I have been watching facebook lately and there have been a lot, I mean a lot of pure breed dogs in my area that have "come up missing". Of course I can't say that these dogs were stolen but it seems fishy to me. Yesterday a pug and a 7 week of great pyrenees came up missing, both from fenced in yards.

Does anything have an security tips they would like to share? I am a stay at home mom so I don't have a problem staying outside with her but I would like some other ideas on keep her safe.

Make sure you stay aware of your surroundings when you go on walks. I saw on Facebook a couple weeks ago where a lady was tackled and her pittie puppy stolen while they were walking. Asshats like that go for people who look like victims, so if you stay alert and look confident, you're less likely to be targeted. Other than that, never leave dogs unattended in a yard, and if you do see suspicious activity report it.

We have use locks or carabiners on all our gates. Even though our yard is fenced, I either sit outside or watch Lola through the window or door. Our neighbors also keep an eye out for each other and call when there are people on our street that don't belong. I keep all the exterior doors locked when I am at home. I'm not sure if you have a fenced yard but keep objects that make the fence easy to climb away. Things like garbage cans, coolers, ladders and such.

Carry pepper spray, cell phone (pre dialed on 911 and screen locked so you don't accidentally call), have a tight gripe on the leash, and don't be afraid to whoop some ass if anyone tries to take you're pup

We have had similar problems in our area but they are targeted specifically at siberian husky's. So my vet gave me a pamphlet with the following info to keep Saphire and I safe:

1. Never leave your dog outside unattended.

2. Make sure your fence is secure. Lock gates when possible. Do a quick walk around the yard before letting your dog out.

3. Check leashes and collars regularly to ensure that they are secure.

4. Never tell people whom you meet on a walk that she is a siberian husky tell them she is a mix breed. (Although this probably applies since they are specifically targeting the breed here.)

5. Never tell people whom you meet on a walk where you live. If someone is following you keep walking to a business and step inside to ask for help or, in the alternative, call 911 and keep walking toward a busy business area or street.

6. Carry pepper spray, mace or some other kind of deterent spray and your cell phone when walking your dog.

7. Make sure others know where you are walking. If possible use the buddy system otherwise stay in well traveled areas.

8. Try not to walk your dog at night. If you must, pick a well lit area.

9. If your dog disappears notify the police, local vets (all of them not just yours), animal control and the animal shelter. If your dog is microchipped provide them with your name, telephone number, dogs name, and microchip number.

10. Keep a current photo of your dog to show to the police, neighbors, vets, etc. in the event your dog goes missing.

Some of them seem like common sense and some seem a little silly but I figured it was worth passing along.

Thanks guys! We live in a nice neighborhood for the most part, most of the crimes around here are thief, very little assaults unless it's a husband beating on his wife. My husband won't allow me to go far from home and the trail is a big no no if I'm alone. I do have pepper spray, Shawn works for the power company, so he always has it handy. He brought home one for each of us when the neighbors had their rot/pitt mix.

I have no plans on leaving the dog alone outside, just to scary.

Speaking of security, microchip or no microchip? Are they worth the money?

Thank you so much Dena! That is a wonderful bit of info!

No problem.

As for the microchips, Saphire came microchipped from the breeder and both of my cats were microchipped by the shelter before we adopted them. I hope like hell that I never ever ever need to use the microchips, but I sleep better knowing that they have them.

Keep in mind that they aren't locators and can't help you find a lost pet. They just ensure that when your lost pet gets taken to the vet, picked up by animal control, or taken to the animal shelter they will be scanned and then using the registration behind the microchip these people can contact you and return your pet to your home. This doesn't help someone steals your dog and then never takes it to a vet to be scanned though!!

Great information Dena!

One thing to add, and we did have a member a while back who benefitted from this, is Pet Amber Alert. It's a paid service (you only buy it if you need it), but IMO $250 to help find my dog is well worth it. They basically blanket vets, shelters, police, and call neighbors should the worst happen and your dog disappear.

www.petamberalert.com

At what age can we get a microchip? I have no idea there was a pet Amber Alert, thanks for the link.

You can microchip at any age, my cats had it done before the shelter would release them to me at 8 weeks. We could have chipped Ghost earlier, but just did it while she was under for her spay for convenience.

blueeyedghost wrote:

You can microchip at any age, my cats had it done before the shelter would release them to me at 8 weeks. We could have chipped Ghost earlier, but just did it while she was under for her spay for convenience.

Thank you!

you're welcome

There is also something called Tagg. It's a gps tracker you put on the collar. I've haven't tried it, but it looks interesting. I guess it can send an email or text to your phone if the dog leaves the "home" area, and sends real time gps information to your phone if your chasing down your dog.

http://www.pettracker.com/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=Winter2013

Lucian is never left outside unattended, so I don't feel the need for it myself. Stay at home mom myself, so he's always with me. I don't live in a bad part of town either.

I have someone I follow on Instagram who is a Siberian owner and he has the GPS tag. He uploaded pictures constantly when she got out. He said without the tag, he probably wouldn't have found her, at least not as fast as he did. I will be investing in two when I have the money.

Keyda81 wrote:

There is also something called Tagg. It's a gps tracker you put on the collar. I've haven't tried it, but it looks interesting. I guess it can send an email or text to your phone if the dog leaves the "home" area, and sends real time gps information to your phone if your chasing down your dog.

http://www.pettracker.com/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=Winter2013

Lucian is never left outside unattended, so I don't feel the need for it myself. Stay at home mom myself, so he's always with me. I don't live in a bad part of town either.

This is a really neat idea. Wish I would have had one for my Lab/Husky mix. He was a runner and when he would get out he would run the neighborhood and visit everyone. Took forever to track him down. I'm going to have to add that to my list, well worth it for piece of mind.