Adnil444

Hi, I agree with what the others have posted. You can give your dogs plenty of exercise and stimulation by other means. Dog parks are not the be all and end all. I've seen many incidents at them which give me concern. I now only go to controlled parks and lots and lots on leash walks. Good luck.

Hi Jen, I hope Rover is ok - I'll keep everything crossed for him. Hope you and your mum or ok too. Rocky & Rosie send healing vibes for Rover as well.

If you want to look at the BSL thread, there is a good discussion about BSL issues etc which you may find interesting. There is no blaming or flaming people, just a good discussion of people's thoughts, views etc. The thread is "To Unban Certain Breeds from BSL".

This is in response to Jed's posting, which was very informative. Hi, but from the examples of the horrible attacks you have given, I counted 14 pit bulls or pit bull crosses. From the article it also shows that people below the poverty level (which in turn means they have received a poor education) should not be owning powerful breeds like these listed. These people are below the poverty line for a reason - and I know that sounds harsh, but it is a reality (in most cases). Poorly educated, poorly resourced people owning breeds they have no idea about, how to socialise, how to train, how to care for etc etc. The majority of these people can't look after themselves, let alone their dogs. It's not the dogs fault in many of these cases. Dogs chained up in yards, never exercised, poorly bred, poorly maintained, is a recipe for disaster for any breed, but I believe that some breeds will react in different ways than other breeds. The owners of these dogs, regardless of their impoverished state, should be punished severely, maybe then others may think twice about owning a dog or dogs of certain breeds.

Hi Erny, yes they do exist and I have seen them and would like one myself. The one I have seen the ball is like one of those "staffy" balls - extremely tuff and they can't bite through it and the handles are not of rope but a materila like the Aussie Dog Throw. Check out the Aussie Dog website, they might have something similar. I have seen two-handled balls at Pet-O, however the ball would last approx 1 minute in my household.

I know how she feels Megan and it's not fair. She should be able to enjoy her walk, regardless of her dog being reactive. Her reactive dog wouldn't cause any problems if others kept their dogs on leash. I had a very tolerant male, that I walked every night with the two girls. He was a great dog, with recall and he bascially minded his own business his whole life. We had an incident one evening returning from our walk, where a couple of yap yaps were roaming the front of their house, they circled around my girls who were out in front of me, on their leashes and got between us. One of them bit my youngest girl on the hock and that was it for my dog, he grabbed it by the throat and neck. He did let go when told to, although he'd already done quite a bit of damage to the other dog. I like to walk my guys as a pack, but due to off leash dogs, I'm down to walking two at a time, although I would like to and can legally walk four at a time This is just so unfair for all the responsible dog owners. I know exactly how you feel. One of mine is a bit reactive with the swfs - though I have worked on her and she is much better and she can "almost" walk past them without any reaction (lots of praise and treats) all the while the swfs owners do nothing. I hope you can get back to a stage where you can walk all of yours together, enjoying yourselves. Maybe it's me, but I would think seeing someone walking several dogs at once, all on lead, that I would automatically give a bit of a wide berth - meaning move to the side of the path and let you pass, then we can continue on. That's what I do now - I move to the side so other people, joggers, bikers can pass easily. There is just so much ignorance and stupidity out there, it really does amaze me.

Wow thank goodness you are both safe - what a horrible ordeal and I hope that never happens again. I like Nekhbet's suggestion of the deep heat and the standing still, closing eyes for the child etc. I have also heard that carrying a bag of treats and scattering them away from you may distract the dog long enough for you to get away safely. I suppose if the dog is food oriented or not.

That's so sad - I knew Copper too!! I'm the same as all the others - I don't understand it. I would never ever walk mine off lead on any road, track etc. They are let offlead in fenced areas only. It only takes a second and I don't care how great the dogs' recall is, no dog is 100% perfect.

Great post - I agree with you. Unless a positive alternative is positioned, BSL will be here to stay. I personally would like to see these dogs in great responsible hands - showing us what they are really like and what a responsible owner can do with these breeds. Let's hope that something can be done in a positive way, that ensures the safety and wellbeing for not only humans but for the breeds themselves.

