LizT

That is correct..and we are led to believe that a puppy farmer kept feeding a desexed dog for 18mths... Yeah, I'm having trouble getting my head around that one I would have thought a commercial breeder would have offloaded the dog asap.

See it just goes to show that intelligent rational people own dogs too and not just idiot bogans who don't give a toss. I'm sure there are heaps more out there who aren't DOLERS too.

Well that certainly sounds like the breed description!!! What a worrying situation all round.

Same here re" wanting to help. I've got nothing 'new' to add but like what is being said here. It is a very frustrating situation and Public Education re Dog Ownership has been lacking for so long already. I would have liked to have seen more on the TV years ago. I think it needed to start at the 'root' of the problem. Tackling problems such as "Where does your puppy come from?" Responsibility, care and education. It begins with Puppy selling Pet shops/BYB's and education (or lack thereof) of the Public in Dog Ownership. IMO alot of the problems we have regarding Dog Ownership have snowballed from these areas to the mess we have today, creating kneejerk reations such as BSL and leaving the fundamentals of the situation untackled.

With regard to "bite release" in a dog that has hold of another dog. My husbands Grandfather used to race Greyhounds (circa late 1940's/early 1950's) my husband tells me that when his Grandfather had to break up a fight between dogs he picked up the front paw of the dog that had the 'hold' and would squeeze the paw very strongly, and this made the dog let go. I personally think that this method would result in a bit hand!

Can you elaborate a little please Paulni?

Are these the same dog? The Anatolian was the German Shepherd colouring type of dog. The scared girl was black and white staffy type.

Well, for better or worse WE have created a society in which dogs can no longer be left to their own devices, walked in public off lead or even in their own neighbourhoods and parks. We have taken away the natural socialisation that used to occur in the days when children played in the street. Imagine kids trying to play "kick to kick" outside your house in the middle of the road today with two or three dogs joining in! Today people are subdividing their backyards because kids don't use them anymore, they have a Nindeno Wii for exercise and other indoor stimulation. Also they have far less 'free time' available due to the more structured after school activities (sports, music etc.) and heavier homework loads. So in leiu of that we need to create "socialisation' opportunities, obedience clubs, permissable areas for dogs etc. etc. and admist all this some have fallen short of the task.

I think the "scared girl" also made a very good 'example' of the 'types' of dogs people will be surrendering. Another 'victim' through no fault of her own.

You came across well but I felt your time was all too brief. Well Done Cosmolo. How scared did that poor black and white dog look. Poor things. And then when I switchedacross the Channel Nine story on dumped PB types was still going. People are afraid of being attacked by random dumped dogs in the street now. How irresposible can people be?? Don't worry I already know the answer to that.

So if you saw a loose dog on the road that looked a bit freaked out you wouldn't stop to see if you could catch it and take it to a vet for a microchip scan? This guy could have 'called the dog over' to catch it perhaps. Maybe not a dog savvy person, maybe it was a bitey dog who knows. Just this afternoon there was slow traffic on the M7. Two large lean mastiffy type dogs loose on the median strip of the M7 A concerned guy pulled over and caught them, and then a motorcycle highway patrol also stopped to assist. No doubt these 2 saved those dogs lives. I swear they must have fallen off a ute, as the surrounding area was all concrete sound proofed. Okay I'll admit I've been known to look out for the well being of the odd wandering dog. But I doubt I'd be encouraging anyone to call over a strange dog in a park as opposed to one wondering on the roadside. Also on the flipside I've had my dog picked up from the front of my house/property as she patiently waited for my then young dog and I to return from a training walk around the block. Someone saw her sitting there, at our gateway, went over to her and clipped on a horse lead, drove down to the council offices where they phoned me after checking her rego and finding out she was collected from the front of her rural home! The Shire told the Do Gooder to return her to where had taken her from.

Don't they just! I guess it comes back to basics. Don't touch a dog you don't know.

IF the reporting is correct ..... That's the trouble isn't it. WE NEVER get to hear the whole full story or find out the circumstances behind the event. It leaves those, who are trying to help and get their heads around whats going on to merely speculate scenarios.

