Quote: Tresa Hendrix

Brianna, the truth is, if faced with a dangerous person...you DON'T KNOW before hand if they will be close or far away or what their intentions are. Best thing is be prepared to defend yourself...if you need to use a gun, then use it, if the moment reveals its best to punch them or to run away, DO THAT.

People sometimes harm themselves with not using a tool properly, be it a gun, automobile, knife, medication, drill or cell phone. The key is to be smarter than the equipment you are using and you'll be fine.

Being smart helps. Actually keeping your brain even WORKING in these situations is more like it.
I think we all live in different sort of areas. We have all lived different lives and have different personal experiences to mold our opinions.

In my life, if a guys shooting you at a distance like that feet away, your most likely dead. They will most likely hide and shoot you anyways if they want you dead like that.
If somebody's out to just shoot you dead like that, i seriously wish you LUCK.

On the other hand. The other 90 percent of the time, your being pulled into a car, sexually assaulted, jumped, robbed. Being able to use your own body to disable/kill the person assaulting you works nicely. (And look, if you freeze up because for some pathetic reason you have decided NOW is the time to stand there like a moron, what you have learned in self defense classes cannot be taken from your hand and used to shoot you dead, and then after you, the other people around you.)

Look, i sure wouldn't suggest just giving a gun to a lady and teaching her to pull a trigger, BEFORE she has been through self defense classes.
The instructors will let you know if you can even handle a gun.
Not everybody can even handle a gun during a crisis situation.
I have to say, self defense classes are the best preparation for learning how to handle YOURSELF in crisis, before you even think of learning to how to use a gun.

 Quote: Bob Scott

Three girls and one boy. They have all been to the gun range with me, even the 8 yr old boy who is the youngest.

You spoil that boy? haha

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

"The key is to be smarter than the equipment you are using and you'll be fine."

YES. And NOT to rely on your pet dog to be your savior.



"I can send my dog into a room or area to make sure its clear before i step in."

I haver to say that no, my PET DOG is not something I toss ahead to clear the way.


I mean nothing personal at all ..... I just mean that this is is something I hear/read all the time, and to me, it's a lot of "not really thinking." I mean, not really thinking about what my role is, vis a vis a PET DOG, and also, what I can really (reliably) expect from ANY dog, PP-trained included.

HEY i find this post MEAN. my "pet dog" has "saved" me twice!
Whats wrong with this?

We have talked in pm about me not explaining things in detail, and so it can confuse others?
I have nightmares often. And i will open my bedroom door and send my dog to look for any people in the apartment/house/area.
She barks when she thinks "something is up."
It helps me sleep at night.

My dog has told me 2 times that something was "different". One time somebody i used to date decided to "stop by". We have a bad past. My dog told me he was outside.
she did not bark that time but whined and shoved her head MULTIPLE times towards the door. I locked my apartment door and slept in the twin bed with my roomate. Funny thing is my dog chose to stay at the door till morning that night.
The other time a my roomates friend was creeping into my room at night. I had a "few drinks" one night, and was in my bedroom with my dog. I could have sworn he was that the door, so i told my dog to "listen, find it". He WAS opening my door all night, and my dog let me know because i heard growling at the door. And then the next day i set up a camera to find him going into my clothing while i was away.

Is this wrong because she is a "pet dog"?
Should i buy a "working dog"? To be my savoir instead of my dog? She has done very well i have to say!

Does anyone actually looked at the videos of the bandogs working in protection? I would like to hear some comments about them. cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYRNltLrBFg
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=manson+family+bandog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQYGrTS9XKA
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tornabene%20bandog&sm=3

 Quote: Duane Hull

Taking it too far? The OP was about off-breeds in protection work and sport. I was hoping you would explain how your dog would rock at ringsport. I was hoping for a real evaluation of your dog and at least some sense of your understanding of the requirements. "My dog would rock at ringsport" sounded a bit impetuous, but I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. However, your response kind of blew me off, so I guess we won't be having the discussion that I hoped for.

One of the trainers said my dog would of been a great addition to his ringsport team if she had a better upbringing. The others agreed, and went on about said she was very unique for her breed.
Watching the groups, and participating in ringsport get togethers in the past, (mainly standing around, making noises and playing with things) everything that i have seen, i know my dog would enjoy, and if we had the chance.
When i say "my dog would rock at this" i mean "my dog would enjoy this, and would do her best."
Thats all.
Sorry for any confusion.

 Quote: Brianah Maloney

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

"The key is to be smarter than the equipment you are using and you'll be fine."

YES. And NOT to rely on your pet dog to be your savior.



"I can send my dog into a room or area to make sure its clear before i step in."

I haver to say that no, my PET DOG is not something I toss ahead to clear the way.


I mean nothing personal at all ..... I just mean that this is is something I hear/read all the time, and to me, it's a lot of "not really thinking." I mean, not really thinking about what my role is, vis a vis a PET DOG, and also, what I can really (reliably) expect from ANY dog, PP-trained included.

HEY i find this post MEAN. my "pet dog" has "saved" me twice!
Whats wrong with this?

