After reading in the newspaper today about a dog that was stolen not a million miles from here, I am now terrified that something will happen to our Staffie Pup, Sox.

He is 7 months old and we have been discussing the best way to protect him from theft for the past few months. Does anyone have any suggestions about the best method to secure our dog from theives? It seems to me that tattooing and chipping are all very well but you have to find the dog first before you can confirm ownership. Are there any other ways?

I would also be interested to hear views on castration as I assumed that as we didnt want to breed him that we would have him 'done' and I was surprised to hear that some people disagreed so strongly. I would have thought that 'entire' dogs would be more at risk from theft too.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be gratefully received.

Sorry, forgot to add my contact details carolineyoung65@msn.com

Re the protection, train him to do a good recall and ensure that when on walks you always know exactly where he is. We've had dogs snatched on walks near here, when they've been rummaging in the undergrowth or behind clumps of bushes. Just one quick thought!

Lindsay
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hi i have a staffie pup called sox

Hi I have just had a look at your home page and have spent the last 15 minutes crying with laughter! What lovely dogs. Your Sox is just like ours only ours is Black and white with a white nose too.

Its funny how they are so similar characteristically, some of the poses your Dogs are showing remind me of our not so little one. Only trouble is that seeing puppy pics makes me long for another!

Thanks for sharing the piccies.

There is no foolproof way of protecting anything against being stolen, and that would include dogs.

Tattooing and microchipping are very useful if you wish to dispute ownership, however neither is a guarantee that your dog will not get stolen and/or returned.

If someone wishes to keep your dog they will, tattoing and microchipping not withstanding.

As Linday says, proper control, a good recall will be your best defence.

Most dogs are stolen specifically for ransom, not to breed from, therefore castration is not necessarily a defence either.

Tattooing is visible (as long as your dog does not have a very dark, hairy ear); microchips can move and not all readers read all chips so this can make identification more problematic in some cases, however the latter method is the only form of ID that the Pet Passport scheme will accept.

HTH

<Tattooing is visible (as long as your dog does not have a very dark, hairy ear)>

My last collie who died last Sept Aged 12 1/2 years old & who was tattooed in black aged 8 weeks & who had hairy black skinned ears had a tattoo that was visible to the day he died

Thanks for the advice. What are your views on castration in general (for Dogs of course!)?

I would also be interested to know that when you say that most dogs are stolen for ransom, does this mean that where a 'no questions asked' reward is given that most dogs are returned to their owners?

With regards to protection against theft, I think that because of the local theft that I mentioned it has made me a bit paranoid!! Whilst its important that we bear in mind the risks, I think its equally (if not more so) important to enjoy the relationship with our animals and for this reason I wont be letting this sort of news hinder Sox from doing what he does best - being an active little Dog!

Thanks Again, your views are most appreciated.

Oh, that made me laugh, don't know about dogs, but some humans, a definate yes!! :D

My general views on castration (brainless comments notwithstanding) :D is "if it ain't broke, why fix it?"

I sometimes think that a large section of the population believe that those of us with entires spend our lives living behing the equivalent of the Berlin Wall, can never let them off the lead, are constantly at the vets because of them fighting and paying out huge sums of "child" support as they endlessly roam the countryside mindlessly impregnating bitches......................

But back to dogs..................

There are a few cases which do benefit from castration but it is not a magic wand to cure all ills.

I think the money most people spend on surgical procedures of this kind would be better invested in training..................

Absolutely! When I read posts assuring me of all the dreadful behaviours entire males demonstrate, I look at my two and wonder when it's going to start. They're nearly 6 years old now - can anyone tell me when all these terrible things are going to happen?

I'm no behaviourist or dog-training expert, not by a long shot, so it's not down to my experience and expertise that they seem perfectly normal ...

I doubt it will stop mine from eating his bed (which he has done while I popped out today) so based on the advice received I dont really see any point in having it done!

JG though that is somewhat down to the owner and how you train and treat your dogs :)

Life it not worth worrying about what if as you can waste so much time and energy ! :)

Lucy
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I totally agree. Sox is actually a very good boy for his age as we have been really hot on the training but as all pups are he is troublesome from time to time and we wouldnt have it any other way!