Stupid people & dangerous dogs thread

[Stirts]

Whilst I agree with the sentiments and general point, the concept that dogs know right from wrong is not correct. I think ascribing morality and anthropomorphising dogs is one of the issues that leads to poorly behaved dogs.

Fido does not cower when you come in because he knows he ripped up the house whilst you were out. He cowers because he has learned (through repetition) what happens when you come through the door and your body language changes on seeing the mess.

"the concept that dogs know right from wrong is not correct" hmmmm could be, possibly, maybe...
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...e-ethical-dog/

"Canids, like humans, form intricate networks of social relationships and live by rules of conduct that maintain a stable society, which is necessary to ensure the survival of each individual. Basic rules of fairness guide social play, and similar rules are the foundation for fairness among adults. This moral intelligence, so evident in both wild canines and in domesticated dogs, probably closely resembles that of our early human ancestors. And it may have been just this sense of right and wrong that allowed human societies to flourish and spread across the world"


Maybe right and wrong is too specific, I am no behavioural scientist. But my personal belief is that it comes down to training, both humans and dogs.

[Stirts]

Yes and no....based on breeding some dogs have more developed drives that will tend to certain behaviours. Training can redirect those drives to more desirable behaviours but cannot eliminate the drives.

And I think that is where our training needs to step in. Understanding those drives and taking precautions to eliminate/minimise any adverse effects.

[bluninja]

"the concept that dogs know right from wrong is not correct" hmmmm could be, possibly, maybe...
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...e-ethical-dog/

"Canids, like humans, form intricate networks of social relationships and live by rules of conduct that maintain a stable society, which is necessary to ensure the survival of each individual. Basic rules of fairness guide social play, and similar rules are the foundation for fairness among adults. This moral intelligence, so evident in both wild canines and in domesticated dogs, probably closely resembles that of our early human ancestors. And it may have been just this sense of right and wrong that allowed human societies to flourish and spread across the world"


Maybe right and wrong is too specific, I am no behavioural scientist. But my personal belief is that it comes down to training, both humans and dogs.

I believe the authors of that piece are ascribing human characteristics to their observations where non exist that fit their world views (vegan, animal rights campaigners). After all, there was so much research done on wolf packs that created they alpha, beta roles and theory of pack dominance that created a whole dog training industry (Cesar Milan et al) that was show to be poor science.

[Grumph]

Maybe right and wrong is too specific, I am no behavioural scientist. But my personal belief is that it comes down to training, both humans and dogs.

Correct - while all dogs, like all people, have the potential for violent behaviour, it is possible to train them to be sociable. some people on the other hand....
There is always the possibility of a provoked attack, even from the best trained dog. This is what a good owner should watch for and be aware of the possibility. Unfortunately a responsible attitude like this is not common.

Oh, and the comment re sharpies back a ways, the Shar Pei crosses which are common are giving a good breed a bad name. Our purebreds are very well socialised.

[bluninja]

Oh, and the comment re sharpies back a ways, the Shar Pei crosses which are common are giving a good breed a bad name. Our purebreds are very well socialised.

Well the pong from a pure bred Shar Pei is pretty anti social

[Paul in NZ]

You can train them all you want but just like people there are dogs out there that are just ticking bombs… They all have personalities and as such there are dogs with personality disorders. It does not always show but at some point they are going to pop… Animals bred from these defective individuals because they also possess other traits that some find useful will inherit the basic disorders.

Couple that up with people (call it stupid if you like) who can’t even recognise their own failings in life and you have a real issue on your hands. Dogs are just one easily recognised facet of the problem.

My limited experience is that I wouldn’t trust an animal like that within a hundred miles of a child.

[Stirts]

My limited experience is that I wouldn’t trust an animal like that within a hundred miles of a child.

My experience is that I don't trust most children within a hundred miles of my maltese x chihuahua. Just because he is small and cute, doesn't mean he should not be approached in the way you should a big dog. He is after all a dog too.

[bluninja]

My limited experience is that I wouldn’t trust an animal like that within a hundred miles of a child.

