How Can We Stop Attacks?

[moondog]

Using the "think globally, act locally" approach is my preferred way to address the problem, by setting personal examples. Wherever our associations lie, there is an opportunity to influence. Breeders can influence breeders, trainers can influence trainers, owners can influence owners, dogs can influence dogs, and the interactions between them influences them all.

And influence we will, for better or worse, like it or not. Personally, I choose "better" and I choose "like it". As an owner, my dog's behavior has an impact on those who experience it. I chose the breeder, I chose the puppy, I chose the trainer, and it is ultimately up to me to know my dog's inclinations and manage them appropriately, because that's the commitment I made when I decided to bring her home with me in the first place.

If the impact of my dog's good behavior serves to encourage someone else to try a little harder, great! I know the good behavior of other dogs has encouraged me to try a little harder and do a little better. There will always be people who don't give a hoot, and nothing any of us say or do will change that, unless they decide that it will. Only the law abiding abide by laws. From those people, you can only protect yourself.

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Originally posted by moondog
Ok then, I don't agree, I take it back :D Since you're using children for your analogy, try this: If a baby is given up for adoption and you, by virtue of adopting that child, have assumed direct supervision and responsibility for that child, then the child grows up and bites somebody, are the birthparents liable? Don't think so. ;)

No, in that scenario the life was never brought into the world at the parent's "behest." (love that word - "behest"). I don't want to get off on an adoption tangent because this discussion is so interesting, but imho, most adoptions are not planned. That is, someone doesn't go out and try to get pregnant just so they can give up their baby for adoption (though I'm certain there are exceptions!) So my analogy doesn't work with an adoption - it wasn't really at that person's behest that the new life be brought into the world, it was by accident, and they don't take the responsibility for the life from the get-go.

And for an unplanned litter of pups? If you as breeder aren't willing to take responsibility for those pups for their entire lives, then they get aborted, or you find a breeder who will "adopt" your bitch and take over the lifetime responsibility of pups.

Signed,
someone who's expanded that brief moment of fantasy into a full length novel

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

I think education, volunteering, etc are all good, but I think more radical steps need to be taken.

I, among others here, cannot even educate members of our own families on how to train and keep their dogs. Strangers are going to listen to us? Maybe some will yes, and if I can help change the life of one dog, or save one child from being attacked, then my efforts are worth it. I'm just saying, education is not enough. JMHO! ;)

[moondog]

A surrogate mother and an unknown sperm donor, perhaps? :D It was a nice fantasy while it lasted! :p

[MybabyZeus]

Wow Deborah,

That is awesome!:) You have really put alot of thought into this.

[WorkinDogz]

S&BM.....

We're a society of "enablers". We see it here; in this forum alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the time.

We PASSIFY people and FAIL to make them accountable for their own VOLUNTARY actions.

Joe Idiot (who probably shouldn't even OWN a dog) breeds her. Joe Idiot is given sympathy instead of being forced to LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS DONE.

Accountablity. Without the sugar-coating GARBAGE and the "It's ok honey's" that all too often accompany irresponsible acts.

You did it; now own up to it. But the enablers will never see fit to practice the tough love.

Does it take Legislation to shake people to wake up? I don't know...... What I do know is until SOCIETY says "ENOUGH ALREADY! What you're doing is WRONG and we WON'T tolerate it anymore!" then even Legislation won't help.

[moondog]

Originally posted by WorkinDogz
Does it take Legislation to shake people to wake up? I don't know...... What I do know is until SOCIETY says "ENOUGH ALREADY! What you're doing is WRONG and we WON'T tolerate it anymore!" then even Legislation won't help.

WD, Do you think legislation would work if society did say "enough already"? I don't know, it seems to me that the worst offenders would just go underground when faced with a truth they did not want to hear, which would hide the problem rather than solve it. I don't want those problems covered up, I want 'em where I can see them.

