Names on Tags?
 

I'm thinking about getting a new tag made for Snickers, but not sure whether or not it's a good idea to put his name on it or not. I think I heard Victoria Stillwell say once that having your dog's name on it's tag is a bad idea, in case someone tries to steal it, they can make the dog seem like theirs by calling it and it coming to them. It would not be very obvious to any observer that they are not the rightful owner because they know the dog's name and would be able to call it.

But, at the same time, if your dog was lost, if someone found it, would it make the dog feel more comfortable if someone could acknowledge it by name? Or would that not really matter too much in a dog's mind?

Levi's name is on all of his tags. I figure if someone is going to steal him, they are going to steal him no matter what - I just try very, very hard to prevent that from happening! He wouldn't respond to a stranger calling his name any more than he would respond to a stranger calling him Fido, so I don't see any added danger in having his name on the tag in his particular case. He only really comes when called if I call him (or my boyfriend or my brother or someone he is really familiar with).

huh,interesting thought there...well that's also why I micro-chip my dogs in conjunction with having them wear tags. I have all my dogs names on their tags-my tags go like this
Side 1: DOG'SNAME MICROCHIPPED
Side2: MYFIRSTNAME PHONE NUMBER
I have heard that putting on the tag that your dog is microchipped aids in having them NOT stolen and also for whatever reason my number is not reachable or called people know my dogs can be scanned at any local animal control or vets office. So literally I have MICROCHIPPED on there in caps. Just a personal note-I keep these tag on their orange reflective harnesses that they wear whenever they go out-I'm not into collars, and I know I should totally have the city license tags, which require the dog's name on them too...but I don't

On a few of Troy's collars I put "I need medication" or "I have Special Needs". Even though this is not true, it is a deterent for some theives.

I still prefer to have his name on the tags though.

Jackson would not go to someone calling his name anyways, so I'm not worried about it with him, lol. His name and my phone number is all that is on his tag.

As for microchipping -- I've always read to NEVER put their microchip # or that they are microchipped on a tag because then the thief won't take them to the vet so they don't ever get scanned. Or they will try to take out the microchip by themselves.

I keep his microchip tag (from the microchip company) and his rabies tag on my key ring.

On Snoopy's tag, we have "Reward" instead of his name.

Interesting...
I currently have my dog's name, my address, phone number and his microchip # with HomeAgain's 1-800#. I tried to fit on as much info as I could...I could totally see someone like...say...my grandma, who may not know about microchips, (I really don't know if she does, but I can imagine...) finding a dog and not realizing that was something that could be used to find the owner! You know what I mean?

I am definitely going to put "reward" on the next one and also that he "needs medication" and/or has "special needs". In his case, this is not a lie! (He has MVD). My husband always jokes that Snickers is such a trouble maker that if someone ever took him, they'd probably pay us to take him back. ;) My mother thinks that's why he was a stray on the streets in the first place, because he has so many problems.

That's a good idea to keep the rabies tag on your key ring. Snickers' rabies tag is so huge, it's difficult to keep it on. But, since he is always with me, I would still have it at all times.

Well I have their names and my phone #, but after reading this thread I need to add special needs and medication for Miley.
Miley will not go with any one else unless she knows them , but Max is one if u have a hand and u can rub him he is gone, LOl !!!!
I just keep them real close all the time.
bark@ulater!!!!!
manina,miley:aimeeyorkmax:aimeeyork

I have my dog's names on their tags. I wouldn't worry about a thief knowing their name and trying to use it to call the dog to try and prove the dog is theirs.

If your dog was missing or stolen, and both the thief and you were to call the dog by name to "prove" who the dog belonged to, wouldn't you think your dog would be so excited and thrilled to see you again that it would go to you instead of the thief? It would probably run to you before you even called it's name.

Our vet recommends not putting "microchipped" on the tag. Gracie's name is not on her tag. It only has "yorkie" and my cell phone number on it. If she were lost that would let people know what breed she is because not everyone knows what a yorkie looks like and if she were stolen they wouldn't know for sure if she was chipped and avoid taking her to a vet or somewhere where they might scan her.

The reason why I use my cell number on her tag is because I have it with me both at home and when we are out or traveling. If we are out of town I can still be contacted just in case she escapes.

I agree with you, I think it's a mistake to put the fact that they have a microchip in them. I've found dogs over the years, and I'm always so happy to find one with a tag that has a telephone number. Sometimes the number is just to a local animal control who then contacts the owner and gives them my number. Joey's tags have the local animal control number as well as another tag with his AKC lost and found number. I think another tag with my phone number would be good too.

Really surprised so many people are against having micro-chipped on the tag. As well a dog's name. I guess even though I heard it would detour a would be dog napper to see that a dog is micro-chipped as everyone seems to know they can't be removed or altered in anyway...but also to alleviate the stress a dog may be under if they were just found because for whatever reason they got lost and then someone who found them would know their name make them comfortable while calling...also not even think about keeping my dog because they read my dog is micro-chipped and registered to me...I don't know I'm really just surprised so many people think it is a bad idea to put on there in conjunction with name and cell #...still pondering the tattoo thing myself too. I guess I saw an opportune thief (I found it and will keep it) more than a person who sought out stealing my dog, but I think its more likely someone would have to put out effort to get one of my dogs like breaking in the house etc.
Really like the points about putting the medical needs of a dog on the tag and any meds they need (real or not) I have special needs information listed in the comments section of my microchip company but then again that's not readily available to anyone who finds or takes my dog...might get Scoobers allergies listed on his or something to note that and put that Elvis has seizure needs meds on his...

I learned early this year from an SPCA employee that when a dog is stolen, especially a Yorkie, usually the first thing to get trashed is the collar. It's only there for our peace of mind.