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... I would rather not send my dog into a fight in which he's likely to get killed or seriously injured, so I take all precautions to avoid the situation in the first place...

My point was that a civilian shouldn't "send" their dog into a fight to begin with. Civilians are not required to (and in fact, should NOT) use their dog to apprehend a bad guy. If the bad guy isn't presently kicking your ass or in a position to cause immediate death or bodily harm, the dog should not be used, other than as a deterrant. Maybe that is what you meant.

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...I don't think anyone is advocating just having a dog to fight whatever battles come your way...

Perhaps, but I think MANY people get a PPD with the thought that the dog will solve all of their problems or save their bacon if a real-life situation occurs, while they stand there and watch, instead of avoiding the situation in the first place. In other words, they put the responsibility of their personal defense on the dogs shoulders instead of taking that responsibility themselves by (for example and among other things) carrying a gun, with proper training.

It's like the person that gets a gun and thinks they are a bad ass now. Having the gun (or dog, for that matter) is only part of the equation. Having the training, mindset and knowledge to know where and when the gun or dog can be deployed (or more importantly, CAN'T be deployed) as well as knowing what your responsibilities and potential liabilities are for actually using your gun or dog is MUCH more important.

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...If I'm THAT afraid of someone, why wouldn't I fear for my dog, too?...

Maybe, but (and don't take this the wrong way) my life is WAY more important to me than my dogs life. I love my dog(s) and certainly don't want them to be injured or killed for no reason. But in the end, if a person isn't willing to sacrafice their dog's life to save their own life, they shouldn't have a dog for PP.

It's no different than carrying a gun if you're not willing to use it when it counts. The prudent person should have already made up their mind that they WILL use the gun (or sacrafice the dog) BEFORE any situation occurs. Because if they haven't already made that decision BEFORE something occurs, they might very well hesitate at the moment of truth, which could cost them their life.

I don't want any harm to come to my dogs, but if it comes down to me or them, you better believe it'll be ME going home at the end of the night.

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...Dogs are a last resort, or an excellent deterrent/distraction-not a license to be negligent in protecting your own safety...

That is all I am trying to say <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jenni, how can one argue with that logic?! You put it so succinctly. What you say makes complete sense. As I go along I will take my dog to where he'll let me. I would love nothing more than full control from start to finish but will let him guide me. If he's got what it takes, I'll discover this along the way and foster it.

Thanks Judy. Hope you two go as far as you want; either way, it'll be worth it b/c of the bonding that occurs when you work together so closely. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Scott; don't we agree <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />? Or do you just like to break things up and make them longer? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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That's all I'm trying to say <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Didn't I just say that? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Men! Always gotta re-iterate everything a woman says to make it sound like their idea! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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...Didn't I just say that? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Men! Always gotta re-iterate everything a woman says to make it sound like their idea! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually, I was translating what you said into "Man-Speak" so that the other men could understand it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Man speak equals grunts and pointing..

Woman speak equals several hundred extra words to communicate the same point...

Does that about cover it, Jenn and Scott? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Yep, that covers it-usually. Compare my post to Scott's um, EPIC. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It's not my fault! Really! I'm a victim of the feminization of the American male!

...or maybe I just like to talk a lot <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Back to Judy, Yip-Yap. May I call you Yip-Yap, Scott?

No More Hijacking!

Yip-Yap. Isn't that what showline dogs do? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> You can call me anything you want, Jenni. Just don't call me Sally.

This thread got hijacked at least 35 times by now. Good thing I'm an expert and don't need the help! LOL. And as if that's not bad enough, Scott has to go and personal and insult my dog <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />.

Well, I'll go ahead and hijack my own thread. After about 100 or so posts, I think I get it now...people with working line, European dogs are top tier, working line dogs from US are cool too but those of us with showline dogs are just tolerated on this board. Does that about sum it up?

That's all right, a reality check is always good. But I can't end this post w/o telling all of you who think my dog's pond scum for coming from German/American showlines... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> !