tdierikx

If the on lead dog is under "effective control", then surely it would follow that it should not be the one to make the first aggressive move, yes? If the on lead dog bites the off lead dog, and a fight ensues where one or both dogs are in need of veterinary attention, then it would probably be up to eyewitness accounts of the incident that will swing the "fault" one way or the other. I own larger breed dogs - I have been in situations where an off lead dog has approached with intent, and my dogs take their lead from ME, not the other dog's antics. that is what I take the meaning of "effective control" to be - not just the fact that my dog is on a lead... I've seen plenty of on lead dogs who were clearly NOT under "effective control" by the people at the other end of those leads... *grin* T.

I think you should write a book Jed - you have the best way of getting your point across... I was giggling like a nutter through most of the first part... T.

Hahaha! Tango has more smarts than Dylan... but I bet it doesn't work twice... T.

Why? Are you in the habit of teasing people with a tasty mouthful of rotting entrails? Stranger things have happened... *grin* T.

This is my current foster pup Winston - he's a Koolie cross... T.

Hahahaha! Glad you aren't MY mum... lol! T.

If there is ever a next time event like this... call the police if no-one else will come to get the dog... One morning I had a stray (and very nicely behaved) Husky turn up on my doorstep at 4:30am... on a Saturday no less. No council rangers on call, and RSPCA phone went to a voicemail telling me to leave a message.. so I called the local cops and explained the situation, and they sent a paddy wagon around, picked up the dog and took him to the RSPCA night pens. The cops have keys to those here... You did what you could at the time - good on you for that! And if there is a next time, at least you have a few more options to explore now... T.

*giggle* That is definitely funny! T.

Ummm... where do you live? I think I need to sneak in and get me some puppy cuddles... *grin* That is one very pretty pup! T.

Pitbulls are not bred to be human aggressive - people have to handle them even if they are used for fighting other dogs - and be able to handle an injured dog. By general breed nature, they are bred to be aggressive to other dogs - IF bred for fighting. Don't believe the media hype that "pitbulls" are bred to attack people - or that they will "normally" attack for no reason. That said - I don't think I've ever seen a dog that was "born bad" - born "damaged", yes - but not inherently "bad", "evil", or "nasty"... Upbringing definitely has a huge effect on how a dog will "turn out" - and, as stated by others in this thread, early socialisation and training has a big impact on later tendencies. I have a Rottie/Pittie - she was certainly a handful as a pup, but with constant training and socialisation, she has turned out to be the loveliest dog who has never shown any evil tendencies towards humans - but I'm sure that if she wasn't trained and well socialised in those early months, the story could well have been very different with regards to tendencies towards other dogs. She has never shown any hint of human aggression - even when pushed... I've had my fair share of foster puppies for rescue - and many have been larger or bull breed mixes... honestly, I find they are easier to train and socialise than the smaller breeds. My fosters are not rehomed until they have been well socialised and had some basic obedience instilled. T.

OMG!!! That river looks like it would have been a bit scary for poor Dylan... I don't think he'll go too close to it again... T.

I jumped into a flooded creek to rescue our farm dog when he had stupidly gone in after a wayward duck... my mum still bags me about that - nearly 30 years later!! T.

I remember once when I was doing a bit of rock hopping with my Rotti girl to get from the main beach to a more secluded cove around the bay (Middle Harbour area of Sydney) - I turn around to see where the dog is, and if she needs help finding her way - no dog in sight.... AARRGGHH!!! Now this is a 40kg Rotti we are talking about - she can't just disappear, right? Well, I retrace my steps and find her wedged down about 2 feet between 2 big rocks, just waiting patiently for me to come and save her... the look on her face said "well - took your bloody time!"... so I'm perched straddling these two large rocks, reach down, and with one hand, manage to pull all 40kg of Rotti up and out and onto the biggest rock. It's amazing where you can find strength when your baby needs you, isn't it? Now - I think one SC needs a very stiff drink... and 3 spotty dogs all need some extra cuddles... it's been a big day... *grin* T.

