What do you think?

[linz06]

I just want to see how other people see these situations. There is a girl at work who is big into animal rights, and she does agility competitions and a lot of training with her three dogs (larger dogs).

First of all, she complained to me about a message her town's mayor wrote online, about being responsible pet owners. It had to do with handling aggressive dogs correctly, and making sure that any animals off-leash are in a fenced yard. The mayor wrote something about how this will help protect "precious children" and other pets. The mayor wants to make sure that there are no aggressive animals in town that are able to get out and hurt anyone else. This girl had a problem with that because she doesn't HAVE a fenced yard, and she is not going to put her dogs on a leash every time they want to go outside. One of her dogs is also aggressive (in barking only - has never had an incident). She is worried that someone will see that and report her and she'll have to put her dog down (I'm not sure where she jumped to this conclusion).

But.... .... why not build a fence???? I just don't understand how she is so irate about the mayor posting that all animals that are not fenced in, need to be on a leash. I agree completely!

Second to that, she told me that over the weekend at an agility competition, one lady who she respects a lot somehow left the crate door open during a social break, and her dog got out. Another woman's dog was out as well, and the first dog is known for being aggressive, and he got at the other dog and tore a strip of skin off the second dog's back leg. The missing skin was so big that they couldn't even stitch it together. Obviously it's a horrific accident that could have been prevented, but now the agility group is saying that the aggressive dog should not be allowed to come to their competitions anymore. The girl from work thinks that is totally unfair, because this woman lives for agility competitions and it was just an accident.

I agree that there should be some reprimand though - the dog was obviously not calm and comfortable to attack like that and maybe just doesn't do well in social situations with other dogs! Why keep forcing it? Plus, I think all owners at all times have to be responsible for the dog's actions. My coworker mentioned that since she also has an aggressive dog, she feels she is going to be shunned from doing competitions too, and if her dog does attack another, she doesn't think she should have to stop competing with him just because of that.

What do you think about these situations? I feel like I can't be the crazy one agreeing with the rules! They make sense to me...

[rubymoon2072]

i agree...the owner is the one responsible for their dog...same as if you had a child...i think she just wants the rules to work for her benefit and these dont. if your dog is aggressive then you need to make sure they are not put in a situation that doesnt work for the dog so the owner can attend agility classes and going to have the opportunity to harm another person's beloved dog. just my take.

[linz06]

Yeah that's how I see it! I think taking your dog to competitions is a priviledge if you and your dog follow the rules and are well-behaved, and I don't feel that just anyone has the right to go no matter how the dog acts. I wonder if she would feel differently if it wasn't the dog, but the owner who was assaulting and injuring others? They would be banned!

I don't like stirring the pot so I normally just listen to complaints like this and bite my tongue. I had to bite my tongue extra hard on this one. But I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks the rules make sense lol.

[Jacksmom052709]

I don't know about where you live, but here, to build a fence is rather expensive; however, I think she should keep her dogs on a leash if she is that afraid of being turned in.

As far as the competition, I agree, that the dog should no longer be allowed to attend. Obviously if he is aggressive enough to tear a chunk of skin from another pup, then he should not be allowed to be there any longer. Just my opinion.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Yikes! A dog that tears a strip of skin off another animal is pretty darn aggressive in my book. Most dogs just growl and bluff and might nip but to go in there for that kind of an attack and sustain that bite until flesh is torn away - that is pretty vicious to me. But you have to expect that almost any dog around a lot of other dogs at times where there is a lot of high energy and dogs are all pushing each others buttons and the competition has them amped to the max. They don't really know better naturally than to fight a bit sometimes if they aren't given a lot of structure and leadership and have a handler who can do a darn fine job of stopping a loose, hyper dog in its tracks with the word "stop!". Most dogs are not trained to that level - especially obedience trained in an area of high excitement and activity and energy. But if sounds as if the attacking dog went beyond a little fighting and sustained a vicious attack.

It is therefore imperative not to present for agility competitions a dog who cannot handle that kind of excitement and energy. You have to have a high-energy athlete who isn't dog-aggressive.

But I don't blame the agility people or the mayor of her town for wanting to keep other dogs and children and all safe from loose dogs who are vicious or nipping or whatever. They should be kept on leads or on the owner's property or in their cages at events because out on the run or at competitions with lots of energy in the air, dogs get hyperexcited and all too often, out of control. I'm for everybody keeping to the rules. And that person who lives for agility competitions can get a dog who is more manageable and start over.

[Mistymillar]

I wonder what her view would be if it had been her own dog attacked and hurt so badly, would that just have been an accident?

[linz06]

It is expensive to build a fence here too, but there are always cheaper options. It is also expensive to go to dog courses and competitions every weekend, and to care for three big dogs in the first place! They did just buy a home last year, and personally, when we bought our house and did not have money to build a fence, a fenced-in yard was a must-have for any houses we'd even look at. Our winter is long and cold - we had snow in October and we still have snow!! - so there's no way I want to bundle up and stand outside every time a dog has to pee lol! But that would have been a trade-off, if we had no fenced yard, you bet I'd be out there with my dogs on a leash!

