I'm relatively new to the board but was am a former ACO, I just finished reading the threads on this. I do believe that you thought you were "bonded" to the dog and that you do feel "grief", that being said I will add to what everyone else has said.
I don't know the previous posts and I don't care. You said you were "training" the dog, well, as his trainer knowing there was a situation developing between your father and the dog you should have; as the trainer; removed the dog from the situation. If you had to lie and tell your father he ran away you should have made it your job to make it safe for BOTH of them! in daylight, under cover of darkness, however it had to happen the dog should have been removed from that situation to avert a tragedy.
I've seen people with parts of their faces ripped off, so I understand the horribleness of what happened. But again, if you take responsibility for training the animal you take responsibility for its life... and of course as is typical when humans fail the animal the animal pays the price.

 Quote: steve strom

Claudette, Its always possible your posts didnt accurately describe what happened or took place over the last couple of years. I hope your father recovers completely.

Well-spoken, Steve. I second the best regards for your father, Claudette.
At his age, he is unlikely to change his perception of dogs (or much else), so it would probably be best that he not be tasked with the responsibility of owning a dog, and it may even be a case where there should not be a dog in his household. That is not for me to say; hopefully you have better insight now that this has happened, and can make an intervention if the subject is broached in the future.
On the other hand, you have a lot more years ahead of you, and I hate to think that this experience would be lost on you. I believe in lessons learned, forgiveness (including forgiving one's self), and second chances. What is the point of learning your lesson if you never get a chance to practice it? No matter what is said here, noone will be able to stop you if you decide to get a dog. Honor Csak's memory by never letting harm come to another being that is left in your care.
Please be well,
Duane

P.S. I don't think it's wise to wage a pm campaign against those that have offended you; this only fuels the fire. Rather, if you think they're wrong, let them be wrong out in the open. Anyone posting on this public forum should realize that their posts can lead to criticisms and repercussions, and you must consider this when posting something like your OP. There are other dog forums where you would have been blasted much more severely.

This was the "nasty" PM I sent to Mr. Ian Bunbury:

I found your post to be incredibly mean-spirited. We're talking about an elderly guy, who had caused no harm to a creature, being torn apart by this creature. The dog didn't have any bite wounds or missing patches of skin, that was my dad.

He is only just now healing the last of these wounds. The dog had no wounds. I completely understand that it was my dad's poor handling that gave the dog the idea he could get away with an attack.

But creating a post that glorifies the dog and his motives and demonizes the human seems to me to be unbalanced.

------------------


That was the post.


Edited by Connie Sutherland (08/07/2012 10:07 AM)
Edit reason: mod delete

Jodi, as an ACO don't blow air up my butt telling me I should have stolen a dog.
Duane, Steve, you are both right. There is guilt here and also love and remorse. I have learned several lessons that won't ever be forgotten.

Perhaps the dog had no physical wounds, it's pretty obvious that mentally, he was not unscathed by these inappropriate interactions. To say he bore no wound would be the same as saying you haven't. Don't tell me obvious sign of distress was ok.
A dog is dead because noone stuck up for HIM. Noone had his best interest at heart. Don't demonize the dog for lack of want to place the blame squarely where it belongs.

I have no idea why the O.P. thought it was a good idea to re-open this thread two weeks later.


And ..... "stolen" a dog?

Talk about blowing smoke.

Before you moved out and left your dog there, where "He was always suspicious of men, and unfortunately my father played into this by acting improperly .... I saw this coming because my dad would annoy the dog, and withdraw at any sign of aggression .... In my eyes, it was predictable. I had warned against the poor behavior to no avail .... He was a wonderful dog that met a bad end at the hands of ignorant people" ..... before that, this is what you said in posts:

Hello, Leerburg! I thank this site and all of you for how much I have learned about dog training so far. Truly, thank you. I have a 9-month-old GSD who has come a long long way.

I got him when he was 3.5 months old, so he is a little doggy. I have made huge strides with him but now I'm at the point where I see some failures in my approach and I hope to get advice from you guys.

I love marker training, and my puppy is starting to 'get' the idea ....

So please stop changing your stories every time you feel a need for a little more attention. This thread has been heartbreaking, and no one wants to read any more of your reversals and spins.

Somehow, you went from this statement "He was a wonderful dog that met a bad end at the hands of ignorant people" to this one " ... creating a post that glorifies the dog and his motives and demonizes the human seems to me to be unbalanced."

This topic is closed, Claudette.