I have 3 dogs, 2 are super friendly with people and the third is friendly with family but feels it's her job to protect us from strangers. She is very obedient and listens to anything we say and has never bitten anyone but ultimately it is our responsibility to be aware of her and her environment to ensure that there are never any problems. Luckily we live in the country and she has lots of room to exercise. I don't think I would take her to a park where there is lots of people I wouldn't want to put her in a situation where she is stressed and behaves in an aggressive manner. Better safe than sorry.

send green star

I think that to control the children's and keep them away form dogs adult supervision is needed, but I also think the general public needs (properly) educating about dog communication. Until we have this education and acceptance of responsibility, dogs will continue to be placed under more & more restrictions, with little (or no) effect on the number of dog bites.


folic acid

send green star

I think that dogs bite and/or act aggressive because of the history on how they were treated. Just like some Pit Bulls are aggressive and mean, but others are friendly and lovable.

send green star

Thanks.

send green star

What people forget is dog are animals, not human. They act in a pack, family. They will defend their family, territory as it's their nature. People who treat their dogs like people are setting them up for problems as you can see if you ever watch the Dog Whisper. Great show for getting insites to the canine. People who leave children with dogs alone are asking for trouble. A dog defends itself with a nip or bite. It's their nature. No hands. Even a family dog, unless it accepts the child as part of the pack and sees itself at the bottom of the pack cannot be trusted with kids. It's all understanding the animal. Nipping is not good whether it's a teacup dog or mastiff. My dog was from a pound. I knew, because I'm aware of dogs, that she would be confused in a new house. Had to accept a new leader. She is my protector and didn't except my husband when first dating. She was #2 as far as she knew and he was bottom. This had to be fixed and was with time and patience. Still today, men she is wary about (smart), but doesn't air bite after them anymore. Children, I would never leave alone with her as they want to hug a big dog. A dog takes that as a threat. You can't own a dog, horse, cow, or what ever successfully without understanding that animal. Here's something to try to find your real friend, lock your boyfriend or husband in the trunk of your car with your dog. After an hour open it up and who is happy to see you? LOL

send green star

You rased some very good points, Lisa Bee, and I want to congratulate you on the patience and love you have for your dog!

send green star

For the most part the problem is studies like this are ineffectual. I have watched people at the Humane Society "test" dogs for adoptability. It is a BAD way to test. Dogs reactive differently in the Kennel setting then they do when in your home. Jack is a very good dog, but he is a ONE person sort. In the Kennel setting no one person really dealt with him and he was frightened and well behaved. When we brought him home? He attached to me. Shortly after we got him he became real protective over me. I tried taking him out to socialize him. But when a man stood up he would go into protective mode and bite. Fortunately it was a very understanding man. Jack literally jumped into the air to bite him on the bum! Sounds funny but it wasn't and that was the last time I took him to be social. He didn't enjoy it anyway, he was nervous and wanted to protect me. At home he is fine with family. He has bit a few times. I always discourage this and he gets a swat for it. It doesn't matter. He is determined to protect me. A dog's love for their owner is their basis of protection. We have another dog who loves everyone, and yet when I got mad at a door to door salesman and yelled him, so did Diego. LOL Barked just as ferociously as I have seen any dog. Yet that dog has never bitten or ever growled at anyone. Animals have their own ideas of what is what. You cannot change it, just try to dog proof your life. Studies are ineffectual because of the settings they are done in.

send green star

I would hope people are at least polite when posting a different opinion. We all do think differently and are in agreement at times. Sometimes I feel like some of my posts have been left out, but that's okay. There are so many comments at times. Getting along is good, especially on care 2.

send green star

Daniel, how can you say that??!! People like you infuriate me--you shouldn't be allowed to even walk down the streets because everytime a dog passes by you start thinking 'oh what a waste of space I'd kick it'. ????? It's so heartbreaking that humans don't realize dogs deserve so much respect and utmost care from us since they provide us with unconditional love, something no other human being can and trust me on that one. No, you Daniel know that for a fact and if you deny it then how pitiful.

send green star

I am always amazed at the amount of animosity that posters show to one another in some of these threads.
I believed that Care2 was an instrument to bring people together over common causes....not so. This isn't the first subject thread that I've posted in where some of the posters are going at one another's throats.
This makes me sad.

send green star