[TrishB]

Questionnaire For Prospective Dog Owners:

1) List the members of your household and their experience with dogs
2) What type of home do you live in?
3) If you rent, lease or live in a condo, do you have written permission to have a dog on the premises? If there are limits on the type or size of dog, what are they?
4) If you have children, what precautions are you willing to take to accommodate the children and the dog?
5) Obedience classes are a must for any dog - how much time and effort are you willing to invest?
6) Do you have a trainer already selected? Who? How did you arise at that decision?
7) Who is your regular veterinarian?
8) May we contact them?
9) Regular veterinary examinations and vaccinations are mandatory – are you prepared for this financial burden?
10) What type of research have you done regarding the breed your are considering?
11) Is your lifestyle stable enough to offer a loving, caring home to a dog for the next 10 – 15 years?
12) The responsibility of dog ownership is a large one – how do you plan to meet that responsibility?
13) Where do you plan to have the dog spend the majority of its time?
14) What sort of exercise schedule are you planning for your dog?
15) How much effort are you willing to invest into socialization of your dog on a continuous bases?
16) How many previous pets have you had? What happened to them?
17) Are you prepared to be held responsible for your dogs’ actions? Good and Bad?
18) When do you plan to neuter or spay your dog?
19) What precautions are you willing to take to accommodate your neighbours and community to ensure their safety and comfort levels with your dog?


What else would you like to see on this list?

[WorkinDogz]

Originally posted by moondog


WD, Do you think legislation would work if society did say "enough already"? I don't know, it seems to me that the worst offenders would just go underground when faced with a truth they did not want to hear, which would hide the problem rather than solve it. I don't want those problems covered up, I want 'em where I can see them.

Well right now; the worst offenders are out where everyone can see and they thumb their noses and do whatever their little heart desires.

They even advertise their irresponsiblility in Newspapers. Under "Pets" in the want ads.

I don't necessarily think more Legislation is the answer. But I do think that people can be and should be held accountable for their actions.

Dog Fighting is illegal. We all know it still happens.....but we don't see it on the street corners very often...and they certainly don't take out an ad in the paper promoting the next Pit Fight.

Do you think there is an increase or decrease in the AMOUNT of organized dog fighting since the Law forbidding it was placed on the books? Decrease; of course.....not elimination (that would be foolish to even think it would happen) but a significant decrease.

Unethical breeding will never cease and desist altogether. Irresponsible ownership won't ever be a thing of the past. But I really DO believe that through EDUCATION (one dog owner at a time...regardless of breed) and a DESIRE by the RESPONSIBLE portion of dogdom to see a significant decrease in the decline of dogs; and NOT ACCEPTING excuses or even saying "well...the puppies are here...so CONGRATS!!! Yipee! Aren't they adoooooorable!!" then I think *some* people would benefit.

[2rotties2luv]

My two rotties are Delta Society registered therapy dogs; besides visiting a nursing home weekly, we volunteer to do a presentation on "dog bite prevention" in elementary school classrooms.

Yes it takes effort - I work full time & every time I visit a classroom, I use 1/2 day of my vacation time. Why do I do it? Because I have a chance to EDUCATE young minds on the importance of training!!!! Also, to teach them the correct way to behave around dogs, and what to do if a dog threatens them.

During classroom discussions, I've been ASTONISHED at the number of kids who are AFRAID of their own family dog, and SHOCKED at the number of kids who say that they've been bitten. When the kids comment on my rotties good behavior - when they ask me why my rotties don't jump, push or bite - THEN I have a chance to explain about TRAINING YOUR DOG.

When I hand the leash to a 6 year old and the kid says "SIT, SIERRA" and Sierra's butt hits the floor, they can see what training does. It's a very graphic example - when the kids compare their own family dogs' behavior to Jazz and Sierra's behavior - WHY EVERY DOG NEEDS TO BE TRAINED.

I'd like to think, that with the hundreds of kids I've spoken to over the last three years, my time hasn't been wasted teaching these things. Certainly, not everyone is going to take my advice, but many kids are not even aware that there IS such a thing as dog training.

EVERYONE who has a well-trained and socialized rottie has the means to EDUCATE the public. And I fervently believe it is our responsibility as rottie owners to be the best examples of what a well-trained and socialized dog should be. And then we should get out there and EDUCATE people.

THAT'S WHAT JUST MIGHT CHANGE SOME MINDS !!!!

[moondog]

Fair enough, thank you! ;)