That means a lot. It can so often be blamed on the dog but myself and the OH have always stated that it is down to the owners. A classic example is the negative portrayal of the original 'Nanny dog', the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They get a terrible rep but are, without question, the friendliest dogs I've come across (as a general statement). I was recently out with my dog and came across an older gent walking a black Labrador. I asked whether he was friendly and, in hindsight, the chap perhaps didn't hear me but nodded politely towards me. I said to Daisy (my little woofer) to go and 'say hi', as she was patiently waiting by my side for the 'go ahead' and as she started walking towards the lab the owner pulled back and started hollering 'no, no'. I couldn't help but think that there was plenty of opportunity for the owner to make known that their dog wasn't friendly (assumption). My dog is about half-shin height, fluffy and forever wagging her tail. I'd hesitate to assume the owner thought my dog was a threat, hence the earlier assumption.As a dog owner myself, it truly saddens me to read this. This sadly gives all dog owners a bad reputation and also fuels the dangerous dog argument. Dogs like us humans have individual personalities and are the product of their upbringing be it good or bad, their environment be it claim or hectic and their genetics. Sadly a case of poor irresponsible ownership and i can fully empathise with your anger.
Absolutely, and rightly so in my opinion. My folks dog (black toy poodle, lamb cut not the ridiculous lion cut, very handsome and athletic, fast as lightning) was chased by a brown spaniel down the beach before, which made several attempts to bite the back of his neck. My mother intervened and picked up her dog and the spaniel went its own course. In short, she made an excuse for the owner because she had the dog as well as walking her toddler and pushing a pram on the beach. I said to her that I wouldn't have had any of that because she should have the foresight to know that her dog isn't under control if she's attempting to take care of two other anima...*ahem* children.I come across this kind of thing all too often , Taz was attacked by two Alsatian dogs when he was very young, I managed to intervene and the physical damage was not great but he has been mentally scarred for life and now is petrified of larger dogs and shows it through agressive behaviour to all big dogs we come across and yet time and time again I see people walking their dogs off the lead and out of their control , I have had to phyiscly grab hold of or even kick dogs who have tried to attack my dog while their owners have not got a clue what do do, it makes my blood boil and can ruin what should be a relaxing walk with my dog.
I hear of other dogs having being killed on our local beach by dogs out of control of their owners. I will do what it takes to prevent Taz getting injured by another dog, it is not the first time I've given a dog a swift kick and then let rip on the owners and I'm sure it won't be the last unfortunately !
Poor lad, I hope he is feeling himself soon.
Seeing my poor pooch suffering after having his plumbs taken away. Horrid seeing him all drowsy. Also dreading when the drugs wear off and he still has to have the cone on for 7 days and limited to 20 minute walks.
I'm taking my stick out on walks from now on, good idea.I've a friend who always takes a yardstick out with him when he walks his dog. He says he never has a problem with people not being in control of their dogs when he does. In a leaf out of his book I started taking a stick with me whenever I took the kids on the ridge when we lived in town. Holding the stick in both hands whenever I spotted a dog off the lead approaching was a fairly sure decider on how much the owner trusted the dog.
Listening to Brendan Foster and Steve Cram bimbling interminably and incoherently about athletics.
They boil my water.....and I hate athletics.