We have talked in pm about me not explaining things in detail, and so it can confuse others?
I have nightmares often. And i will open my bedroom door and send my dog to look for any people in the apartment/house/area.
She barks when she thinks "something is up."
It helps me sleep at night.

My dog has told me 2 times that something was "different". One time somebody i used to date decided to "stop by". We have a bad past. My dog told me he was outside.
she did not bark that time but whined and shoved her head MULTIPLE times towards the door. I locked my apartment door and slept in the twin bed with my roomate. Funny thing is my dog chose to stay at the door till morning that night.
The other time a my roomates friend was creeping into my room at night. I had a "few drinks" one night, and was in my bedroom with my dog. I could have sworn he was that the door, so i told my dog to "listen, find it". He WAS opening my door all night, and my dog let me know because i heard growling at the door. And then the next day i set up a camera to find him going into my clothing while i was away.

Is this wrong because she is a "pet dog"?
Should i buy a "working dog"? To be my savoir instead of my dog? She has done very well i have to say!

Please read again: "what I can really (reliably) expect from ANY dog, PP-trained included."

No, there was no implication that you should buy a "working dog."

I'm sorry, but I honestly do not get why you find this post "mean."

And nope .... I'd have similar comments about anyone relying on their dog for their first line of defense.

I don't believe that this reliance is based on facts.

So while it's great that a dog has intervened to your advantage in the past, no, I do NOT believe that this is a good self-protection plan

There is nothing "mean" about this. It's meant to be a wake-up .... not a "mean" comment.

C'mon! "Mean" ? Surely it's apparent that my goal is not to be "mean," but to give an educated opinion.

If you want, I'm happy to provide discussion about the misguided beliefs that many people have about their dogs protecting them in a serious confrontation.

 Quote: Duane Hull

FWIW, for the sake of other newcomers, there is a huge difference between a dog being able to do obedience and a dog complying with obedience commands when he is in an elevated state of ..... drive.

Ditto. I left out "fight drive": because there are other terms to insert that are just as applicable.

For me, "my dog would be great except ... " makes as much sense as "my dog would save me in a serious confrontation" (despite no such evidence).

This is not personal, Brainah. This is a serious argument against some statements you've made, on a public board, that I believe are not valid.

All JMHO!

Ditto on Connie's above post.

Also dogs that are NOT fully protection trained & proofed are not going to 'save you' in a real personal attack. As much as many folks would like to think that they would.

Obedience with a dog in a very serious agitated state of drive becomes very different then a dog that is doing 'excited' obedience. A dog feeling like it has to or is asked to fight & not flee from an aggressor is not something dogs will do naturally unless trapped & given no choice. Certainly not the same as being asked to protect their owner & not themselves when there is no real threat toward the dog itself.

Saying you dog would be good at something & not being able to discuss & verify what qualifications the dog possesses in order to achieve those lofty aspirations is meaningless.

It is very foolish to state on a public forum that you have a dog that will bite people without being seriously provoked due to temperment issues. You are leaving yourself open to a whole lot of hurt legally if the dog should take a swipe at someone.

One of my GSds has his Schutzhund III title. Many if not most of these "bite trained" dogs would no more protect a person in a real situation then the man in the moon. Put on a good threat display if trained to do so on command but actually protect, not so much.
It's all about the individual dog (very rare)first and foremost, then it boils down to excellent protection training by a qualified trainer. They are both few and far between!

 Quote: Anne Jones

Ditto on Connie's above post.

Also dogs that are NOT fully protection trained & proofed are not going to 'save you' in a real personal attack. As much as many folks would like to think that they would.

Obedience with a dog in a very serious agitated state of drive becomes very different then a dog that is doing 'excited' obedience. A dog feeling like it has to or is asked to fight & not flee from an aggressor is not something dogs will do naturally unless trapped & given no choice. Certainly not the same as being asked to protect their owner & not themselves when there is no real threat toward the dog itself.

Saying you dog would be good at something & not being able to discuss & verify what qualifications the dog possesses in order to achieve those lofty aspirations is meaningless.

It is very foolish to state on a public forum that you have a dog that will bite people without being seriously provoked due to temperment issues. You are leaving yourself open to a whole lot of hurt legally if the dog should take a swipe at someone.

I dont get it.
My dog would get at somebody. I know she bites. If you so much as pretend to hit me, and i let her, she would bite you. I mean, its one of the first things i learned about my dog when i brought her home.
I have been working with this dog for a very long time.
There has not been a bite now a days, because i am precautions, and always have control of what happens when i take this dog outside.
When is my dog going to take a swipe at somebody?
Do you happen to mean because my dog checks the rooms before i go into it when i get up at night and such? Theres nobody here. I mean, nobody should be in my house at 4 am.
(not that that stops the bad dreams and still looking around for inruders that dont exist now)
Plus my dog thinks of i as hide and seek. Fun.
Any pet could do that.
I dont get it.

Wait, so you are saying what a dog that DOES and HAS protected it owner like a "trained dog" without training, in a real life situation is really so rare?