Why You Shouldn’t Leave Your Dog Outside A Shop

Many of us own dogs and are aware of the general things that we need to provide our dogs with to ensure that they are safe, healthy, and happy. However, some people tend to make up their own rules along the way, and they might not be aware of the consequences that their actions could be having on their dog.

You have probably been out shopping at some point and noticed a dog tied up to something outside a shop while the owner is browsing the aisles inside, but is this something that any dog owner should be doing?

There are lots of rules and guidelines to follow when it comes to taking care of your dog, and the majority of people are firmly against leaving their dog tied up outside a shop. Everyone probably just wants the best for their dog, but we are going to explain exactly why you shouldn’t leave your dog tied up outside a shop in this article. 

Why You Shouldn’t Leave Your Dog Outside a Shop

There are so many things that can go wrong when you leave your dog outside a shop unattended. Anything can happen, even if you only plan to be gone for a few minutes, which is why it is so important to be aware of the problems that can occur.

Your Dog Could Be Stolen

One of the biggest concerns that many people have about leaving their dog tied up outside a shop is that they are going to be stolen. This is a justified worry, as anything can happen when you aren’t monitoring your dog’s whereabouts. 

Unfortunately, you can’t trust everyone around you, and there could be some terrible people waiting for people to leave their dogs unattended. Sadly, this happens much too often, and leaving your dog outside a shop is going to make it really easy for these people to steal your dog.

The more expensive-looking your dog is, the more likely that this is to happen, but thieves often aren’t picky, so you can never be too sure. Some people might be stealing expensive dogs to sell on and make some money, but others will take any dog that they can use as bait in a dogfight. 

So, even if you think that you are only going to be gone for a short amount of time, it only takes a few seconds to steal a dog. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving your laptop out on the street while you pop in the shop, then you should rethink your actions. Your beloved dog could be long gone by the time you get back to them.

Puppies Can Panic

If you have a puppy, things can be even more complicated. Puppies do not have the training and understanding that older dogs have, which means that they are more likely to panic if you leave them on their own outside a shop. It has been known for puppies to tangle themselves up and try to escape so much that they have been left with broken bones, or even almost strangled themselves.

Anything could be going on outside a shop that could startle your puppy and cause them to panic. So, when faced with the choice of coming back to the shop later, or leaving your pup tied up outside, it is probably best to opt for the former choice.

You Won’t Be There To Intervene

If something were to go horribly wrong, and you are browsing around a shop, you won’t be there to stop it. More often than not, people will try and approach your dog to pet them and give them fuss. Not all dogs will approve of being approached by a complete stranger, especially if their owner is not there.

You might also find that people try to feed your dog food that they shouldn’t be eating, which can be a big problem. Another thing that could go wrong is that people try and taunt your dog to show off, and you can’t stop any of this from happening if you are not present. 

It doesn’t matter if your dog is well-trained or aggressive towards people, you can never be sure how they will react in uncomfortable situations with strangers. This is why it is so important to keep an eye on them, especially considering the fact that small children may be passing by. 

As well as this, you can’t be sure that your dog isn’t out causing problems, like by barking or jumping up on strangers that walk past. Dogs can often be unpredictable or act out of character when their owners aren’t around, and it is better to be safe than sorry.

Your Dog Could Bite Someone

One of the worst things that your dog could do is to bite a stranger in the street. If your dog is put in an unpleasant situation that they cannot escape due to the fact that they have been tied up, then their last resort would be to bite the person. This is something that is really dangerous and could even result in you having to get your dog put down. 

It Can Affect Your Dog’s Mental Wellbeing

While there are some dogs that may happily sit outside a shop and wait patiently for their owner’s return, most dogs will not act like this. More often than not, the dog will become quite anxious, as they can’t be sure how long they are going to be left there. 

There are lots of strange people, smells, and noises that they may not have experienced before, and all of these combined are enough to set off any dog. If you are inside a shop, you probably won’t notice that this behaviour is occurring, but this is often the case for many dogs.

Your dog will probably be staring intently at the door that you walked through, anxiously waiting for your return. They don’t necessarily know that you are planning on coming back, and this can easily become a stressful experience for your dog. Not only is this going to cause unnecessary stress and anxiety, but it can also bring on behaviour that is not normal for them. If you want what is best for your dog, then you should avoid leaving them outside a shop at all costs.

The Weather Could Be Dangerous

The weather is rarely ever perfect, and leaving your dog exposed to the elements can actually be damaging. Whether it is cold, hot, or raining, your dog probably isn’t going to appreciate being left out in unpleasant weather. Something that you should be especially mindful of is the sun, which can easily turn fatal for a dog.

What Do I Do If I Have To Leave My Dog Outside? 

If you ever have to leave your dog outside for any period of time, there are some things that you can do to make the experience safer. However, you should never leave your dog outside a shop unless you absolutely have to, like in an emergency.

If your dog is going to be outside for 10 minutes or longer, then they should have access to a source of water. You can get a variety of portable water bowls for dogs, and they can come in handy in such situations. This can also help to keep them reassured as you are looking after their needs.

Make sure that you are tying them up both safely and securely. To do this, you will need to ensure that you are providing them with a good amount of lead, so they are not too restricted. However, you should be mindful of how long the lead allows them to wander, as you don’t want them to get into trouble or wander off into the road.

Going into shops that have glass front windows where your dog can have you in view can be really helpful to keep them calm and reassure them that you are coming back. Additionally, it allows you to keep an eye on your dog and their behaviour.

Should I Avoid Taking My Dog When I Go Shopping?

You should always avoid taking your dog when you go shopping as there is no need for them to be with you. Even if it makes things easier, so you can walk them at the same time, you are putting your dog through unnecessary situations. 

If you are with someone, then you might be able to take your dog with you if you go into shops one at a time. This way, someone can always be with the dog. There will also be some shops that allow dogs to come inside, and in these circumstances, you can do just that. Be mindful that you cannot take your dog into every shop, and very few places will allow this.

Is it Illegal to Leave a Dog Outside a Shop?

It is illegal to leave your dog outside a shop in certain circumstances. According to the Dangerous Dogs Act of 2001, you should never leave your dog unattended outside a shop, even if they are tied up. It could be considered to be illegal, as it is a criminal offence for the owner or person in charge of the dog to allow the dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. A dangerously out-of-control dog could be defined as a dog that has injured someone, or a dog that has grounds for reasonable apprehension that it might injure someone. Even your dog chasing, barking at, or jumping at a person or child could lead to a complaint.