Richard--

I couldn't agree with you more, and have posted similar thoughts on another thread.

But just so you know where I'm coming from... on that other thread, I mentioned a rather scary experience I had with two radio shock jocks here in trendy liberal Madison, Wisconsin. They had spent their entire morning show trashing Schutzhund--the SchH Nationals had been held in Madison that year--because it was "attack dog training." I managed to get in at the end when they were taking calls and I think I did a fairly good job of defending protection sports, and may have even changed a couple of minds. At least I got the jocks to back down off what they had said earlier. But most of the calls they took before they got to me were from livid Madison residents demanding that no protection training be allowed in our county ever, ever again! And while we're at it, let's ban GSDs and Rotts and Pit Bulls! It wasn't pretty--and if I hadn't managed to slip in there just under the wire, the jocks would have gotten off their little trash session completely unopposed.

What I'm afraid of is that incidents such as this are much more common than the great things you and your friends are doing in the Phoenix area to promote working dogs.

Perhaps we should devote a section of this board to discussing promotional activities that board members have heard of or participated in--things that present protection sports and working dogs in a positive light.

Pete Felknor

The first well trained protection dog I ever saw was Jerry Cudahy and Axel doing a demo at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show. Impressive! That dog was never on a leash and was interacting with the audience before and after certain scenarios. It proved to me that a dog well trained to bite can be safe around the public.

This year the Ontario Provincial Police had a demonstration. It was well done. Although the dogs were not allowed to approach the public it again proved that dogs in the correct hands can be powerful weapons and yet safe to handle.

I believe the issue is not weather you trust a well trained protection breed in the right hands, but all of the average (or not so average) dog owners who have the wrong breed for their temperment, have too much dog, half-train it then don't keep up the training, or don't train it at all.

Sooner or later I think that some form of legislation or licence restrictions will be invoked regarding protection breeds. There is just too much publicity that occurs when a bad incident happens.

One bad apple can ruin it for the whole bushel. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Pete,

I have dealt with some of the same types of people. You can't change their mind in most cases, but the thing you can often do is make them look like the asses they are in most peoples minds. Since they don't know what they are talking about they will usually tarp them selves in to agreeing with you. Several times I have had this argment with someone that is petting my Giant, or better yet the Mini, and they are all flabbergasted to discover that both are bite trained.

My favorite argument is dog vs gun for home protection. I win that one every time. The other fun ones are the people that are going to just give the dog a "karate chop to the neck". That one is usually a short education too.

Like your conversation with the D.J.'s, this is an argument we can usually win in the mind of the vast majority of people by getting the facts out and not remaining silent in the face of ignorance.

Well said Richard,
I never thought of it like that. Hiiiiiii YA! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Just like Judo, use their ignorance against them.

Hey guys,
Everything all mentioned has to be implemented ASAP!!!
If we all give the extra time and try to educate the unknowing, we will have made the statements everyone has mentioned in previous treads. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My wife teaches 1st grade she is presently seeking permission to bring my Akita to her class room. I hope we have this chance.

She is only obedience trained and interacts well
with children. I wish she were trained further so that they would see first hand what all of you have done and seen with your dogs.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Lets start a campaign showing everyone how pleasant it is to own a dog that is properly trained.

Talking to each other on this BOARD will not be enough to get the NEEDED MESSAGE OUT TO EVERYONE.

Always a pleasure to read the post. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hey Butch,

You know what would be helpful is if you could ask your wife how a regular guy "like myself" would approach a school to ask if he could give a seminar on Dog saftey etc. I for one would love to go into the community and do things like this but don't know where to start. I'm sure a lot of people are the same way. But you are right, we have to start!

Lonny,

Call the principal and ask. The thing I think that you will find is that they may question your credentials for teaching about dog safety. What might help is to take a trainer with you when you go. It may make the teacher/principal more comfortable. I am not questioning your qualifications, or intentions, but the school might.

I hear what you are saying, as I have no credintials so to speak, I'm just a smart lad and that's all the credintials I have. But your right, schools are kinda funny these days, not like when I was in school.

I wouldn't take any of the trainers I have meet around here for a cup of coffee let alone represent me and my dog. Hence the whole reason I started training on my own. I will give it a go and report back my results. Thank you for your help Richard.

Originally posted by Caniche:
Me again Lonny!

All the gates into my yard have a beware of dog sign on them. The kids in my neighbourhood know Max and have petted and interacted with him. Someone once told me by having a beware of dog sign on your property will subject you to liability if the dog bites someone. It's like admitting you have a dangerous dog. Crazy world we live in.

Milt

Interesting point milt. I always thought it was just the opposite, by not having the warning sign up you are liable. Oh boy....what have we done...hope we didn't accidently start another legal thread! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />