[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Britster

I don't like the words you chose for these statements... hitting and kicking. When did he ever kick or hit the dog? That's very misleading. I just re-watched the part you were talking about where he was staring her down and did not see any hitting or kicking. I didn't see hitting or kicking anywhere else in the episode, either. He gives a nudge with his foot on dogs sides, much like you would do to get a horse going. Bella is a strong dog, that did not hurt her a bit. She didn't even flinch. The Boxers I dogsit, to give them love and pet them, I will "hit" their butt really hard, if you know what I mean. I'm not hitting but with larger dogs, they don't see it as hitting. I don't know how to explain. But when the Boxer comes up to me, butt in my face and all, LOL, I give a few hard "hits" as petting. Grr, it's hard to explain. But if you've ever owned or been around large dogs, hopefully you would know what I mean.

He wasn't provoking her to become more aggressive, he simply walked up to her while she was chained on the leash. He even stated "That to me is a dog clearly on edge so I'm not going to push her buttons." She was aggressive, period. If any ole' person were to walk up to her, she was most likely to bite or attack, though no fault of her own. I don't see anything wrong with staring a dog down.

Boxers treat each other that way, it is their method of communication. Sort of like boys walking up and punching each other in the arm. So bumping them or pushing them is just speaking to them in their own language.