[poohbearsmom]

For those of you who are relatively "new" to dogs, and for those of you who aren't - I am sharing the following information with you - not for your sympathy, but to encourage you to step back, and truly take stock of your relationship with your dog; what steps do you earnestly take to understand canine behavior, temperament weaknesses, and the repercussions of not taking full responsibility in rearing and keeping a working dog properly.

3 days ago, I was attacked and bitten by a dog belonging to the Working Group. (NOT A ROTTWEILER). The injury I sustained is quite serious, and will require months of healing, and months of chronic pain. Thankfully, the dog did no damage to tendons, ligaments, arteries, or nerves - however, the wound measures over 11 inches long, and 6 inches wide, and it's up to an inch deep in places, and will likely require reconstructive surgery and skin grafting... Enough about me...

This dog is of a breed which has been developed as a guard dog - with very defensive temperament characteristics. This dog was not socialized enough as a puppy, and lives the life of a kennel dog (which there is nothing wrong with, as long as the dog receives adequate time and attention and training)...His schedule usually consists of living in the kennel, then out to the yard with kennel mates a few times a day, but receives very little human contact, save for being fed and groomed. Essentially, he and his kennel mates are tuned into dogs more than humans. The only warning I had of the impending bite - I saw the dog stiffen - no growl, no barring of teeth, just a slight posture and Whammo.. I had no time to get out of the way.. only time to bring my arm up to protect my face.

This dog was tested at our training field last year, for prey drive, to see if he would be easily worked... the dog was fearful of the tug, even when we put it on a very long line. This should have been a big wake up call to his owner. Red Flag City... it was not taken in that light.

So, basicly, what we have here is a dog bred to be a defensive guard dog, who is of weak temperament, and somewhat fearful....Because of the style of upbringing this dog received... Because his owner rarely took the time to work on the mental development of his dog.... Because this man ignored (or was completely oblivious to) body language and warnings the dog had given me before (this dog has bristled and postured at me since he was around a year of age - he's now 3).... and because his interests heavily lie in the conformation of his dogs, rather than the whole package, this man set this dog up for failure from the beginning. The dog didn't stand a chance in this environment.

Folks, I implore you to educate yourself. I implore you to not make excuses for not attending training classes. Read books on behavior, and LEARN about this animal you've brought into, or are bringing into your life. The impact on the lives of me, the man who owned this dog, my husband, my employer, (the list goes on) is immense - and all because this man did not deem it important to deal with the "whole" dog.

He FAILED his dog. And in turn, his dog FAILED.

If you choose not to take the necesary time out of your life to devote to your Rottweiler, then don't have one. The responsibility that comes with owning a dog from the Working Group is so immense and the liability involved is even greater. Don't be a statistic.