Aggressive small dogs

Soldato
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My neighbour used to have a tiny yorkie that would attack the feet of anyone and everything that came through the main gate, but it was always laughed off because it couldn't really do any harm.
One day, the stupid little **** tried it with a staffy upstairs (Nice, friendly dog) and got picked up and shook with no harm done. The dumb yorkie owner blames the staffy and labels it vicious while continuing to excuse her nasty little **** of a dog...

There are plenty of exceptions, but that's a very common attitude with little dog owners in my experience. That, and so many seem to be convinced that anything bigger than their dog is certain to attack it and effectively train their dog to be fearful of others by panicking every time another dog comes close.

Saying that, I also know loads of people with little dogs that are chilled out because they socialised them properly etc.
 
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Soldato
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You seriously don't believe that certain traits are bred into certain breads. A small dog that is bred for ratting is encouraged to be aggressive, fearless, dogged etc. Come on!
Hmm. Perhaps I worded that badly.

The defining factor of an individual dogs behaviour is its training, not it's breed. While accepting that breed might be a contributing factor.

I'm much more inclined to blame the owner than the dog.
 
Soldato
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Badly trained dogs come in all shapes and sizes.

That being said, some owners just don't understand how to respond to dogs with bad temperaments, got a dog who is aggressive around other dogs? Don't walk them around popular areas at popular times.
 
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KIA

KIA

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No. Punishing people and their animals who have done nothing wrong because of an idiot minority.

Not having a dog on a lead is irresponsible. I come across plenty of dog owners who do the right thing by having their dogs on a lead in public. It really isn't a big ask. People are free to let their dogs roam in gardens and on private land.
 
Soldato
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There's nothing remotely irresponsible about having a well trained dog off a lead in public.

Actually there is because the dog will be in an environment that is not solely controlled by the owner or that dog and therefore unforeseen situations may occur. It also assumes that the dog is known to be trained by everyone else in that environment but they will not and some people may well be potentially scared seeing a dog off the lead as a result. It's about consideration and empathy for how other people may feel and think rather than a specific problem with that dog. Not everyone will have the owners knowledge or experiences.
 
Soldato
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People may be scared seeing a lad in a hoody. Should we ban those too?

I'm not buying the justification. It's unnecessarily harsh and over-reaching.
 
Soldato
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There's nothing remotely irresponsible about having a well trained dog off a lead in public.

No, thats why we never see instances of so called well trained dogs attacking other dogs, or even people when off the lead. :rolleyes:

How many times do you have to hear "well he has never done anything like this before" in the wake of a dog attack before you accept that your outlook is flawed and that having any dog off the lead in a public place is irresponsible?
 
Soldato
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People may be scared seeing a lad in a hoody. Should we ban those too?

I'm not buying the justification. It's unnecessarily harsh and over-reaching.

I never said ban but feel free to argue against a strawman if you want. What I said was we should have empathy and using that empathy we should consider whether it is totally responsible to have any dog off a lead in a public area where contact with people is likely.
 
Soldato
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but if I was to shoot the pair of them (they have 2 jack russells) Is that allowed?
What do you think?
Go ahead. The bigger weapon, the better. I suggest getting a Browning .50cal. Be sure to let the cops know you'll be firing it ahead of time, though... Don't want any noise complaints, eh...
Seriously, though, the only time you can shoot a dog is if you're a farmer *and* the dog is hassling your livestock.

No. Punishing people and their animals who have done nothing wrong because of an idiot minority.
Actually, the law requires every dog to be on a lead while in public, in just about every local council area around. Most councils issue Dog Control Orders to such effect, along with things like fines for not clearing up your dog's crap from public land (Reading council will fine you up to £1,000!)...

There's nothing remotely irresponsible about having a well trained dog off a lead in public.
OK, so... Kid comes bounding up to your dog, shouting "YAY, DOGGIEEEEEEEEE!!!". Despite exceptional training, Dog feels really confused and threatened as no-one has ever done this. Stranger goes to stroke Dog, Dog rips scary stranger's face off in defense.
YOU are held responsible for the dog's behaviour and YOU will go to prison for up to 14 years.
A lot of people swear blind THEIR dog will never do this, but dogs take dislikings to the strangest of things sometimes and you never know what might set them off... One of mine hates hats and walking sticks.

