to be too nervous, just be careful. Don't leave your dog unattended - not in your car and certainly not tied up outside a shop. I don't like leaving mine unattended in the garden either. I carry a personal alarm in my pocket on walks, but I did anyway before I got the dog. I don't allow her to have treats off other dog walkers, as I know she's less likely to approach someone if they call her. I mix up my walk routes, e.g. don't walk the same route every Wednesday. And don't walk along on your phone/earphones in, concentrate on your dog (important for many reasons not just security).

You can also use an additional clip to double attach a lead to harness (not sure this would be comfortable on a collar). You could also use a waist belt to avoid having the lead snatched from your hand if you are worried.

I think it is less common than we think, it’s just it really hits the news when it happens.
PPs have made good suggestions, just be alert, focus on training so that pup is really bonded to you and enjoy your pup.

I live in an area which was rife for young males being targeted as training bait for fighting dogs for a while, so I really understand the concern. But these days, my old boy would kick up such a fuss at being taken from his mum, plus can be immoveable at times, that I am more relaxed.

The numbers of dogs stolen were incredibly small even when there was supposed to be a frenzy of dognappings when dog prices were at their peak. Don't leave him outside shops on his own and the chances of someone taking him are miniscule.

Yes, pedigree dogs are a goldmine for thieves. We have lots of thefts around us. We take the following precautions:

Double lock doors
Cameras everywhere
Gps
Microchip
Make sure all friends and relatives are aware of precautions too
Don’t use kennels for holidays
Don’t tell strangers you have a pedigree dog
Never let her out of sight on walks
Never let strangers pet her
Be hypervigilant of suspicious questions - e.g. how old is she, is she spayed, where do you live, do you come to this park often?
Blur your address on her collar on social media piks

I think it’s more popular breeds that are targeted rather than pedigree. Lots of pedigrees are so rare nobody knows or cares what they are!

If it’s brachy (frenchies, bullies and pugs I’m looking at you) a crazy colour that makes it stand out or something like a lab that lives outside then I would be more worried. Otherwise just take sensible precautions like never leaving it alone outside or outside of shops/in your car and I’m sure it will be fine!

All the thefts I've seen (normally on the local Facebook pages but not local) have been either dog walkers vans or kennels. Haven't seen any dog knapping.

Surely most pedigrees without papers aren't all that valuable anyway?

@InkySquid

Whilst I worried about lots of things, pup being stolen wasn't one of them.

Yep Your puppy being stolen is the least of your worries At one point I kind of wished mine would be Love him now though

@WhiteXmas21

I think it is less common than we think, it’s just it really hits the news when it happens. PPs have made good suggestions, just be alert, focus on training so that pup is really bonded to you and enjoy your pup.

I live in an area which was rife for young males being targeted as training bait for fighting dogs for a while, so I really understand the concern. But these days, my old boy would kick up such a fuss at being taken from his mum, plus can be immoveable at times, that I am more relaxed.

I think I must be nieve - I thought dogs were stolen to be sold for pets, I never thought about them being used for fighting.

How horrific. Is this certain breads only?

Thanks for all.the precaution ideas that's great. Stuff I hadn't considered there.

Dogs are stolen but it's still incredibly unlikely. Just take sensible precautions.

• don't leave them unattended in public, that includes in the car and the garden
• make sure he/she is chipped and wears an ID tag as per the law.
• only let them off lead once you know they have bombproof recall.
• keep an eye on your surroundings when on walks and don't walk around with earphones etc. in.
• vary the time and location of your walks so people can't pick up on your habits
• you could also invest in a GPS tracker but any would-be thief would likely remove it.

Not really. At the time ( and it has slowed down) it was pretty much any breed but smaller types were vulnerable, such as spaniels. It’s horrific what people will do.

I have two pedigree Chihuahuas of desirable colours.We have security cameras front and back and a house alarm.

@InkySquid

All the thefts I've seen (normally on the local Facebook pages but not local) have been either dog walkers vans or kennels. Haven't seen any dog knapping.

Surely most pedigrees without papers aren't all that valuable anyway?

Thieves and puppy farmers don't care about papers.

They'll produce false papers or just sell them online to people who don't care.

Our dog is little, white, fluffy, and very cute. He also loves everyone. I never ever leave him alone, such as outside a shop.

We live in an apartment so when he is out he is always with us.

Just take sensible precautions.

Thieves and puppy farmers don't care about papers.

They'll produce false papers or just sell them online to people who don't care.

If they're faking papers anyway, why would a dog with a good pedigree be more at risk of being stolen than a dog rescued from a puppy farm? I would think the biggest risk is having a puppy of a breed that is the current fashion - so e.g. I'd worry more about my dog being stolen if it was a miniature daschund irrespective of pedigree than a kc registered lab.

@InkySquid

Thieves and puppy farmers don't care about papers.

They'll produce false papers or just sell them online to people who don't care.

If they're faking papers anyway, why would a dog with a good pedigree be more at risk of being stolen than a dog rescued from a puppy farm? I would think the biggest risk is having a puppy of a breed that is the current fashion - so e.g. I'd worry more about my dog being stolen if it was a miniature daschund irrespective of pedigree than a kc registered lab.

Appearance.

Dog thefts are a huge thing. A little spaniel that's I know was taken from their garden another was also taken from its garden and another lured by someone when it was out on its walk and hasn't been seen again. It's very common now unfortunately. Oftentimes there's some work done on the coat, ears etc to disguise them.

I think it was national dog theft week last week so it's common enough for it to have its own week

Yes key is don't leave unattended inc in car. I think you'd be unlucky to have your pup forcibly pulled away from you.

I have been outright asked how much my mini dash cost! I'm also mindful that people don't pick him up (people do try!!). I don't let him off lead around other people. We have a very secure garden not visible from the road.

I wouldn't worry too much. You can't live in fear.