I wonder if she'd feel differently about that too, if her dogs were little and could be attacked by bigger dogs? In her case, maybe she feels her bigger dogs can hold their own so they can be out without a leash.

And I also agree if her dogs were the ones who got hurt, she'd probably be looking at it all differently!

[DBlain]

you co worker has a bad attitude.

1. No dog should be able to roam loose for two reasons their safety and the safety of other animals and people. If she can't afford a fence that is her problem not her neighbors. I don't have a fully fenced in yard and therefore Lola is never off leash, someday I hope to be fenced in but for now I am not taking that chance and complain if people in my neighborhood let their dogs roam loose.

2. Aggressive dogs should not be permitted to enter events where more than one dog is off leash at a time.

[gemy]

The woman is in the wrong! And yes accidents happen, but heck with a known dog aggressive dog, you just can not be too carefull, at competitions.

She is lucky in one sense that the owner of the injured dog, doesn t lodge a complaint with the authorities.

And in that circumstance given the level of the damage done, the dog should be barred from competition. And in my opinion all agility dogs should have CDX or better before competing in higher level agility trials - at least CD to begin with. As puppies fine, they can practise agility in controlled lesson environment but hey at busy competitions they better know their commands.

And yes STOP command or a similar one, should be trained into each and every dog! Starting from when they are an eight week old puppy!

[CouversMom]

My view:

-Why should other people have to live in fear of your dog attacking theirs at an event because you want to be there? You should have a properly socialized dog to enter into events like this. They are going to be interacting with others and it is only fair that they not be aggressive.
-If your dog does attack, you should not be allowed to return with that dog. Period. I know for a fact this lady would feel differently if it were her dog that was attacked. What if that dog had attacked a much smaller dog? It could have killed it!

This lady is completely irresponsible to not have a fence, to leave her dogs unleashed and on top of that she KNOWS she has an aggressive dog! Wow... I wouldn't have been able to bite my tongue.

[yorkietalkjilly]

For her dog's safety and that of others, she should have a fence built.

[linz06]

I am so glad you all agree with me!

I didn't realize but they live in a brand new development. She just told me that the house next to hers just sold. She said that's bad news because her dogs go over there to do their business and now she has to make sure it's cleaned up every time they go out. And she said the house on the other side of them has contractors working on it every day so she's already having to stay on top of her dog's messes over there. She said she's been worried all day because she remembered one of her dogs pooped on the neighbor's driveway right in front of the garage this morning, and she forgot to pick it up before she came to work. But, she said, it was too early in the morning for her to go out when she noticed it because she was still half asleep and it's cold out so she's not going to be out with her dogs at that time of day.

Yikes. I'm glad I live in a different town!

[MandiesMom]

She's just short sighted to her own wants. Plain and simple.

I've never known a town not to have a leash law. Shouldn't be a surprise to her that this is happening.

When I first got Shelby, we didn't have a fence and he loves being outside. All I could do was get him a dog-run. This is the EXACT reason we have the house we have now. I rented a house (would buy it if I could - I love it) with the NUMBER ONE caviat that it had a fenced yard for my baby. I got Mandie after we moved into this house.

So, she has dogs and got a house without a fence - that's on her.

As for being at a social event of any kind - if you can't control your dog, you should not even WANT to go. Shelby isn't aggressive but he is excitable and jumps up on people and will bark at other dogs and want to play chase. Even when he's on leash, it's all I can do to hold his 70 lb body to me. I would love for him to do agility training and competitions. I think he'd rock at it. But I will never do it because *I* am obviously not good enough at training him to be calm. Again - that's on me so he stays home.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by linz06

I am so glad you all agree with me!

I didn't realize but they live in a brand new development. She just told me that the house next to hers just sold. She said that's bad news because her dogs go over there to do their business and now she has to make sure it's cleaned up every time they go out. And she said the house on the other side of them has contractors working on it every day so she's already having to stay on top of her dog's messes over there. She said she's been worried all day because she remembered one of her dogs pooped on the neighbor's driveway right in front of the garage this morning, and she forgot to pick it up before she came to work. But, she said, it was too early in the morning for her to go out when she noticed it because she was still half asleep and it's cold out so she's not going to be out with her dogs at that time of day.

Yikes. I'm glad I live in a different town!

What if the new people have children??? Sheez just lettung her dog's use the bath room anywhere they want, so wrong.

She needs a fence. Sounds like she has no regards for other people.

If she is feeling this way, well hmmm maybe someone should turn her in.

[JasmineNoelle]

She is a very irresponsible and self centered pet owner. Owning a pet is an expense, as every one should know before obtaining one, whether they require a fence, vet bills, emergencies, grooming, etc. Being a responsible pet owner is a must for the well being of ones pet and others. Obviously this person does not realize none of the above. It's a wonder her dog didn't do more damage to the other dog or to a child.