Wake up Call - Are you failing your dog?

[jakesfostermom]

Originally Posted by spidey

I hope you heal quickly, and in addition to my sympathy for the pain and distress this has surely caused you, I have so much respect for you for having the strength to use this the way you have in this post.

Pooh - Ditto me on this...and let's hope that someone out there is paying attention and a situation like yours is avoided because they took notice and took the responsibility seriously that comes with owning dogs.....Thank you!

[Judi W]

I would like to add to amada's "no dog" that no person deserves to be inured because an owner refuses to put down a dog that is dangerous.

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by spidey

ANY dog will bite, given the right (wrong) set of circumstances.

This is something I was taught when I first got into Rotties back in the 80's. A canine officer that was a member of our Schutzhund club told me this and it stuck with me ever since, for it is VERY true! People that say their dog would NEVER bite are fooling themselves. Sure if we train and socialize our dogs and provide strong but fair leadership it should help lesson the chances that they will bite, but they are still an animal and somewhat unpredictable. For some dogs it will take alot to push them to the point that they feel the need to bite. For others it takes very little, but EVERY dog will bite under the right circumstances.

It is the same thing with horses. I have never told someone my horse doesn't kick. Sure she has never kicked me and goes out of her way to make sure she doesnt even kick anywhere near me, but if the right circumstances presented themselves, (whatever they may be) I just may end up with hoof prints on my body

Originally Posted by spidey

NO dog, regardless of size, deserves to be treated like a teddy bear instead of a dog. NO dog, regardless of breed, deserves to live in the confusing, frightening world we create for it when we force it to go without training, socialization and clear, fair, reasonable leadership from its owner. And NO dog deserves to be set up for failure through a lack of responsible ownership, be it socialization, medical issues or management. Dogs do a remarkable job of fitting into our society, we owe it to them to do whatever we can to help them - we need to TEACH them how to live peacefully and happily with humans, I think too many people forget that.

VERY well put Spidey!

Elisabeth,
THANK YOU for sharing that picture! I think people really need to see what a large dog can do to someone. Imagine had that been a childs face. I am so sorry that it happened to you! I hope that you heal completely and quickly! When you originally posted this I had no idea exactly how bad the bite was until today when I saw the pictures. I can only imagine what you went thru during the bite. What a horrible experience that must have been for you! That bite looks extremely painful. I am so sorry for what you are going thru.

I have seen pictures at work of dog bites inflicted on children and I have to say they are horrifying! I was sick to my stomach after looking at pictures of a little girl that was mauled by her families pit bull. Her and her sister had been playing tug with the dog. One child had the tug, the other was tugging on the dogs tail. The dog turned around and bit the girl pulling on her tail. This all happened while the parents were sitting right there
When are people going to get a friggin clue?!?!?!?!?

[spidey]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I would like to add to amada's "no dog" that no person deserves to be inured because an owner refuses to put down a dog that is dangerous.

So very true. I got so carried away with my speechifyin' there that I forgot to mention that (and in THIS thread, of all places to forget that!). Some dogs simply cannot live safely with humans, for whatever reason (bad wiring, bad handling, whatever), and I think that people who truly love and respect dogs are capable of recognizing when the only right thing to do is put a dog down, rather than endangering people out of a misguided desire to help a dog who cannot be helped, or an inability to see what the responsible choice is. It shouldn't be a difficult choice (dealing with the emotions involved may be difficult, but the actual decision shouldn't be), and I think we have to work on helping people understand that it's not the worst thing in the world to humanely put a dog to sleep, things like what happened to Elisabeth are FAR worse, and should not happen, especially when there were more than enough warning signs. Things like this are what give ammunition to the BSL movements, and people who love their chosen breed should, in my opinion, be some of the most vocal proponents of the "you can't and shouldn't save every dog" idea.

[Patty1231]

I'm a newbie at dog owning but I know a dog is a dog and although Rocco has an extremely good temperment he is still a rottweiler. I watch both my dogs carefully. I am always amazed at the posts here where someone will keep trying to go to extraordinary means to rehabilitate an animal that shows so many signs of aggression. With all the GOOD dogs in rescues across the country I just don't understand why people would continue to throw time and money into an animal of this sort while endangering themselves and others. I do understand the emotional connection but I agree that it can be far more humane to let an animal be at peace.

[damp]

Spidy said it ALL!

It makes me furious to see such a picture Some dogs should be put down… BEFORE an injury happens!!!

There are no excuses for bites. If the best training doesn’t work, there is no other choice but a one way trip to the vet…NO matter how “sweet” the dog is.

I curse the day the dog (and any animal for that matter) became ONLY a pet and people got so emotional involved, so they... in the name of LOVE for the dog... justify ALL lack of respect for other people's life and health.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

I'm a newbie at dog owning but I know a dog is a dog and although Rocco has an extremely good temperment he is still a rottweiler. I watch both my dogs carefully. I am always amazed at the posts here where someone will keep trying to go to extraordinary means to rehabilitate an animal that shows so many signs of aggression. With all the GOOD dogs in rescues across the country I just don't understand why people would continue to throw time and money into an animal of this sort while endangering themselves and others. I do understand the emotional connection but I agree that it can be far more humane to let an animal be at peace.

