[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by summergal

I'm not defending dog bites at all. Simply stating facts. Sorry but all large dogs are loaded weapons. Unfortunately most people neglect to understand this. Dogs do make decisions. And they react to what they perceive in the moment. How is your dog supposed to know if a person is coming in the door to harm the family or not? You have to make that judgement for him. If you are not seen by that dog as pack leader, he will make that decision on his own and not look to you for the answer. If you were not there when the guy came through the door, he was forced to make the judgement on his own in that moment. Sorry, but you can't expect a dog to think things out like a human or just except any 'ole body through the door. You also can't honestly expect a dog to be pulled around by it's tail and not defend itself. To say they shouldn't bite under any circumstances is beyond silly. That's just flat out rediculous. That's precisely the mindset that leads to many bites.

My oldest shar-pei is unpredictable. As a responsible dog owner, I am careful about who comes to the house, and keep him outdoors at times. l

In Dade County they have outlawed pit-bulls- Why? because of people's stupidity, abusing and training them to dog-fight. People (some, at least) are supposed to have the brains. The animal does what it is trained to do, to survive. Thank God there are more felony statutes enacted now, to protect dogs.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by sunnyhelena

My oldest shar-pei is unpredictable. As a responsible dog owner, I am careful about who comes to the house, and keep him outdoors at times. l

In Dade County they have outlawed pit-bulls- Why? because of people's stupidity, abusing and training them to dog-fight. People (some, at least) are supposed to have the brains. The animal does what it is trained to do, to survive. Thank God there are more felony statutes enacted now, to protect dogs.

So what have you done that would cause your dog to bite? If we follow the logic of the other poster you must have taught the dog to act like that.

[dreamofmonterey]

No. That is disingenuous. He was born in a puppy mill, and I rescued him. Like a child who was beaten by his parents. I rescued him, so it is a positive story, if you care to hear it.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by summergal

I'm not defending dog bites at all. Simply stating facts. Sorry but all large dogs are loaded weapons. Unfortunately most people neglect to understand this. Dogs do make decisions. And they react to what they perceive in the moment. How is your dog supposed to know if a person is coming in the door to harm the family or not? You have to make that judgement for him. If you are not seen by that dog as pack leader, he will make that decision on his own and not look to you for the answer. If you were not there when the guy came through the door, he was forced to make the judgement on his own in that moment. Sorry, but you can't expect a dog to think things out like a human or just except any 'ole body through the door. You also can't honestly expect a dog to be pulled around by it's tail and not defend itself. To say they shouldn't bite under any circumstances is beyond silly. That's just flat out rediculous. That's precisely the mindset that leads to many bites.

I have seen dogs dragged by their tails, ears and everything else by small kids who don't know any better and they may try to get away but never use it as a trigger to maul a child to death. If that was the case there would be no dogs of any kind in homes with children. And yes, if I have children, I do expect if the dog gets it's tail pulled to not defend him/her self.

[msjbrent]

Originally Posted by vpcats

The only reason I would ever want a BIG, BIG property (land) would be so that I could take in every homeless, abused, unwanted dog in creation. I wish I had more land right now but my two dogs are more than enough at the moment. I've been wanting a 3rd dog and I'm crazy enough that I may just do it soon. They do cost a fortune to maintain properly though. Between shots, spaying/neutering, microchip, flea & tick, heartworm, food, treats, toys, and obedience training.....darn stuff adds up! Not to mention any unplanned problems.

You sound like me! I've been voluntering and working with rescues for years. I currently have five dogs (just lost my eldest ) and only live in a 3,300 square foot home. I plan to take on a sixth this summer. I try to do all I can. As far as the cost I make it 'managable'. My fiance knows there is no cost for me on giving a beautiful furkid a loving and safe home. There are always other areas for ME to cut back on unessecary spending.

