Leaving dog outside shop

[Snorkmaidenn]

Hello, so I have a lovely 9 year old dog who is very sociable and loves people. Is it safe to leave her outside a shop alone? I'm from an era where this was normal and I lived abroad where it was too. My family have warned me this is not done nowadays which is a shame. Any advice welcome, thanks.

Never ever. And I live in a tiny village. A friend tied up her dog (GSD) outside a shop in the nearby sleepy little town and some yob walked off with him. My very proper and rather formidable friend rushed after them, shouting "WTAF do you think you are doing?" Yob dropped lead and ran away. I didn't know she knew words like that.

I would never risk it. Aside for dogs being stolen for a quick buck in this country which is happening sadly alot we also have an even more horrifying trend of dogs stolen to use as bait for gypsy dog fights. I would never ever ever risk it.

Someone in our sleepy little (really tiny) village had their dog stolen from their back garden. They got him back eventually, but there was a massive search and campaign and it took nearly two years. The dog wasn’t that young, and they then only had a short time with him once they got him back. The dog was a spaniel; gundogs are high value for thieves.

As a kid we did this all the time.

I now live in a small village and there is no way I would ever do this.

No way. Absolutely no way. They can be stolen in a few moments.

No, never. Last month a dog was tied up outside our shops and almost ripped apart by 2 large dogs that had escaped from their garden. If it wasn't for a van of builders going past there could have been a very different outcome. Still feel shell shocked having witnessed it . Each dog took an end and started shaking their heads. Owner has been left with a £1200 bill. Owner of the "family pets" that escaped has agreed to pay, but surprise surprise can't find the money.

Not worth the risk. Really not.

@Jewelspun

that made me feel sick.

bastards. I hope they were caught, but I expect even if they were, they'd have only got slapped wrists!'

utter bastards.

@Snorkmaidenn I grew up when it was the done thing. People still do it at the shops near me, sadly though, I wouldn't any more.

too many feral fucks around who might hurt them & too many people that might steal them and I live in a nice area.

We have just bought a security harness and lead with built in stainless steel to prevent opportunistic theft, so we can pop into school and the shops.

Check out safely secured

A lot of people think they’ve secured their bike before they have to walk home. I just don’t see why you would take th risk when it’s widely accepted dogs are stolen for bait.

@GCAcademic

"gundogs are high value for thieves."

I did not know that. Why is it do you know?

I've done it once or twice when we lived in a small and nice village but I wouldn't do it in the town we live in now.
There was a spate of dog nappings from gardens a few months ago near us, so I don't really like leaving them in the garden on their own for more than a few minutes at present.

What a fucking awful indictment of society.

I am genuinely too frightened to even walk my dogs alone, in case someone tries to steal them. One is a rare breed, the other ripe for bait.

I often rehearse what I could do to keep them safe on a walk, but they aren’t ‘streetwise’ or aggressive dogs. If the humans don’t get them, thug dogs off leads will.

I do this all the time outside the coop, it normal here. I've seen younger (primary aged) kids left outside with bikes too

My dog would not go off with a stranger, he's not one for taking food off people either, my only concern is he can be nippy so beware the person who tries (as my vet said, never mistake a border collie for being cute )

People do it where I live on a daily basis. Mind you, they also go to work and leave their homes unlocked

I would never leave my dog though. The risk might be small but the consequences are huge. It's just not worth it.

How would that help if someone kicked him or a loose dog attacked him?

The risk isn't only from people, sadly.

Definitely not. Never. Quite apart from theft, you're leaving your dog defenceless against other dogs, and what if a child decided to run up and hug them, poke them, trip over them etc., and they got scared and snapped? It's just not worth the risk.

I wouldn’t risk it. You’re basically leaving 3 grand (or whatever you paid for him) lying out on the road for anyone to take. Add on how much you love him and it makes him priceless. I’d throw myself in front of a train fro my boy, I would never forgive myself if anything happened

No way I would ever leave my dog outside a shop.

People do it frequently around here. I'd say it's very normal. But they also leave bikes unlocked

I've left her outside the local corner shop. I'm only in for 5 minutes (eg bread and milk.) The dog is tied up, but tends to move herself to just outside the door and I can see her at all times. I wouldn't for a longer shop. She's well behaved and doesn't bark or cause any problems.

I have an unneutered female dachshund. She won't be spayed until she is at least 2 because of Ivdd and in the meantime I won't even take her out alone as I'm disabled and wouldn't be able to stop someone taking her. She's a dapple so would be ideal for someone wanting to breed and make a lot of money. I wouldn't leave her in a car or outside a shop. Many dogs have been stolen in this area, one dog and her litter were stolen from a breeder's kennels, it's a huge worry 😢

No, people do where I live but I wouldn’t. I’d be too afraid of him being stolen and he’s so friendly he would just go off with someone who untied him. I even do pay at pump if I have to get petrol with him in the car.