I agree. I believe that these dogs are not loved family members in the first place but possibly dogs that were obtained as status symbols, possibly also poorly trained and handled and having even shown signs of aggression. And that the owners are running scared.

Exactly...and when I hear of a dog biting an adult person in the face.... I have to wonder where their face was at the time of the incident? Particularly with an unknown dog.

Oh Cavs have the drive and do wonderfully at obedience and agility. Of course you have to watch those patellars, but the same goes for Poodles and Paps. I think the problem with Cavs is too many owners allow them to get fat. They are very economical to run LOL Also very obliging little dogs, if you're up for something they are in it...if it's a long walk OR even if it's just watching TV! Re Paps, most I see at Shows are very well behaved dogs, they certainly are one of the smartest of the small breeds and the owner certainly needs to keep them stimulated. I think alot of the "Yappiness" you see at the Agility level is sheer excitment. I think if delt with correctly in the young dog should easily be curbed to be tolerable. Even CKCS get excited about the fun things we are going to do.

Double up.

This is particularly hurtful to the owners of smaller breeds who go to a lot of trouble to train their pets but are just dismissed offhand by small dog predjudices. What is it we are all saying about being 'tarred with the same brush' in regards tp BSL? It's the same thing. I'm sure the ratio of 'small dog to idiot owner' is probably on parr with 'larger dog to idiot owner'.

Rottweilers were in the line of fire before pitbulls. Yes, Indeed Sheridan, as were and are the German Shepherds. I wonder do these poor girls and other victims of Dog Attacks get any kind of councelling or therapy that involves dogs (say DAS dogs?) so they don't have to be so fearful? Anyone know?

That poor white dog looked utterly terrified. Be at peace, little one. Yes Sheridan, I felt so sorry for the white dog with the eye patches. Very very sad. I was frustrated with this part of the segment. Many dogs are terrified upon entry to a pound or shelter. Different smells, sound, vibe etc. Often it can take them a day or so to settle, a small number shut down completely and can be difficult to assess/work with. This can happen with any breed though, including SWF's What they didnt show was the happy, well adjusted staffy mixes who happily sit at the front of their pen with a smile and bum wiggle for every passer by. Introducing two stressed dogs through the fence like that is just stupid, an expected response from the dogs under the circumstances. Camera/sound men just adds to the stress, obviously done for show. You did an awesome job Sumosmum! congatulations and thank you Monty is gorgeous! Well done Sumomum. Rational, sensible reporting is so important at this point. Agree re above statement of fear in eyes of white dog. One of my CKCS would have a similar look in her eyes if she were in that situation!

Any good reputable rescue will know its dogs and would only rehome to an appropriate home. I dont think that getting from a rescue is a negative, just because they have come from a pound doesnt mean they arent fantastic dogs I'm more inclined to feel that the first time family are actually better off with a puppy than with a Rescue dog. It really depends on the dog of course and what it's background is. But a rescue can have some issues whereas the puppy is a clean slate. The important thing is they are willing to accept that the dog is their responsibility for life, that they take it to puppy school, keep it socalised and look after it accordingly. Of the three you listed I would say Golden Retriever, but there are many other breeds that fit the bill. As you say, it would really depend on The Rescue Organisation. The dog. The family. No. Not necessarily a negative but I've seen quite a few "Rescue disasters" over the years. Perhaps things are better organised these days, better screening, better compatabilities.

That is good news. Did you ever find out what the actual problem was??

Sadly sometimes even the best of yards have trouble containing some "Houdinis". This becomes most evident on New Years Eve and other "Fireworks" nights and during bad electrical storms. And sometimes idiots just leave the gates open. Or worse don't believe their dog would roam and don't fence properly to begin with.

It's important to try to be considerate of other dogs when out in public, particularly off lead areas, but so often the problem lies in people having a nice time and not being fully aware of their surroundings and the coming and going of others, large and small. So many people think "Off lead' mean "free for all". It doesn't mean all the dogs MUST play with each other and jump on every person there!!! This is where these stories make you feel good because these people ARE being aware and it makes it so much nicer for all creatures, great and small.

I agree Kavik, but if sensible people this can be done post puppy school with more home training and lots of public outings etc. Lots of puppy school people get the training 'bug' and decide to go further too, soon realising their pet (and they)need more.