This happened not too long ago and thought I'll post this as a heads up to all you dog owners out there.

On one of my daily walks with my dog, I decided to pop into Migros. As dogs are not allowed inside supermarkets, I was rather apprehensive at first since I've never left him tied outside unattended before but I've seen so many dogs left outside shops, even at Sihlquai Coop, which is notoriously high in traffic, and this Migros is not even half as busy as that. Whatsmore, there was a golden retriever tied there at the moment.

"No problem" I thought. "Just one item, grab and pay and I will be out in 3 minutes".

The queue in there turned out to be longer than usual and I am not sure why, but at this point, I felt a sense of unease and decided to put the item back and come back the next day.

I am glad I did because as I exiting through the revolving door, I saw a lady next to my dog trying to untie him. She first tried to untie the flexi leash which I've tied to the post but I guess it was too much work and she was reaching for the hook at his collar to release him from the leash. My dog is usually wary of strangers unless I give a command and true enough, I could see him backing away when she was trying to reach for the hook.

All this happened really quickly but for me, I felt that the door couldnt revolve fast enough to let me out. For a split second, I did give her the benefit of doubt if she was trying to make my dog comfortable but no, he was not tied up too tight at all as I left the leash longer than usual for him to play with the retriever (which was gone).

I said a really loud "OI, what do you think you're doing?!" when I got out and all I could pick out was a "sorry" (in German) and a few mumbled sentences from her before she hurried away really quickly.

I was shaking with rage at that time and wish I knew a couple of choice swear words in German. I went home and analysed if I've overreacted but i trust my gut and eyes to know that she was attempting to steal the dog. I live in a neighbourhood where people are friendly (mostly) and my neighbour leaves his tom-tom in the car all the time, which is parked on the street. I've seen yound children walk home alone all the time and playing outside after dark.

Despite Switzerland being a relatively safe country, this incident has reinforced in me that wherever you are, you can never be too sure.

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Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Bloody hell that's awful! I don't have a dog now but grew up with dogs and had read all sorts of stories of dog-napping and would have been mortified if anyone had taken any of my dogs (OK, so they were mouldy mongrels from a rescue centre so not really valuable to anyone except me) but, still I heard stories of dogs being taken from outside shops, etc and carted off to animal testing facilities .

I'm glad you got out in time to see what she was doing and stop it. I tied my dog up outside our local Spar yesterday (set back on a main road) and felt really uneasy doing it (I don't normally do it, I try to avoid taking her out if I've got to go to the supermarket). I have heard of this happening a few times out here now.

Thanks for that story G

I have never left Gem tied up outside a shop, on occasions i have been tempted but mainly decided against it due to her wimpish separation anxiety ways, (i.e she would whine and wowl so much I'd be crippled with embarrassment) anyway I will definitely never consider it now, it would be my worst nightmare to come back and see an empty lead!

Do you think because he's a pedigree that's why she was more interested to take him? I see lots of dogs tied outside shops but rarely unusual pedigree dogs

Anyway glad your intuition kicked in and you got there in time

Good point Nicky, but seeing that he looks like a mutt (when not brushed for more than 3 days), I am guessing its just because he's just too cute!

I've sat outside Starbucks in Old Town and within a span of an hour, I've seen a yorkie, Shih tzu and poodle tied outside the bakery just opposite before whilst their owners were inside and I remembered smiling to myself and thinking how blessed I am to be living in such a trusting and safe city.

Summerrain, you and your doggie have an ESP connection.

The guide dog school says not to leave the Lab tied up outside some supermarket/shopping centre - they value their dogs too much. I've only ever popped into the neighbourhood bakery for 30 seconds leaving the dog outside but I made sure the leash was securely/complicatedly attached to the screwy-hook thing - never thought a dognapper would remove the leash from the collar (duh! me). At the library, I can see her through the glass walls, and even then for only a couple of minutes. Thanks, I'll be more careful now.

I've seen a beautiful giant Malamute tied up outside the supermarket many times. Guess carrying him away would be too much of a strain on the ol' dognapper's muscles, eh?