[msjbrent]

Originally Posted by macguy

I have seen dogs dragged by their tails, ears and everything else by small kids who don't know any better and they may try to get away but never use it as a trigger to maul a child to death. If that was the case there would be no dogs of any kind in homes with children. And yes, if I have children, I do expect if the dog gets it's tail pulled to not defend him/her self.

You expect if a dog is being harmed, annoyed, bothered by a little twirp AKA kid to just ignore it? Do you know how insane that is? Do you know they have feelings, aches and pains? Oh ok, so someones misbehaved spolied kid is hurting the animal they should just stand there? NO- why don't the parents of these monsters teach there kids not to do it? Imagine if the dog wasn't feeling well and the twirp thought it would be more fun then it's toys to hurt it? It is the parents job to teach kidness towards animals! I hope you choose one or the other- but don't make a dog live with you and your kids that are not taught kindness or household rules.

[summergal]

Originally Posted by macguy

I have seen dogs dragged by their tails, ears and everything else by small kids who don't know any better and they may try to get away but never use it as a trigger to maul a child to death. If that was the case there would be no dogs of any kind in homes with children. And yes, if I have children, I do expect if the dog gets it's tail pulled to not defend him/her self.

Like I said, every single dog I ever knew growing up had bitten someone at some point. Most often because one of the kids was picking on it and it got sick of the torment. Ya know what? We learned not to do that! Or parents told us we would get bitten and we did... and all of our folks said "see that's what you get for tormenting the poor dog!" We learned to respect the animal.
So your assessment that most dogs don't bite kids is incorrect.

90% of reported dog attacks are on a family member at home, half being boys under 12. All kinds if dogs DO bite kids all the time! Very few are fatal. Did you know that getting bitten by a dog is the second most frequent reason for childen going to emergency rooms? Seriously, out of 800,000 dog bites each year, less than 20 are fatal... only 1/3 of those are pits. This hysteria is so overblown and not founded in fact at all. It's just emotional knee-jerk fear. Did you know there was a mauling death by a polmeranian? It's true.

Any one who allows a child to torment a dog, ANY dog, is setting the stage for an attack. The really "nice" quiet dogs are the ones who can really lash out unpredicably because they take alot of abuse and don't offer clear signs of attacking until they totally feel so desparate, they just "snap". These are the ones who you will say "He's always been a nice dog. He never would hurt a fly. I don't know why he just snapped." Yeah, teach your children to treat animals with respect and stop blaming the dog for a trying to protect itself. You wouldn't put up with being dragged around by your ears but you expect a defenseless pup to suffer this abuse? If you truly believe what you are saying, my advice is don't own dogs. That attitude doesn't work well with dog psychology. Or at least do some very serious study on dog psychology and behavior before having another. Honestly, they don't think or see the world like we typically believe they do. Expecting dogs to be perfect on our terms is unrealistic.

[spunky1]

I have had dogs all my life and not one of my dogs has ever bit anyone. I find it amazing that so many people have dogs that bite.

[msjbrent]

Originally Posted by spunky1

I have had dogs all my life and not one of my dogs has ever bit anyone. I find it amazing that so many people have dogs that bite.

Same for me too. 11 dogs myself and 14 for my parents and no bites. It is up to the owners to teach them. As well as the children. It's just one more thing parents have to do if YOU deciede to have kids. You have to teach them to be kind to animals.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by msjbrent

You expect if a dog is being harmed, annoyed, bothered by a little twirp AKA kid to just ignore it? Do you know how insane that is? Do you know they have feelings, aches and pains? Oh ok, so someones misbehaved spolied kid is hurting the animal they should just stand there? NO- why don't the parents of these monsters teach there kids not to do it? Imagine if the dog wasn't feeling well and the twirp thought it would be more fun then it's toys to hurt it? It is the parents job to teach kidness towards animals! I hope you choose one or the other- but don't make a dog live with you and your kids that are not taught kindness or household rules.

Putting the welfare of a dog above a child, now that is insane. It is nothing but a dog and if it bites or is a threat in any way it should be put to sleep. Some of these people and their animals are ridiculous.