I tend to err on the side of caution with dogs and children. Both can be unpredictable....usually when you aren't paying attention. My dogs are fine with people but I try to ensure they are never unsupervised with small children. My daughter thinks it's ok to have my dogs around loose with her 8 month old daughter crawling ...I disagree...I have a perfect track record with my dogs and children in my home, and outside; I intend to keep it that way. Keeping a dog is a privilege and a responsibility not a right.

[ellipsis]

...not a dog lover but dislike humans more than dogs...just had a couple of Malamutes move into our little rural patch...the dogs may be ok, but I have a feeling they make the little bloke that owns them, feel big...which worries me...

[Stirts]

Keeping a dog is a privilege and a responsibility not a right.

Couldn't agree more!!!

I would bling but I have spread myself too much in the last 24hrs.

[TheDemonLord]

As a Dog lover, I find myself increasingly annoyed at Breeds being singled out as 'dangerous' as opposed to Fuckwits being singled out for Fuckwittery

Some breeds do need special attention in certain areas (early socialization, keen eye for any agression towards other dogs) and some breeds need someone with experiance training dogs, some breeds have been bred to have specific attributes that need to be understand and accounted for.

But seriously - we should look at Euthanising the owners before the dogs....

[Laava]

...not a dog lover but dislike humans more than dogs...just had a couple of Malamutes move into our little rural patch...the dogs may be ok, but I have a feeling they make the little bloke that owns them, feel big...which worries me...

Having lived with one, I would never trust one.
Friend of mine got attacked by a pitty in Kaeo just before xmas. She was walking past a swimming hole in the river there where a family had their dog on the loose. To be fair, it was attacking her dog not her, but as she had picked her dog up to protect it, she got lunched on the face. Anyway, after her dog had been scalped and the useless owners finally stepped in to control their mongrel, the usual police and ambos turned up.
End result? This may be different in the case of a human being the actual target... But, It is now a option, of the owners choice, to euthanise or keep their pet under new conditions. The animal control and police seem to favour the latter for a couple of good reasons. The first is that people want to keep their pets and have to jump through a few hoops to do it. The second is that the victim, not in all cases, has better closure if these steps are taken.
So,.. The owner has to pay for, neutering, court costs expenses and fines etc, fully fence their approved section, have the dog on a lead AND muzzled at ALL times when off the property, attend animal control and obediance courses and be monitored every three months for a set period.
This is the preferred method in this case because if the owners just surrender their dog, they are more likely to just get another one and continue the cycle. My friend, was happy with this outcome too.

[george formby]

I tend to err on the side of caution with dogs and children. Both can be unpredictable....usually when you aren't paying attention. My dogs are fine with people but I try to ensure they are never unsupervised with small children. My daughter thinks it's ok to have my dogs around loose with her 8 month old daughter crawling ...I disagree...I have a perfect track record with my dogs and children in my home, and outside; I intend to keep it that way. Keeping a dog is a privilege and a responsibility not a right.

Concur.
My dog is as sweet as a nut, obedient, playful and balanced but I do not allow her to end up in a situation where she may become defensive. Physically she can be a real handful. So strange dogs, kids & people I do not like the look of are avoided. Prevention is better than cure. Set the dogs up for success.

[Flip]

These dogs do seem to want to be owned by wanna be gang members, boy racers and other peti criminal scum. It's a pity that the few decient dog owners who have a legimite reason to own these dangerous dogs are going to have a law passed against them. But I supposed if it saves just a few children having their faces ripped off it will be worth it.

[jasonu]

I tend to err on the side of caution with dogs and children. Both can be unpredictable....usually when you aren't paying attention. My dogs are fine with people but I try to ensure they are never unsupervised with small children. My daughter thinks it's ok to have my dogs around loose with her 8 month old daughter crawling ...I disagree...I have a perfect track record with my dogs and children in my home, and outside; I intend to keep it that way. Keeping a dog is a privilege and a responsibility not a right.

Best post in this thread. If everyone thought and acted like this there wouldn't be a problem.