Do they do the microchip thingy under the skin here?

Our earlier dogs (1980s) had the inside of their ears tattoo'd with an ID number but with our later dogs they put a microchip under the scruff of their necks.

This wouldn't help you trace the dog if it went missing but if it landed at a vet's surgery they would have a device to scan it.

I would have blown up and given all hell to this lady there's no overreacting in cases like this.

P.S. mods, I accidently pushed the 'groan' button at this post (i was clicking from the hip), please remove it. thanks !

Yes, my dog is microchipped, although there is a flaw in the system which I definitely can see dognappers exploiting.

It took a good 2 months for ANIS to change the information that we are the new owners despite my breeder sending off the registration papers the very next day we brought my dog home.

In those 2 months, ownership of Oskar was still under the breeder in ANIS's database. Also, trying to think like a criminal, the dognapper will just say "its my friend's dog...they are on holiday, and I am looking after it for the time being. Its unfortunate that its now sick..."

I can think of a dozen more....worst being, not bringing the dog to the vet for its yearly vaccination unless it falls really really sick?

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Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

(If I remember rightly) I think if the dog goes missing and you report it to the police they put their ID number on some kind of list so if it is scanned at a vet's somewhere it is flagged as dodgy so if the dognappers say they are just looking after the dog it is immediately blown.

Likewise if you turn up with the dog and it is still "officially" in the ownership of the breeder there wouldn't be any suspicion because the dog wouldn't have been reported as missing.

It's a sad world when there are people out there out to steal hairy mutts from their loving owners.

Glad your doglet is safe, Summerain - what a fright!

You most certainly did not overreact - dog theft happens here, too.

More common than theft, however, are incidents of abuse. I've seen people repeatedly throwing things at dogs tied out, or kicking the dog as they walk by, or teasing the dog, trying to get him riled up.

Another worrying thing I see is young children approaching a strange dog to pet it - no adult in sight. Too many children don't understand the difference between petting and grabbing/hitting. And they don't seem to understand that not all dogs like to be touched by strangers.

A tied-out dog has no way to escape an frightening or uncomfortable situation - and when the flight option is removed...

Sadly, mitigating circumstances are often disregarded today. We seem to have lost common sense - should a dog do what comes naturally to defend himself when someone hurts him, the dog (and owner) will be held to be at fault.

No matter how safe and friendly one's neighborhood seems, I would caution all dog owners against leaving dogs tied out in public.

It's sad. When I first moved here 10 years ago, Switzerland was a far more dog-friendly - and sensible - place. I would often pop into the bakery for a minute while out on my daily walks, leaving the dogs sitting politely by the door. No longer. I just can't trust people, I won't want to risk my dogs' safety and well being.

Sad state of affairs, isn't it?

I'm so glad your pooch is OK.

Oh G thank God hes ok,would be interesting if anyone else has had this problem.

Hello there!
So glad nothing has happened to Oscar

We have an English Bulldog and when he was a puppy we NEVER left him as he was just so cute we were really afraid.

Now I do sometimes leave him once in a while for very short periods (i.e. outside the post office etc) but only because he looks mean with his short nose and teeth sticking out so people do not dare to go near him

Net, I would avoid this at all costs if we have a sweet looking dog...

Ciao
K

I often see dogs here outside supermarkets, but I could never bring myself to do it. I think coming from the UK and there being so many dogs napped for money that its just not worth the increase in blood pressure.

I just organise it so I've not got them with me or think - oh well, have to come again but without the hairy horrors.

Fortunately you ran outside just in time. I probably would have detained the woman and called the police. She will probably try it again.

Until recently I have never thought twice about leaving a dog outside a shop in my village centre (bakery, Volg, Spar, post office) because I live in a village where everyone knows everyone, and we have such unusual dogs and everyone knows who they belong to and if someone tried to take a dog they would not be able to do so without being noticed unless they were expert at it and I just don't think someone like that is around here. Furthermore, a Basset is not a dog such a small dog that you can easily pick up and well, they also don't move so quickly so this person would not be able to make such a quick get away. From most of the shops you have good view outside where you secure the dog.

