Be careful! Prevent your dog from being lost or stolen
One of the most terrifying aspects of owning a pet is the disappearance of your four-legged companion. For most dog owners, their pets are members of the family, loved and cherished every day. Some dogs are simply lost because they wandered out of the yard or ran off to explore without finding their way home. It is devastating that others are stolen, especially a purebred dog.
There is a black market for purebred dogs for sale and thieves often steal these dogs only to resell them to someone else. There are measures dog owners can take to prevent their dog from becoming a victim of theft. Below is a list of the ten breeds that thieves are looking for:
Breeds most likely to be stolen:
- Pitbull Terrier – American
- Labrador Retriever
- Chihuahua
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Pomeranian
- Shih Tzu
- Boxer
- Bulldog – English
- German shepherd
- Siberian Husky
The best prevention is to be a responsible dog owner in the first place. Of the many tasks that dog owners must perform, the most important is protecting your dog. Always know where your dog is at all times; do they play in the yard – then where in the yard, where are they at home – in their crate or curled up in the corner. Make sure your fenced yard is secure and your dog hasn’t started digging a hole somewhere that he can climb under.
Never let your puppy run off-leash in an unfenced area. Be careful when you open your door; small dogs can be sneaky, just waiting for an opportunity to escape outside. Don’t leave your dog unattended in the car while going into a store; one minute is all it takes for a thief to break into your car and steal your dog.
Make sure your dog’s tags and license are attached to his/her collar and current. If your four-legged friend gets loose from the yard and gets lost like a good Samaritan, you can pick him up and call you. Make sure the collar fits well – too loose and it can slip.
Microchips are a wonderful way to prevent theft as well as recover a lost dog. They are about the size of a grain of rice and are embedded under the skin. There is a service you must subscribe to and keep up to date when using these microchips. Also available are GPS dog collars that come with a handheld locator for the owner. Both are well worth the price if your dog is on the list above.
When traveling, plan ahead. If you’re taking your dog with you on your next trip, make sure you have a dog harness that doubles as a dog seat belt. This will prevent your dog from jumping out of the car when it reaches your destination or stops at a rest stop. Always keep your dog on a leash, and if you’re visiting an off-leash dog park, keep an eye on your dog at all times.
The most important part of protecting your dog is obedience training. A good understanding of the basic commands “sit”, “stay” and “come” will keep your dog safe and secure while giving you the confidence of knowing that only you can command your dog.
Finally, if despite your best efforts your dog gets lost or you suspect it has been stolen, act quickly and rationally; contact local authorities, animal shelters and animal hospitals. Place signs along your dog walking path wherever you can and talk to the neighbors. Above all, don’t lose hope.
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