All dog people will potentially take an interest in them. Some people view the world through the glasses the media and the government has painted for them, and some just get on with their lives and judge life and everything in it on its merits. Sure you will see families wanting all kinds of breeds. edited for clarity I see what you are saying, but I don't agree that all dog people will take an interest in these breeds. Can you imagine if they allowed these other breeds in now, and they caused problems (which they will as they will end up in the wrong hands). The public outcry will be enormous - people will be up in arms about how can the govt/councils allow these dogs in, when they knew what "could" happen - not only will the owners/breeders be sued, but the people that changed the laws will also be liable - the legal ramifications here would be enormous. I certainly wouldn't want to be the person to tick the box to say they were allowed in, knowing full well that the undesirables of society will get their hands on them. If you could guarantee that only certain people (responsible etc etc) were allowed these dogs, then that is a different matter, but this is where the whole situation starts - how do you control who owns/breeds them and who doesn't. I also don't think it is fair to subject these other dogs to the same public reaction as the pitbull gets now. Isn't this breed alone proof that people don't understand, don't want to understand, read and believe everything in the media, see everything on tv (Bondi Vet last week a classic example - how many people do you think will be like that owner and the vet himself should have known better). The general public are the ones that do view the world through the glasses the media and govt have painted for them. I don't think they really care that the Pitbull can be and is a lovely dog in the right hands, they just hear Pitbull and want it gone. Do we not have already enough breeds of great dogs to choose from (and cross breeds) that can meet everyones needs?

Yes this could work, but, isn't this like shutting the door after the horse has bolted?? Meaning for example - it's Child Protection Week - many kids could be saved from abuse but the authorities will do something after the abuse has happened, rather than ensure the abuse doesn't happen beforehand. i.e. stop the dogs coming in that are known fighting breeds or dangerous dogs etc, before they become a problem (and they will as they will end up in the wrong hands). I don't like BSL, DOL has been a great eye opener for me, however I can't see a system like you are suggesting being accepted (though I think it could work, but it would open up a legal minefield - freedom of choice, discrimination etc). Just a quick question for you - who do you think will be attracted to these other breeds on the BSL list if they were available? Personally I see a certain type of person wanting them, and breeding them for not the right reasons. I doubt that you will see many families wanting a Filo or Presa to take down to the local dog park on a Sunday afternoon. To many people, these dogs will be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I agree, but how do you go about doing that? How can you stop a particular person or group of people from owning/breeding these types of dogs? Law enforcement has been trying to stamp out drugs and it hasn't happened, even with the huge amounts of education etc that goes into the community.

Agree to a point. What about the dogs that are DA - I don't think BSL is just for attacks on humans, it's also for the attacks on other dogs/animals. I regularly get dog magazines from the US and the breeders (of fightging breed dogs) that are featured in these magazines always state that they generally are not good with other dogs. Often breeders of Amstaffs etc suggest that if you want a dog to take to dog parks, then don't get an Amstaff etc, look at another breed. Agree with what the others have said too, the APBT is the one that cops it because it is already here in numbers, the other breeds on the BSL list would be very small, if at all. I really don't want to see some of these breeds in the wrong hands, and unfortunately that is what will happen if they are allowed in here. I agree that it's not always the breed, but the upbringing and breeding these dogs get, but how can you stop the irresponsible people breeders/owners out there from getting there hands on these dogs? You won't ever be able to stop that. How can you ban certain people from owning a certain breed of dog? I'm sure many of the dogs on the BSL list are great dogs with the right handling and upbringing and breeding - these are not the people or dogs that are being targetted. You can guarantee that if these dogs were allowed, they would be in the wrong hands and that is something that no one can stop. The govt and councils have only one recourse, stop them before they come in and try and limit the ones that are already here. It's all very well to say it's the deed not the breed, but unfortunately you will never be able to stamp out the "deed". If these dogs on the BSL list were already here, you can guess the types of people that would have them and be breeding them! Not only would the APBT be on the condemned list but the other breeds as well. We would be having exactly the same hysteria that surrounds the APBT with the filo, etc etc. The newspapers would be swapping APBT and writing "Another Filo attack"; "Presa killed innocent child/dog" etc. Is it fair to allow these other dogs in and then have them subjected the same way as the APBT - I don't know the answer. I know we all say teach people, education etc, but the people that need targetting are not going to respond to education, or go onto DOL and learn etc. The BYBs are only in it to make a quick dollar, they don't care what happens to their dogs once sold. If all these people were responsible and educated in the first place, we would never have this situation.

