As a lawyer, I am always aware of our GSD (10 mos old) as an attraction and potential lawsuit. Just the other day I was in town with the dog (loaded in the back of the Jeep) with a rear window down only 1". Even lawyers believe most folks aren't stupid enough to approach dogs in a car, but I am none-the-less careful. Well, imagine my surprise when I exited the store and could hear the sound of my dog's bark echoing around the lot. A kid of about 11 years or so was "just talking" with the dog by the 1" crack in the window. The kid would back off with each bark and the dog would sit. The kid would approach again and the dog would stand and bark. Nice! This just reminds me that the stupid gene is alive and well merely for the fact that modern civilization doesn't allow for its demise. I yelled at the kid to knock it off and he ran over and got into a car. I waited for his mother and explained what had happened. Wow. She nearly took my head off. After all "My kid could have been hurt." Yes, if he'd stuffed those chubby little fingers through that one inch crack he'd be waving hello with stubbies.

Even as lawyers, its crazy to see how some folks behave--but, it keeps us living well! Dogs of all kids attract and you are responsible for keeping the attraction (if it is dangerous) out of reach. If you don't exercise the necessary care and someone is hurt, well, you'll most likely be hearing from a lawyer. And, believe me, it takes a lot of care to convince a jury that you have a PPD under control. Everyone's mind immediately thinks (and I believe correctly) that if there had been proper care there wouldn't have been an incident. There is always that rare incident when all the care in the world has been taken and an accident happens. Just hope it doesn't happen to you.

Even breeds that are known for aggression and have not been PP trained are an issue. Our pup is only 10 months, is neutered, and has had no PP training and I am aware he has some amazing natural instincts. If I am walking the dog alone and a man approaches, Tyr sits in front of me and growls verrrry quietly. If the person keep coming he might bark. If they get within a 10 foot distance he will stand and growl and bark. Tyr has not been trained for this but somehow it comes naturally. He is fine with guests in the house once proper introductions have been made. However, he will stand in front of our master bedroom door and look menacing should anyone think about walking towards the room. He then, carefully, herds them towards a back of the house bathroom. He will then come to get us and walk us to the back bathroom as if to say, "someone is in there." Cute. We've been told we are fortunate he isn't tempermental, is great with other dogs, and doesn't seem to want to bite. But.... he is young yet and displays a lot of drive and protection.

I don't care what anyone says, no dog is predictable 100% of the time. You need to know your dog, train and train and train your dog, and then don't place anyone in harms way, especially stupid people who have been drinking and get even less intelligent with each sip. GSD's are great dogs, but they are bred for a specific purpose and how soon folks forget that purpose. It is those folks we'll be meeting in court.

Linda,
I have a legal/ dog question - is it true that "attack" dogs won't bite a lawyer out of professional courtesy?

Just kidding! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

WOW are you going to get it for that comment... Get him Linda... Fight, Fight... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
My fiance who is a law student even got her hackles up at that one!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Will, thats an insult to attack dogs everywhere.

Aren't you getting out of the subject here!?

Originally posted by Ed Frawley:

Someone asked about the issue of a PP dog being left on a rug when company comes over. This is crazy. If you have to worry about SOMETHING HAPPENING when company is over - either MOVE - see a SHRINK or leave your GLOCK on the counter. ***********************************

If your talking about me it was a MAT and not a RUG!

I don't have to worry about NOTHING, 'cause that's were he goes when company comes, PERIOD.

I can't move, my new shrink is you and i don't know what is a GLOCK...

Ed,
There's not much that I disagree with you on but I'm leaning that way here (in consideration of PSDs). One of our handlers has a dog exactly as you describe. He is the dogs universal center, is not allowed to be petted and is not allowed to wander over to strangers. Not that he does anyway. The dog doesnt socialize with other officers or the brass and during demos he is put right away when he is finished. Ihave to tell ya, Ive seen more almost accidental bites with this dog wherein mine hasnt even come close to one. Before you blame the handler, let me tell you it was the stupid public as well as other officers fault when they almost got bit. This dog is not a complete social misfit but he has high defense to go along with the rest of his good qualities. Because the dog is like this, his contact with the citizenry during PR efforts is almost nill.

Given what you wrote previously I'm sure you are OK with this. To let you know, Im not completely against keeping a dog this way but our department has seen clear to use the K9s as a public relations tool as well as a benefit to officers working the road. I agree that an accidental bite is going to cause some problems and there is nothing that I can say here to change that. And no amount of personal opinion is going to justify an accidental bite as well.

A PP dog can be shielded from the public and closely monitored in regards to what or who it is exposed to. A PSD is constantly in contact with the public even when actually working. You worked a dog for 10 years, Im not telling you anything you dont already know. My question is..How did you do it? Was working a dog fun for you? I know it is for me. If it wasnt I'd got out long ago.

I agree that not all working dogs should be handled by every Tom, Dick or Harry. Some just dont like it, while others love it. My first dog fit into the "dont like to be petted by strangers" category, while my current partner is a hand slut. Different personalities. But when it came time to get down and dirty, both dogs perform almost identically, both were animals that I trusted my life with.

OK, I am now available for verbal abuse <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Have to agree with you Howard. I have two dogs that love to be petted by strangers and one that hates it. I see no reason for her to have to tolerate having someone touch her if she doesn't like it. It's stressful for all concerned.

I am of the thinking that it is my choice as the handler whether or not the dog is social. Some days my dog is less social than other days, and those are the days she is isolated. She is also a hand slut (as Howard put it) so I have to consider the socialization aspect. Though I am in charge I have to consider the dog as an individual. Not all dogs are going to be social. She is being trained as a tool, but she will also have significant contact with the public and needs to be prepared for that. Her personality allows for that preparation where as other dogs' personalities can't allow it. As Howard said, when it comes time to do her job, the social behavior is set aside....it becomes the "nothing personal, just business" mentality with her. I as a handler must make the appropriate judgement call regarding when to allow social behavior, and when to shun it. A large part of that discretion is the based on the individual dog.

My dog is the type that she will lunge for anyone who makes a quick movement for me, and will bite when possible. She lunged to bite a young child who ran past me at the park last summer, but was unable to because I was in total control. The young girl didn't even notice the dog's actions. Had the dog been off leash it would have been a bad situation. Key word is control. With that in mind I tell everyone when she is out not to make any sudden movement towards me and to ask if they can pet her or approach her. If they show the dog respect, as well as me as the handler, it makes it much easier to manage. When my instructions are followed I have yet to have an instance where the dog has accidentally bit anyone. I have yet to have anyone disregard my instructions. Again, I stay in control. Though I realize my dog is a sweetheart, as she has been referred to many times over, I also respect her ability and training. That respect must take precedence.

Ah, I see that in my absence a couple of you went into "attorney joke telling" mode. Hey, no problem, I appreciate a good joke as much as the next person. But, in the future, guys, remember that I am a lawyer and untill the joke is a bit off color I find it hard to get really excited about it.

As for Will's question. Yes, it is true that intelligent dogs won't bite attorneys, but the same thing can't be said for all humans.

I think I prefer to think of myself as a cross b/n a bull mastiff (hang onto the throat until they choke)and a well bred lab (lay back and watch the stupid gene go to work so that they hang themselves). I prefer that last method and find it works 98% of the time. Kinda like my shepherd....ummmmmmmmmmm.