Rottweiler mauls little girl

Follow up

They're looking to ban pets in Petco now.

I hope that doesn't happen. I hate spending a lot of money at Petsmart and Petco but in terms of a nice way to proof and socialize with my dog, they're great IMO.

I was actually impressed the other day at a Petsmart in Eden Prarie, MN...the instructor actually hooked up a Dobie with a prong collar (and it was actually fitted high on the neck, etc.). The dog's owner was way out of her league with the dog. I kind of winced because she would prong "correct" the dog out of sit to start walking. But the instructor was right on top of her. Again, surprised me.

....this is why it makes me nervous to have my kids with me at places like Petsmart and Petco-you never know what sort of handlers the other owners may or may not be. its not breeds like Rotties or APBTs that i worry about-its the more common ones that are more likely to be biting. our son was bitten last year by a GSD/collie mix at a park down the street...a dog with a known history of biting,and that had bitten someone just the day before. the owner put the dog down that night...in that case,this guy should never have a dog,too cruel to them, but i really detest the way the Rottie's owner just dumped the dog at the pound-the dog is not the criminal,but the owner for irresponsible handling and training...
...poor kid....and poor dog... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I hear you. I get really antsy when I see the typical scraggly-faced kis getting dragged around the store by his APBT and the studded leather collar and chain leash. That's usually when we go check out the fish.

At the same time, parents need to properly supervise their kids and teach them not all dogs are nice. I cringe whenever I see young children run up to a dog thinking it is friendly. Even when I am out with my lab only a small number of children who come over come with their parents and ask for permission to pet her. Most of them just run up. Same thing with horses but horses don't go to PETCO. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't really like the whole concept of those types of places. In a perfect world it would be cool, but like you said Gail, you never know the type of handlers. I worry about the diseases a place like that could be infested with. As it stands you can walk in there without proof of immunizations and no temp. test, certificates. I think some type of temp. test to earn a Petco certificate should be required before entrance into the store, with an updated immunization stamp. Kind of like a license for Petco. I'm surprised a tragedy like this hasn't happened earlier. I can just imagine the type of settlement this will generate. I wonder if the stores insurance will skyrocket and it won't be worth the risk of allowing pets into the stores anymore.

There's one about 15 minutes from me. I've mostly seen the 200 lb Golden Retrievers dragging their owners around the store.

I guess the mother assumed the dog was safe because the person brought the dog into the store. Sad story. I feel sorry for the little girl <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> The mother should have kept her at her side IMO. This is the reason why we should have mandatory dog education in schools.

...huh-thats what i do! i send them over to look at the hamsters and fish,while i run around in the dog section,or that they go look at the cats.i don't have problems with anyone,personally,but i get really annoyed with people who have dogs there that wig out when they see another dog-especially one that is calm. for some reason,it seems to infuriate some dogs that my service dogs don't react to their challenge,and even more when my dogs return their attention to me and what we are doing. typically,when we run into a dog that starts lunging and barking at us, Anja looks at them,checks to see if i'm going to want us to go by this yutz,(not likely!),and just seems to forget about them. i've seen her zonk out on her side,asleep,with one of those at the other end of the asile while i'm looking at books or something. really seems to peeve the troublemaker that she isn't responding,but i am so proud of her!

I take puppies into the Petsmart and SuperPetz near me - for socialization with kids and people - but of course I don't appreciate anyone in there with dogs that are out of control or obviously not friendly, dog aggressive - and most of those on flexi-leads - I have grown to HATE flexi-leads.
The other day I was in a Petsmart with a friend and two puppies - and a lady walked in with two adult JRT's. She headed straight for the hamster-cages, which are glass-fronted and about 3' up from the floor. She sat down on the floor right in front of the cages and her two dogs proceeded to boing straight up and down 3' in the air, each time poking their nose at the hamsters who looked right back at them - apparently not alarmed - but the dogs were having so much fun!!! I asked the lady - do you do this often? She said "whenever possible, it's great exercise for them and fun for me to watch! It was funny, made you smile - those little dogs had one thing on their mind and it was looking at those little critters just out of reach but SOOOOO close! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

...can't remember the name of the store chain,but theres one that has the habit of having their big parrots out on stands,not in cages,and encourages people to touch them...that is just bloody insane! years ago,i applied for a job at one of those,and while i was talking to the manager about it,one of their Goffin cockatoos hit the floor,and the manager told me to pick it up. no problem-at the time,i was breeding cockatiels professionally,and handled birds all the time-so i scooped up the Goffin with the neck/finger hold,when she wouldn't step onto my hand but tried to bite,then held her to pet/work with her while continuing to talk to the manager. i was so shocked when the manager told me that i had just lost the position,because of how i had picked up the bird! i told her again what my qualifications were,and that this was the standard manner of holding safely an untamed hookbill,to prevent bites and keep them calm (she could see the bird lying quiet in my hands,beginnning to enjoy being petted)...the same hold that is used at the San Deigo Zoo,that was taught to members of the breeders group when we went down there for seminars on large parrot breeding and handling. this crazy manager admitted that i was handling the bird correctly,but that company policy required that all animals be handled as if they were perfectly tame,regardless of if they were or not. i asked,'so if i had allowed the bird to bite me,but picked it up your way,i would have gotten the job?'....yep. they had the policy that all the animals had to appear tame and handleable,even if they weren't....incredible.

...so i see this present situation as a continuation of that mindset.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

My dog stays in the truck when I go to PetCo or PetSmart.