I have a litter due in 4 weeks, my girl being a medium Gundog breed that is Shorthaired has made me think about when and where to walk her as she is showing a lot already... Which in turn has made me think of the security of my house etc (and a dog of the same breed having been stolen from very local to me has made me think even more)

It is sad that we have to think of such things, so how security conscious are you?

Very. I have a back garden the girls have access to all day long (To be honest they are usually with me ) The doors are always open though. The fencing is stronger than the usual B&Q panels as my builder hubby built it and the gates are framed with metal not wood. The fencing is 6 - 8 ft high all round and the gates are always padlocked. If I go out then the dogs are locked indoors, never outside without someone at home. It would be quite a task to lift my 8stone girls over the fencing quietly.
When I have pups they too are never outside without supervision, and without Mum on guard as well. They very rarely are left alone but on the odd occasion that I have to go out then they are locked inside with Mum. I sometimes have to work while I have pups though 99% of the time I have leave or I only do late/night shifts so that OH is here. If I have to work I usually pay my dog sitter to come and look after pups.
I worried far more with the last litter and someone was 100% at home till they left. I do think it has become much more of a problem and it concerns me far more than ever before.
My neighbours worry me as two have small light dogs and low open fencing without locks. So very easy to lean over and grab a dog that way. Even the most decrepit old ugly dog has a value to those who steal in order to blackmail. Emotional attachment is priceless to some people. Makes it easy to extract money out of people.
Aileen

> If I have to work I usually pay my dog sitter to come and look after pups.

Dog sitting Bernese... and pups......good god that would be an absolute DREAM of a job - I'd do that for free any time!!

I don't breed, and my girl is now spayed - but I have always been paranoid about either of my dogs being taken - though I haven't heard of any being stolen in my area.  I have a bungalow attached to my parents house and one way or another someone is usually home but we also have had proper brick walls put in all around our back garden - 6 foot tall and with pretty wrought iron work on the tops of the walls to make them higher but still legal ! - And we have locked tall wrought iron gates to each side - together with security lights all around the front and back at key points and solar lights all around the garden.  We have always been security conscious although originally the walls etc were put in because we had a collie who quite simply was crafty and agile and very keen on escape acts.

I would be devastated if anyone took my dogs I really don't know what I would do.. and hope I never have that situation.  I always look at the lovely dogs tied up outside of shops by owners and worry - I could never do that - people always fawn over my westies because I think they are probably the only ones around with full show type coats (and my boy in particular is really seriously handsome!).. I absolutely KNOW if I left them outside a shop for 2 mins they would be gone when I got back... so never take the risk.

I must admit I don't advertise (as in make it obvious or mention it) that I have a litter where I live.

I no longer so as I used to sit with a pup on driveway wall so it can watch the traffic and meet people which I used to do with pups individually from 6 weeks.

Awful shame as with a bus stop outside it gave pups the opportunity to meet lots more people.