Quote:

Connie, I did read the tread, but the blame still falls on the owner of an agressive dog, period.

Well Brian I for one would love to be enlightened with the rational for this statement. Would you care to share, or is there an underlying message for those of us who deal with dogs that have DA, spend time - money - learn - contain properly - do all the right things then turn our dog over to someone who SHOULD be equally as informed, as you are PAYING for their services, and they violate everything you entrusted them for. Please explain this to me...I don't understand your reasoning or lack of it.

I have dog/dog aggressive dogs and EVERYTHING they do is my responsibility. BUT when I have left them in the care of a professional and paid to do it - they become their responsibility.

 Quote:

I've experienced 2 distinct reactions to my Rottweiler: Group 1 thinks the breed is all about killing and mauling. Group 2 thinks they're the best dogs and lets their kids love maul my poor dog, even after I say 'Pet her gently on her neck or back' and stand there directing the action.

100% Total agreement!!!

As bad as this sounds (and I know it SOUNDS bad at first but I will follow with my logic)I sometimes prefer Group 1 because at least then I dont even have to explain or change MY behaviour. Normally, if someone is afraid of Goliath they keep a respectful distance AND keep their animals at a respectful distance and there is no interaction thus no "fouls"

I dont(and wont)beat a dead horse but I PROMISE that there would be less bad footage and stereotyping of "bully breed" dogs if people would just realize that REGARDLESS of training, pedigree, or breed these wonderful animals are still ANIMALS and should be respected as such.

And in parting I must add WHY on EARTH would ANYONE not listen to the OWNER of a dog when they lay down explicit instructions?? That befuzzles the tar out of me...it parrallels someone saying that gas is flammable stay away from it and some dork thinking they know it all wanting to take a closer look at the gas with a lit match!!!

Sorry, this is a big peeve of mine...
Have a Great Day!!

 Quote:

I have dog/dog aggressive dogs and EVERYTHING they do is my responsibility. BUT when I have left them in the care of a professional and paid to do it - they become their responsibility.

Not only that -- when you have given written and verbal instructions, reinforced on your way out of the paid professional's office......... yep, I'm with you.

That too - or then again why is anyone at the vet's office playing social director? Especially at a vet's office?? Aren't dogs there because there is something wrong with them? Should they be interacting? Do I need to leave instructions with my vet that my dog is dog aggressive? I should hope that if one of them is in there that they are kept away from other sick dogs or recuperating dogs - it isn't Doggy Daycare - it's a VETERANARIAN OFFICE.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone lets their dog approach one of mine without asking. I do not want my dogs meeting other dogs. So if it's done when I'm not around then it certainly isn't my responsibility.

Hayley,

I just read your post and laughed. I know exactly what you are talking about. I see it all the time when I am out with my family.

I can never understand when parents/guardians allow the ir charges to run up and grab any dog. I don't care if it is a chihuahua - they still have TEETH. I guess they don't understand that all dogs have different personalities and should be treated as such. I teach my children very differently and it seems to be WORKING.

My spouse informed me that last week when he, my mother-in-law and my child went out, they came upon a Dachshund. My husband said the dog ran up to them for some attention. My husband said my child asked the owner if the dog was good with "kiddies". He said the owner of the dog was taken aback and not quite sure he heard the question correctly. My child asked again and the owner's response was "Oh, yes." Then and ONLY THEN did my child proceed to pet the dog.

I AM SO PROUD of my child!

So, this shows you that not every parent is out to lunch. Some of us do try our darndest to teach "dog safety". <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

My hat is off to you for trying to save your dog and help children learn the right way to pet a dog.

---

C White



Djinga von Rokanhaus

I think the only responsibility of a dog owner who knows that their dog has a potential to bite is to warn the vet or vet tech. After that they are on their own. Bringing your own muzzle is nice, but really even that is not required. In over twenty years of working in clinics, you can count the number of times I was bitten (by dogs) on both hands. None of those were terribly serious bites, thank goodness.

A visit to the vet is not a social outing. I no more expect my dog to "play" with other dogs OR with the staff than I would expect to socialize with the other patients at my doctors' office.
When an owner instructs the clinic that their dog should be handled in x manner, the staff should honor those wishes, so long as they are not detrimental to the health of the animal or cause danger to the staff.

Of course, then there are the people that have the Chow that obviously will tear you and them both limb from limb, telling you to please treat "Bear" with kindness because he's just scared, and get all offended by the idea of muzzling their little precious. But, by and large, the owner knows their dog, and most importantly, it is THEIR dog! The owners instructions should be honored.

I guess we all have different experiences. My GSD is 8 months old and gets very excited about meeting new people. Everyone I come across who has a child who wants to meet and pet my dog asks permission first. The parents I've met are very good about making sure the kids are calm and don't poke at his eyes or ears, and very understanding when I tell them I have to get my dog into a sit first, or say it isn't a good idea to pet him at that time.