Banbury dog charity gives advice on preventing theft as number of reports worries pet-owners

The advice comes as social media has been flooded with threads about worrying cases of disappearances of people's beloved dogs.

Dogs for Good, which trains canines to help people with a range of disabilities from autism to dementia and physical disabilities, said dog theft creates heartbreak.

"It’s no exaggeration to say that when a dog goes missing or is stolen, it’s utterly heartbreaking," said spokesman Laura Shurrock. "Simply thinking about it can cause your stomach to churn and your emotions to dip and dive.

"But it’s a good idea to keep things in perspective. Yes, in the current Covid climate, dogs are at a premium and there has most definitely been a rise in dog theft. However, while the numbers are increasing, they still remain relatively low. Still, it never hurts to take stock and ask yourself if you’re doing all you can to keep you and your dog safe."

Dogs for good has put together some things to consider to reduce the likelihood of your dog being taken and also to keep yourself safe.

Keeping eyes on your dog is still the best thing you can do to keep him or her safe. Using your phone to catch up with calls/emails when you’re out and about with your dog is a huge distraction and thieves know that. Keep your phone in your pocket and those four legs in focus.

Is your garden secure? Did you lock the gate? It’s always worth checking. And as before, keep an eye on your dog when they’re outside.

Don’t leave your dog outside shops. Our dogs are so precious and can be taken in a heartbeat. You wouldn’t leave your wallet or handbag unattended so don’t leave your dog alone.

Tinted car windows. A relatively cheap way to keep what’s in your car less visible to prying eyes.

Keep your dog ‘building side’. Where possible, try and keep your dog away from the side of the road when you’re out on a walk. Doing so will make it far more difficult for someone to open a car door, take your dog and drive off.

If your dog has poor recall, ‘social walks’, on the lead around your local area is fine. Give your dog plenty of opportunities to engage with what’s important to them - sniffing, looking around etc and they’ll feel the benefit.

Scope out some safer, free-run locations where you’ve got clear sight of your dog. Avoid wooded areas and keep to smaller open spaces where you can see all around you and your dog. You could also research private free run fields where you can book a slot and safely run your dog.

High-value food rewards. Small pieces of chicken, cheese or whatever your dog finds utterly delicious are a good way to ensure that your dog is motivated to come back to you.

Extendable leads. Used correctly, extendable leads are a good halfway house between a lead walk and a free run. Make sure you give your dog ten minutes or so at the start of the walk to interact with their environment by opening up the lead so they can shake off the cobwebs and explore safely. If you do this at the beginning of the walk, they’ll be happier to walk on a shorter lead for the rest of the walk.

Be less predictable. Try altering your route and, where practical, the time you walk your dog.

Walk with someone else. Even with the current restrictions, you can still take a walk with someone else as long as you keep a safe distance apart.

Photos. Make sure you’ve got plenty of recent photos of your dog clearly showing identifiable markings.

Microchips. Make sure your dog has been chipped and that you keep any changes to your details updated with the database. Also, because chips can move, it’s a good idea to ask your vet to scan your dog annually to check where the chip is.

If the unthinkable happens and your dog is taken, remember, you are not alone. There are plenty of online groups and pages offering help, guidance and support. DogLost is an excellent charity which provides a lost and found service which is free of charge. You should also notify police, dog wardens, vets and local rescue centres.

For more information see the Dogs for Good website here.