The point about kids approaching dogs is more of a concern and a recent incident has really changed my mind about tying up a dog. A lot of kids here know how to behave around a dog..they are taught in schools and we live in a farming village and farmers have dogs. But the really young children can be an exception.

One day I was at the cash desk paying, and suddenly I heard this terrible screaming coming from a child, and then my dog barking. I thought the worst...that my dog bit a child. Before I could bolt out the door the woman in front of me did and we could see my dog was just plain terrified. The kid was nowhere near her, he was still walking towards her from the other end of the shopping area and his mom just let him continue screaming. I was just about to open my mouth but the woman in front of me did it for me (I am not sure she realised the dog was mine). She gave that mom an earful, which she deserved. I was grateful. After that I wondered if I should ever leave a dog tied up unless I am not alone and someone can watch them.

It is sad, I agree. But gone are the days where you could leave a sleeping baby in a pram outside a shop too.

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Thanks for this info. I asked some Swiss friends about dog-napping and they said that it doesn't happen here!

I had thought about leaving her outside a few times but where I am there are normally only big barking German/Belgian shepherd types outside (now I know why) and my dog is a coward. So I'm very grateful for the warning.

You can add me to the list of people who don't think you over reacted. I hope you're feeling better after the shock.

P.S. what breed is Oskar?

P.P.S. I would have thanked you formally for your post, but I'm new here and don't know how, sorry!

Thanks for sharing. I do leave Congo tied to a tree for a few minutes when I go to Denner but I too am not easy about it and keep checking on him through the windows especially when I see people approaching him. I would be permanently hearbroken if someone would steal him from me or do something bad to him.

So glad you were there in time to stop the BIATCH. A good heads up to all dog owners.

Thanks for your empathy everyone. Didnt mean to cause any paranoia or panic.

On hindsight MrsDoolittle, I did wish I caused a bigger commotion and stopped her to call the police. Things like that happen so quickly, (in fact, people were staring at why I was yelling so loudly) and in that state of mind, all I wanted to do was to get out of there fast. Once the shock wore off, I admit that I broke down for a bit once I got home and gave him lotsa fuss and an extra biscuit.

What did he do? Plonked his furry behind right down for a nap.

Melloncollie, both you and Mrs Doolittle brought up excellent points about children. I had children on the trams and during our walks rush up to the dog wanting to pat him. Might be the lack of socialising on his part with children, but he responded with barks. Whilst we dog owners know that these barks are not aggressive but out of surprise and fear, their mothers dont realise that, especially if they are not dog owners themselves.

I even had an incident of one mother telling me to get my dog properly trained before taking him out (he was 5 months old at that time), when her child was exhibiting a similar behaviour to what Mrs Doolittle experienced - screaming in glee and running towards him down by the river. I didnt retort because I respect the mother's natural instinct to protect their child when a dog barks.

I dont have anything against children at all and I wish my dog met more children. I tried giving children who are keen to play with him, his doggie treats so that he can eat them out of their hands and associate children with good things. But I admit I have been having difficulties because the dog will be rather cautious approaching them at first and children are rather prone to sudden movements.

Again, no intention of stirring up a parents vs dog owners debate, but would appreciate any thoughts / tips / experiences fellow dog owners out there might have on how to socialise your dog with children, that are not your own

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Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

This Labi was socialised from puphood to be gentle and friendly with children. She didn't really have a choice as all the neighbourhood tots wanted to touch her and play with her but most of them knew to ask first, "May I touch your dog?" Some dog-loving fathers even brought their barely-walking babies to pet the pup. The Lab is extra gentle with very small children (indeed it's in their genes to be easy with children).

So, as per the OP's question, if a dog is not socialised from young to be comfy with children, would more frequent exposure to gentle and not-so-loud children help?

Another question: Is it OK if a stranger asks to touch the pup but he/she rough-houses with it and makes it too excited? I didn't mind strangers petting her or playing gently with her but thought the rough-housing wasn't good for the dog and with my bad German I could only say, "Nicht so schnell, bitte!"