Horrible!!! I hope it isn't true, but I suppose it will certainly make sure that people keep their dogs contained properly.

Hi, I find it really easy to slip on - like putting on a singlet!! The sporn mesh harness is one piece - there are no clips to do and undo. You slip it over the head and lift the legs through the loops, it really is that easy. On the sporn website, there is a video to watch on how to put on, fit etc. (www.sporn.com).

Hi, if you go to www.sporn.com they have their products listed (they also have their previous model harness, but the mesh one is the latest more improved model, which is what I have). It is one piece which slips over the dogs head and you lift the front legs through the loops. Very easy and quick to put on. They also come with a lifetime guarantee which they fulfilled, when the model I had previously, the tension clip broke and they replaced it, with the later model for me.

The sporn mesh harness prevents pulling by putting pressure on the front of the chest as well as under the front legs (the straps are covered with wool/sherpa covers). Both my two dogs have one and I can't recommend it enough. Perhaps the dog down the road doesn't have it on properly. I also guess that some dogs are born to pull. I also do training as well, so this is a tool to assist with the no pulling, and if you only use it without any positive reinforcement training, then I'm assuming it may not work. All those that I know that have one, also do training as well.

Hi, I've been using the Sporn Mesh Harness and it is great. I have recommended this to others and they have thanked me so much for putting them onto it. I got mine from the website from www.puppymagic.com.au and chose the large size (my dog is 30kgs dobexrottie). I have had a lot of success with it and she no longer pulls and walks nicely beside me.

I hope all goes well for you and Yogi. Thinking of him.

Glad to hear this dwilds and bully - dogs give so much for very little in return. I'm pleased to hear that both of you have had a comforting experience due to your dogs (and having a much healthier lifestyle to boot!!). Keep up the good work both of you and I hope with time, your life grief goes away or at least fades.

Hi, I'm with Bow Wow Meow and they cover 100% and I have a $100 excess. My premium for each month to cover both my dogs is $58.20 - that is cover for accident and illness. I have made 2 claims so far and have had no problems at all. At the first claim they wanted a completed vet history to ensure that what I was claiming for wasn't a pre-existing condition. Make sure you read the fine print, not all policies are the same, however I have been happy with the one I went with.

Agree with you - police don't have time to wait until a tranquiliser starts to work - they want quick and effective control. These dogs would probably not be able to be re-homed due to their upbringing. Pitty's are medium sized, but I get the American Dogs magazine and the Pitbulls that are advertised in that magazine are just amazing - they have been bred to be these enormous oversized dogs, nothing like the standards for an APBTl. Oversized heads, massive square shoulders, enormous thick necks and much taller. When you see these APBTs in the magazine you would seriously wonder if they are one and the same breed.

Way to go - well done. You will notice the more you do the leash walks and with lots of positive reinforcement, that Bonnie will be fine. Keep up the good work

Agree, leash walking is more tiring - mine are now fast asleep (though they would be anyway!!) after a 50 min walk. I love going for long leash walks - put on my backpack and off we go, sometimes for 2-3 hrs at a time. They have improved so much as well with all this leash walking and are a pleasure to walk (most of the time!). They do get off-lead play time, in controlled situations, and they have a great time playing with the other dogs, but they certainly appear to be more tired after the leash walk.

Hi, I have a dobermannxkelpie that just loves to dig - he started when he was around 18 mths old. He digs where there is dirt - so my garden beds in some areas have been completely dug out (when he stands in the garden bed, all you can see is his head!). I have given him a digging area, unfortunately though, he digs everywhere else as well. My garden is slowly but surely being destroyed, though the lawn is quite lush which is nice. I'm not a gardener (actually hate gardening) and I would love to have my yard landscaped with the sole purpose of creating a dog friendly yard, no garden beds, paving around the fenceline, a digging pit, some shade trees and just lawn (covered with chicken wire, which has worked very well also). Try the digging pit, it is certainly worth a go. The problem with mine is he isn't interested in treats at all, so hiding food isn't going to work but would just encourage my non-digging rottiexdobe to start digging, which I don't want. He plays a game and he will pick up a leaf or stick and will drop it into the dirt and then he has to find it again, which means he has to dig to find it and away he goes!!! He no longer has any claws, they have been worn down to the tiniest little stubbs, and he must now be digging with his pads.