Why hasn't your dog attacked someone?

[TrishB]

This might seem like a silly post, but it serves to note why our dogs HAVEN'T attacked anyone.

Parker has never hurt anyone (no, I don't count when he steps on my feet ). Here's why:

1) I got him from a great, responsible, COE breeder.
2) He's healthy (not in pain from HD, illness, etc.)
3) I never let him run at large
4) He's supervised every moment he is off leash in legal areas
5) Heavy emphasis on socialization from the day I brought him home
6) Obedience training - ongoing and continuing

Why hasn't YOUR dog attacked anyone?

[JD102175]

Originally Posted by TrishB

This might seem like a silly post, but it serves to note why our dogs HAVEN'T attacked anyone.

Parker has never hurt anyone (no, I don't count when he steps on my feet ). Here's why:

1) I got him from a great, responsible, COE breeder.
2) He's healthy (not in pain from HD, illness, etc.)
3) I never let him run at large
4) He's supervised every moment he is off leash in legal areas
5) Heavy emphasis on socialization from the day I brought him home
6) Obedience training - ongoing and continuing

Why hasn't YOUR dog attacked anyone?

Pretty much the same as your's except for:
1)Lord knows where he came from, but it certainly wasn't a COE breeder
2) Pretty much healthy except for mild HD
3)Same
4)Same
5)Same
6)Same
7)He's a big mush who loves everyone he gets the opportunity to slobber on , and even those that he doesn't.

Jaime

[LORHEL]

1. I don't know her background as far as breedingwise. I do know who owned her and that she was highly socialized, every day went along with her then owner so she is used to all kinds of people.

2. I don't let her have an opportunity. If she's out in our yard, regardless of it being 6 foot, gates secured, I am out there with her. I might let her out for a potty break alone, but I am constantly watching her, any sound and I am out there. She has no access to either side of the house (where I can't see her) and is never left out during the day while I am at work.

3. I have put her through several obedience classes, and we train no matter how small every day. I make sure she understands I am the master/boss, and that she is the dog. There are no in betweens.

4. I continue socializing her, and do positive reinforcement, etc.

5. I give her the attention she needs. I don't leave her tied up out back alone, in fact I don't tie her up anywhere, for that matter. I realize her desire to protect, and respect that, however I also make very sure that she is not the one who judges situations to be dangerous or not, I am. I do not rely on her for personal protection.

In general I try to think like a dog, when it comes to matters, so that I can understand her behavior. That doesn't mean I act like her, I just get inside her head so to speak. I am very fortunate that she is an extremely good natured rottweiler, and accepting of all people (that I accept) and has a good demeanor and personality.

[lblax]

all dogs will attack if given the proper stimulis, and all of the previously stated reasons are must do's. but to me the most important reason is that i have never given my dogs human emotions or qualities, i know there limitations and i accept there limitations without excuses.....

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by TrishB

1) I got him from a great, responsible, COE breeder.
2) He's healthy (not in pain from HD, illness, etc.)
3) I never let him run at large
4) He's supervised every moment he is off leash in legal areas
5) Heavy emphasis on socialization from the day I brought him home
6) Obedience training - ongoing and continuing

Why hasn't YOUR dog attacked anyone?

Ditto!

Plus,
I am always aware of what is going on around us when we are out and about. I always keep an eye on them for signs of stress during our outings. At the first sign of stress I immediately remove them from the situation.

They have had ALOT of exposure to many different people and situations. I believe that socialization and training should continue thru the dogs entire life.

One of the best things I did for both my dogs and I was join Rott.net! Thanks to all the wonderful members here I have become a better owner for my dogs, which in turn has helped make Akasha and Keil better members of society

Originally Posted by Iblax

all dogs will attack if given the proper stimulis, and all of the previously stated reasons are must do's. but to me the most important reason is that i have never given my dogs human emotions or qualities, i know there limitations and i accept there limitations without excuses....

Larry I totally agree with you! When we first got involved with Rotties back in the 80's, I remember my instructor telling me, "ALL dogs will bite under the right circumstances" I agreed with him then and I still agree. It is something to always keep in the back of your mind when dealing with dogs. No matter how much we love them, they are still animals.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by TrishB

This might seem like a silly post, but it serves to note why our dogs HAVEN'T attacked anyone.

Parker has never hurt anyone (no, I don't count when he steps on my feet ). Here's why:

1) I got him from a great, responsible, COE breeder.
2) He's healthy (not in pain from HD, illness, etc.)
3) I never let him run at large
4) He's supervised every moment he is off leash in legal areas
5) Heavy emphasis on socialization from the day I brought him home
6) Obedience training - ongoing and continuing

Why hasn't YOUR dog attacked anyone?

1. no clue of Ben's lineage but I'm betting he's not from a COE breeder..I could be wrong but I don't care.
2. he's as healthy as I can keep him, no HD that I know of, a bit of stiffness when we play/exercise alot but he's on Glucosamine for that (as am I!).
3. as long as he's been with me he's never been allowed loose in the neighborhood or anywhere not safely fenced.
4. he's either on lead, crated or in a safe fenced area at all times when with me (or he's safely in the house).
5. I think I've taken my DOG more places than I've been with my husband...so socialization has been key with him - I've been told he's OVER social .
6. training, training, and more training...even when we're done 'training' we'll still be training!

Now, if you are a tennis ball or a squirrel, you're fair game for him as long as you're moving...can't say THOSE items are safe from Ben although he's never caught a squirrel!!

[MontanaRott]

Because we never ever ever set him up in a situation where that is a possibility. And because he is a goof who would rather be a lover not a biter.

[Judi W]

Although I train and each dog to advanced competition level, as well as being a pretty darn good dog raising person, I will say that the "why not" is genetics. Fearless and with a strong desire to work and to please the handler. I point them in the right direction but the basic character is genetic. The fearlessness is what makes the dog disinclined to see boogy men or to be inappropriately over-reactive to stimuli. I manage the very high prey drive with activity.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I manage the very high prey drive with activity.

GREAT point Judi. I think this single factor is what trips up a lot of people. You can't fight drive - you have to accomodate it.

[Roxibear]

This woman really annoyed me by insisting that Rotties could never be trusted. Apart from my usual reply about the way you raise them and kinda walking away, I noticed she was really small. I added that dogs were like people, the smaller they were the more inclined they were to be crabbit. Now I don't believe this for a minute, but you should have seen her face.

[Roxibear]

Oops, tryinng to read too many threads at once, my above reply was meant to be in the public perception thread.

[Leader]

Leader never bit anyone cause he got his nookies in the ring:)

Blaze doesn't cause she's not interested (big frown. I can't seem to get the smiles to work anymore!!!!)

All that is BESIDES good breeding and good education and UPBRINGING obviously!


Leader

[murdock maclean]

I think it all dependes where they come from

[blackandtan]

My dogs have never attacked anyone because they are Rottweilers.

[rottnkidd]

I agree with it being genetics, health and rearing. If a dog as powerful as the rottweiler is left to his own devices, without leadership, training, regular physical and mental exercise with human interaction, then the results can be disastrous.
Best wishes -
kathy