Dangerous dogs: uncontrollable harm

[zaminda]

I worked for Royal Mail, and never came across any pstie who kicked a dog, probably because they have to go back there every day! Often dogs come flying at you, and the majority are friendly, but if you don't know them, or they are big dogs, it can be quite unnerving. I think its the bag which does it most of the time. However, I'd use a box outside rather than one of those wretched containers behind the letterbox. If you don't understand why, stand outside and try and post something through!

 

[Technique]

I have a JRTxLakeland who looks like butter wouldn't melt. She has been brought up with the same care, individual attention and boundaries as my other (impeccably behaved) dogs, however she has to be muzzled when out in public and is rarely off the lead unless we are in an isolated spot (then still muzzled). She is very loving and very loyal, but nervous of anything strange - and over protective, with a huge prey drive. Attack is her first form of defense to ANY strange dog/child/plastic bag/ hat wearer/thing with wheels!

Her bite wouldn't do much damage, but she could put a child off dogs for life. So I do consider her dangerous in that respect and have done everything I can to avoid such a confrontation.

What irritates me is when I see other dog owners giving me that look that says "can't you do anything with that dog?" Frankly, no - she has been cajoled, reasoned with, punished, sprayed, borstalled, all with minimal effect. If she was bigger, I would consider having her pts as she would be a nightmare to control, but she is a great companion and very loving with the family.

I guess my point is, if you have a dog with the potential to be dangerous, it is up to you as a responsible owner to manage that dog and take steps to eliminate the risk of harm to others.

Mind you, it did give me a certain sense of satisfaction the other day when I met my recently retired vet of over 30 years. He has just got himself a lurcher cross dog and she is the same as Jess. He told me that in all his years as a vet, when owners came to him that couldn't do anything with their dog, he secretly thought it was down to the way they handled it. After all this time, he has had to re-evaluate his positon, as he cannot do a thing with his and reckons it can only be down to nature rather than nurture!

 

[RainbowDash]

My dad was a postie up until he retired - (used to let my boy out as a pup and give him is dinner) - whilst still in his uniform. Having been around dogs all his life he was still cautious around strange dogs and bitten one time by a Westie.

His office actually handed out dog biscuits to posties to take on their walks in case of canine emergencies.

I have two big stupid black Labradors who adore posties - having written that above you can probably guess why...?

 

[SpruceRI]

His office actually handed out dog biscuits to posties to take on their walks in case of canine emergencies.

Interestingly I take horsey biscuits with me when I ride, solely as a protection against dog hazards of which there are 3 sets just down my own lane!

Chuck a bikkie at them and it often stops them in their tracks!

I've been a temporary Postie at times and can vouch for the fact that you NEVER use your fingers to push mail through unwieldy letterboxes! Or else you may lose them!

You use another piece of post as a 'ram' or you leave the mail half hanging out the letterbox no matter what the 'rules' say. As the 'rules' can't replace your fingers when the dog the other side of the door has quietly bitten them off!

By some luck, I still have all my fingers!

 

[pip6]

Like the biscuit idea. My bug bear is people who ride out with their dogs, & the dogs are totally out of control & of course the rider is in no position to do anything about it (just scream at them ineffectually). The guy from the neighbouring farm used to ride out with his 5 dogs who were an absolute nightmare, always going after my young mare. If the dogs are under control, fine, but all to often they aren't. Twice my girl has been attacked by dogs whilst I have been riding her (one got her down in a ditch with me still on top, the second i'd got off to reposition the saddle & the dogs attacked her whilst I was remounting, the man of the couple said they should apologise, the woman said no, that's what dogs do), both times GS incidentally, so my girl will kick dogs now if they get close to her.

Whenever I encounter a dog who is a problem, they start to come up behind I very nicely ask for them to be controlled. You always get the responses of 'don't worry, he wont hurt you', 'he's only playing', or just get blanked. My reply is if your dog gets close my horse will kick him, she wears metal shoes with road nails so there is a very good chance your dog will be fatally injured, it's not my horse that will get hurt, & it will be your fault for not controlling your dog in a public place. It's your choice, how much do you like your dog? Once they get that their dog may well get hurt, suddenly they call them back. Great isn't it, they care more that their pooch may get hurt than you getting badly hurt when their dog spooks your horse, but it works.

I love dogs, I hate seeing them out of control.

 

[Luci07]

Like the biscuit idea. My bug bear is people who ride out with their dogs, & the dogs are totally out of control & of course the rider is in no position to do anything about it (just scream at them ineffectually). The guy from the neighbouring farm used to ride out with his 5 dogs who were an absolute nightmare, always going after my young mare. If the dogs are under control, fine, but all to often they aren't. Twice my girl has been attacked by dogs whilst I have been riding her (one got her down in a ditch with me still on top, the second i'd got off to reposition the saddle & the dogs attacked her whilst I was remounting, the man of the couple said they should apologise, the woman said no, that's what dogs do), both times GS incidentally, so my girl will kick dogs now if they get close to her.

Whenever I encounter a dog who is a problem, they start to come up behind I very nicely ask for them to be controlled. You always get the responses of 'don't worry, he wont hurt you', 'he's only playing', or just get blanked. My reply is if your dog gets close my horse will kick him, she wears metal shoes with road nails so there is a very good chance your dog will be fatally injured, it's not my horse that will get hurt, & it will be your fault for not controlling your dog in a public place. It's your choice, how much do you like your dog? Once they get that their dog may well get hurt, suddenly they call them back. Great isn't it, they care more that their pooch may get hurt than you getting badly hurt when their dog spooks your horse, but it works.

I love dogs, I hate seeing them out of control.

Me too. If it was that easy I would all three out with me hacking but I can't as I know I cannot control them properly on board. To me, control means being able to keep your dog focused on you and to LEAVE all other humans and dogs alone. Also to stop and wait when told. I have one dog I have nearly trained but still have to stick to short rides as she will not ignore people and that is bad manners. SEriously thinking of coupling her to my friends working cocker who IS fully trained to teach her that leave means leave when on a hack. Needless to say, on the floor, she has no problems.