You seriously don't believe that certain traits are bred into certain breads. A small dog that is bred for ratting is encouraged to be aggressive, fearless, dogged etc. Come on!
A dog may well be bred for certain traits if that breed is *more likely* to exhibit the traits than others... it will be even more likely if, as you describe above, it is further encouraged to behave that way.

But if all dogs were typical of their breeds, we'd not have such a huge number of Border Collies ending up in rescue centres (there are two BC-specific places in just our area alone), because they have zero interest or aptitude in being sheepdogs... or a third rescue centre packed with 'Status Dogs' like Staffies.
With the exception of Samoyeds, I've known more dogs who are the complete opposite of what everyone thinks their breed is than any other.

The owner responded by thrashing the dog while screaming "you always do this" at it. Brilliant training technique.
I have the opposite problem - People launch themselves and their own mangy mutts over to meet my "gorgeous" Collies, even if I stand forward and shout "NO!!!!!" at them several times. They always whine, "What's the problem? My dog is lovely and friendleeeeeeee!!".
Never occurs to them that mine AREN'T...!!

Truth is, one is a lovely boy and the other is one seriously petrified little gal... but Collies usually bond with just one person (me, in this case) and can sometimes be quite nasty toward scary strangers, especially formerly-abused rescues as mine both are. I don't want my dog put down over the behaviour of some ****headed human.
 
Caporegime
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Not having a dog on a lead is irresponsible. I come across plenty of dog owners who do the right thing by having their dogs on a lead in public. It really isn't a big ask. People are free to let their dogs roam in gardens and on private land.

Most of the people in my local parks are people with their dogs running around playing fetch, might as well bulldoze the parks if they can't be used for anything.

OK, so... Kid comes bounding up to your dog, shouting "YAY, DOGGIEEEEEEEEE!!!". Despite exceptional training, Dog feels really confused and threatened as no-one has ever done this. Stranger goes to stroke Dog, Dog rips scary stranger's face off in defense.
YOU are held responsible for the dog's behaviour and YOU will go to prison for up to 14 years.

That would happen if they were on a lead or not...
 
Soldato
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Scotland
I have the opposite problem - People launch themselves and their own mangy mutts over to meet my "gorgeous" Collies, even if I stand forward and shout "NO!!!!!" at them several times. They always whine, "What's the problem? My dog is lovely and friendleeeeeeee!!".
Never occurs to them that mine AREN'T...!!

Truth is, one is a lovely boy and the other is one seriously petrified little gal... but Collies usually bond with just one person (me, in this case) and can sometimes be quite nasty toward scary strangers, especially formerly-abused rescues as mine both are. I don't want my dog put down over the behaviour of some ****headed human.

I have seen this locally and seems to be known of by other dog walkers http://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/ . Basically a yellow ribbon/sticker/tag/bandanna on the dog lead or collar to signify that your dog likes its space and may not welcome other dogs approaching.

"What Is Yellow Dog UK™?

If you see a dog with a YELLOW ribbon, bandanna or similar on the leash or on the dog, this is a dog which needs some space. Please, do not approach this dog or its people with your dog. They are indicating that their dog cannot be close to other dogs. How close is too close? Only the dog or his people know, so maintain distance and give them time to move out of your way.

Why might a dog need space?

There are many reasons why a dog may need space:
◾Maybe it has health issues
◾It may be a rescue dog being rehabilitated. The world can be a very scary place for these dogs.
◾It may have had a bad experience with another dog or is just not like the kind of friendly dogs which always want to say “Hi!”
◾A bitch may be in heat
◾The dog may be in training
◾It may be very old and arthritic
◾It may be very nervous or shy and other dogs cause it stress

In short, a yellow marker on a dog means it needs some space.

Those of us who own these dogs appreciate your help and respect.

Thank you!"
 
Soldato
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I'm a postie and i find the type of dogs that tend to try and attack me are cairn terriers, west highland terriers and jack russells.

I really will have to kick one of them in the face one day along with the idiot owners who don't have them on a leash.

Some owners stand there smiling as they try to attack me like it's funny saying "he will lick you to death!" as i'm fending them off with my bag and also say "STOP IT!" or "NO!" a million times without actually doing anything to stop them.

I've grown to hate dogs!. :mad:
 
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