Exactly my thoughts Patty. I work at the SPCA & see all of the wonderful dogs who slip through the cracks while people try and rehabilitate a dog who is just not right.

Elisabeth---I have never seen an image like that & think that it will be a wake-up call to a lot of people. I'm glad that this thread was stickied. Thank you for sharing your experience with us all.

[diddybopper04]

Just saw the photo of your wound.



Your post hits home, and everyone should read it.

Hope you are recovering as well as can be expected.

[rottnkidd]

Elisabeth- I'm seeing this thread and the image for the first time. I'm glad to hear you're doing as well as you are. The image is truly graphic and it's obvious the dog that delivered it meant business. How sad for you to have to endure this emotional and physical pain because of an ignorant, unattentive owner who lacked motivation to work with this dog; and how pitiful for the dog that sealed his fate with that bite.
Wishing you the best-
kathy

[Judi W]

Not all dogs have the tools to live among human families and communities. That is just a fact. Ignoring that fact and working around the dog, does not change the basic character of that dog. All too often the owners think that because they have been given some tools for adjusting life to the dog (do this, don't do that, only touch the dog here and in this manner, don't look at the dog, don't wear a hat, and so forth) that the dog has changed when in fact the environment is changed and become regulated. Then too often, the owners become complacent - after all the dog has gone xxxx amount of time without biting anyone - and are surprised when the dog's basic temperament and character appears and someone is hurt. Having such a dog in your keeping is a very large responsibility. These dogs are not for family living. Honesty in all is the primary in owning dogs.

The basic and correct character of the Rottweiler is one medium in suspicion level and not easily provoked. When provoked they do not back down easily. They are honest dogs. Showing aggression or defense when there is no threat is absolutely incorrect and inventing reasons for such is simply fooling yourself. When inclined to forget this, go back and look at the photo. This is what happened to someone you know! Not an article in the newspaper where you can pretend that the victim must have teased the dog and deserved to be injured or worse. If the Rottweiler is your choice of breeds, remember that this is a large and powerful dog capable of doing great damange. Correct character and temperament is critical. A fearful dog is a dangerous dog. A good Rottweiler is beyond compare, capable of being an excellent companion and family member when given the correct upbringing.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Not all dogs have the tools to live among human families and communities. That is just a fact. Ignoring that fact and working around the dog, does not change the basic character of that dog. All too often the owners think that because they have been given some tools for adjusting life to the dog (do this, don't do that, only touch the dog here and in this manner, don't look at the dog, don't wear a hat, and so forth) that the dog has changed when in fact the environment is changed and become regulated. Then too often, the owners become complacent - after all the dog has gone xxxx amount of time without biting anyone - and are surprised when the dog's basic temperament and character appears and someone is hurt. Having such a dog in your keeping is a very large responsibility. These dogs are not for family living. Honesty in all is the primary in owning dogs.

The basic and correct character of the Rottweiler is one medium in suspicion level and not easily provoked. When provoked they do not back down easily. They are honest dogs. Showing aggression or defense when there is no threat is absolutely incorrect and inventing reasons for such is simply fooling yourself. When inclined to forget this, go back and look at the photo. This is what happened to someone you know! Not an article in the newspaper where you can pretend that the victim must have teased the dog and deserved to be injured or worse. If the Rottweiler is your choice of breeds, remember that this is a large and powerful dog capable of doing great damange. Correct character and temperament is critical. A fearful dog is a dangerous dog. A good Rottweiler is beyond compare, capable of being an excellent companion and family member when given the correct upbringing.

Thank you Judi for your elloquence. Your experience and wisdom in this world of dogs is once again displayed with the above comment.

Honesty is the best policy. Being honest with oneself is perhaps one of the most difficult obstacles that stand in the way of any one dog's success at life.

[TrinityRun]

E,

You know my heart goes out to you. You've taken a horrible incident and made something positive out of it. I'd like to know what happened to the dog? (My apologies if it's been stated and I've overlooked it.)

[Disturbed_Angel]

PBM, i am so sorry this happened to you and i think you have done an amazing thing to write something so well out of it. I must admit i do refer to my Rottweiler as my 'furbaby' but at the same time i am well aware of her strength and power, i am aware what happened to you could happen to anyone, and for that reason i am vigilent while out walking and she is involved in training classes. The way i see it is, she may well be my furbaby but she sure as hell is not everyones and i must protect her and everyone around us. Again, i'm sorry this happened to you, it looks agonizing, i will you the strength to get through this and i hope yoo heal soon, take care, Carrie

[Mick Trainer]

Sorry to hear about the injuries and hope you get better soon. Having been bitten on several occassions I share your pain.

Also your points in this post are so true and well made. It staggers me how many people in ours and other defeseive orienated breeds do not adequatly understand nerve development nor the result of fear upon behavior and temperament.

Bad reason for such a post but good point for one and all.

Mick.

[JaniceH]

Hello Elizabeth,

I have just read this thread for the first time. I am so sorry this has happened to you. It is very frightening when people do not take responsibility for their dog, no matter what breed.

I hope your wound heals ok. Take care.