This is gonna be one EPIC fail... foster failure that is... hahahaha! T.

The mum won't be far away... don't try to take them... Report them and have the authorities remove them. T.

Easy to say after the fact, but I would probably put the dog in my car and taken it to the nearest open vet clinic and hand him in there as a stray - then they would have made sure he got to the pound and at least had a chance that rescue might take him and rehome him somewhere better... You did good - whatever happens now is not your "fault", OK? T.

Honestly, Cesar Milan could learn a thing or two from young Jack... the boy is a total natural with animals... ... and he's a lovely little gentleman with humans too! He's a massive testament to you and your OH... the perfect child... *grin* And little Bailey is shaping up to be every bit a wonderful as his big brother... I think it will be hard to beat young Jack for his award... I can honestly say I've never met a little boy with such a touch with everything and everyone he meets. T.

Yeah - definitely not going to be a foster failure... suuure!!! Hahahah! T.

Hahaha! I smell foster failure... T.

Animals in pounds are not necessarily "unwanted" - there just isn't enough time to find them all new homes in the regulation time set by the various acts in each state. And sadly, there isn't the space to hold them all indefinitely while they wait for their prospective new owners to walk through the door... Rescue can only take certain numbers of animals - for similar reasons - so it's usually their perogative to take the ones that might have a better chance of rehoming in a reasonable timeframe. This means that they can then rescue more animals. Most rescue can only take animals whose time at the pound has been served, and who are at a very real risk of being euthanaised to make space for new arrivals - literally at the final bell so to speak. Many rescues that scan the pounds/ pound sites for certain types of animal that may be their specialty or preference, and they will put their name on that animal to be rescued if it doesn't have direct adoption prospects straight from the pound. Who are we to cast judgement on their preference for a specific type, age, breed of animal to rescue? It's their choice to do rescue, but that doesn't mean that they have to take everything that is available when it's time is up - they know what they can cope with, and they make their choices based on that (and a few other things besides). How, and to whom, they rehome is also their choice... some may have what appear to be crazy or bizarre requirements, but there is usually a reason why they make those decisions also - and they probably are somewhat reluctant to discuss those reasons over and over again to an unsuccessful applicant for a particular dog. No-one likes to be told they can't have something they want, but sometimes you just have to suck it up, be an adult, and move on... Oh - and there are rude or strange people in almost any industry that deals with the public - why should rescue be any different? *sigh* Not all of us are fanatical people who don't think anyone else can care for animals as well as we do... find another rescue and try them instead... T.

Like k9ange says, the requirements should be applied to the individual dog's needs... not every dog will require round the clock attention from it's family, not every dog will have high energy needs like walks and stimulation for x hours of the day... reputable/ethical rescuers understand the dogs in their care, and will usually tailor questioning, etc, to the individual dog. Blanket refusals based on certain things like working fulltime are a bit extreme IMO... I work fulltime, have 2 permanent furkids of my own, and I foster for rescue - my fosters are happy and well adjusted and can fit into a home that doesn't spend 24/7 with them... T.

Grrr... little Winston foster puppy sat quietly in his crate and watched little Miss Zoe foster puppy take some tissues from my corner table and chew them up on the couch... I only noticed when I heard her knock something off the table and went to investigate... I should be suss when they aren't making any noises... T.

You are doing a great job SC... you stepped in when you had to, and let them re-bond on a lovely long play walk... well done! T.

When a lot of these stories about disappointed potential adopters come up, we can only speculate as to what happened - especially in the cases where the dog was rehomed to someone else. The case that GayleK states is a worry - rehomed well before any quarantine period has been completed... not a good idea in most rescuer's books... apart from the fact that they really couldn't "know" the dog very well before rehoming it, what about it's health history, etc?? T.

Both Tango and Dylan look to be very happy with their lot living with you SC... two adorable big puppies... T.