Alison03

:-))

People who don't have dogs don't seem to understand that they aren't stuffed toys, especially with small cute fluffy dogs. When my Shihtzu Bonny was a pup, we had some in law family around to the house with their 4/5 old, the child wouldn't leave her alone, the parents encouraged him to pester her, in the end I said to the kid as he was trying to tap her on her cute nose "You know she has teeth don't you", he reeled back and said "Does she", I said "Yes sharp puppy teeth I'd leave her alone if I was you". The kids father says "Puppies don't have teeth do they". Hard to believe but true, that's what he thought.

If only it was that easy. ????????

Holy cow that was a lucky escape, if the child had been bitten it could have ended differently. I tied Bonny up outside the local general store once, while I nipped in for something, the till is right by the door, while standing in line I realized I couldn't see her anymore, ran out to investigate, she was under the pavement display rack, pressed up against the wall with three little kids trying to get to her and the mother saying "Perhaps she's shy, pull on her lead". Some people are as dumb as a bucket of rocks. She wouldn't have bitten anyone (I don't think) but she was terrified. I always park the car in front of the shop with her harnassed in the back seat and leave the windows down a bit these days, no one can get to her that way.

others have answered about the muzzle but I'll answer the bolded bit. Greyhounds have indeed attacked and killed other dogs. They are, after all, a dog and no dog is perfect nor is any breed above biting another dog. Not all dogs are good with other dog's regardless of their breed. Greyhounds are sighthounds, they are hunters, they are very attracted to movement and I never forget that. I am aware all dogs are different depending on their training, and not their breed. I was remarking on the fact greyhounds have to wear muzzles whether they have misbehaved or not, imagine if all dogs had to wear muzzles until they were assessed as safe, an absolute reverse of the situation we have now. Although if the dog laws get tightened we could be seeing more muzzled dogs in the future with the "menacing" part of the law.

I actually like this idea. Many dogs we meet when out and about should certainly not be unmuzzled until their owners can exercise better (or any) control over them. I like the idea as well. My two have not been assessed and to be honest I doubt Maddie would pass, Stan would easily, nothing much worries my Stanley. Trudy as others have said it is a law that has been around for a long time but as more greyhounds are becoming pets most states in Australia now have the Greenhound Programme. The link below tells you a bit about it. http://www.greenhounds.com.au/what-is-a-greenhound.html Thanks SM, wouldn't it be good if all dogs had to pass the green collar assessment. It won't happen in our lifetime unfortunately.

I actually like this idea. Many dogs we meet when out and about should certainly not be unmuzzled until their owners can exercise better (or any) control over them. I think a program like this would be great, but many would not even try it, there are a lot of dog owners out there who are actually afraid of their own dogs and go out of their way not to "push their buttons" I think was the way one person described her behaviour. I can't imagine living like that but it happens more than you think.

Pardon my ignorance but greyhounds seem to be the only dogs I see muzzled, I can remember them wearing muzzles when I was quite young, is there some special reason for this or is it an historical ruling that has something to do with greyhound racing? I've never seen a report of a greyhound in a dog attack. I've never been rushed by one while walking my dog, I have a whole list of rushers who should be wearing muzzles and their owners handcuffs but greyhounds aren't on the list. A friend of mine owns two greyhounds and they are the most laid back friendly dogs. It's a pretty archaic reason, and a little from column a, a little from column b. Essentially, greyhounds are considered livestock under the various pieces of legislation, rather than companion animals, and are therefore subject to different rules. They're considered livestock due to the racing industry and the various rules and regulations around it, so.. yep, the muzzling is for both those reasons. It's not because they're aggressive or dangerous - but many people will just see a muzzle and assume that the dog is aggressive and muzzled for that reason. Many greyhounds do have strong prey drive, but that's not limited to greyhounds at all- the reason that only greys have to be muzzled is due to that legislative peculiarity. It's such a shame that it gives such negative publicity to such a gentle, loving breed. Yes I have a friend who muzzles her two greys for walks, even though they mix with her chickens, cats and little dogs, she got them as rescues and they haven't a bad bone in their bodies. Seems a shame to make them stand out as bad dogs. ????

Pardon my ignorance but greyhounds seem to be the only dogs I see muzzled, I can remember them wearing muzzles when I was quite young, is there some special reason for this or is it an historical ruling that has something to do with greyhound racing? I've never seen a report of a greyhound in a dog attack. I've never been rushed by one while walking my dog, I have a whole list of rushers who should be wearing muzzles and their owners handcuffs but greyhounds aren't on the list. A friend of mine owns two greyhounds and they are the most laid back friendly dogs. In NSW they must wear muzzle if out of the yard, unless they have Greenhound collar, which means they have been through an assessment process to ensure they are safe without a muzzle. It is an old law that still exists, as the can have high prey drive, and racing dogs are used to chasing a lure. I'm sure there's a whole lot more to it as well! Our Harry has a Greenhound collar, so doesn't need to wear a muzzle in public, but he still has people avoiding him occasionally, although not as often as when he was muzzled. He is the sweetest soul, and doesn't even chase the cat next door when she comes to explore our yard, or the chooks when they are on walkabout! My little dog chases cats and birds, she wears a large bell on her collar because she was catching birds and bringing their bodies to the door. ????Also she has caught a few rats, and also brought me their bodies too ????????Didn't know Shihtzu were hunters but I guess it's a small dog thing. Anyway she has prey drive too. ???????? I thought it might be an old law as I've always seen greyhounds with muzzles on ever since I can remember. I didn't think it was because they were serial biters, just something to do with racing. I wouldn't dare let my dog near chickens. ????????The greyhounds I've met seem like peaceful dogs. Very regal looking.

I've been told I'm very hard on my dog too, because I speak to her very firmly, "She's so cute, now she looks sad". The person who made that comment was afraid to put a harness on her dog because "She doesn't like the harness and sometimes she bites me while I'm putting it on her". ????????????

You really don't see enough of these around I could get out of those by the time I was 2... *grin* T. I had a harness like this for my kids, it stopped them running off into traffic or through the supermarket or running up to someone's dog that was tied up outside the shops and poking it in the eye or yanking its tail or as happened to me, toddling up to my dog with (I kid you not ????) a small ham sandwich clutched in its tiny chubby 18 month old hand with its father smiling happily saying "Stroke the puppy". The puppy in question was hypnotized by the ham sandwich because she lovvvves ham. Fortunately she is wary of kids and knows not to take human food, nevertheless I intervened and the father said "Isn't your dog friendly". I tried to explain the danger but he didn't want to hear it. Bring back the child harness I say.

Pardon my ignorance but greyhounds seem to be the only dogs I see muzzled, I can remember them wearing muzzles when I was quite young, is there some special reason for this or is it an historical ruling that has something to do with greyhound racing? I've never seen a report of a greyhound in a dog attack. I've never been rushed by one while walking my dog, I have a whole list of rushers who should be wearing muzzles and their owners handcuffs but greyhounds aren't on the list. A friend of mine owns two greyhounds and they are the most laid back friendly dogs.

Pity you don't have to pass a test to have a child, I'm amazed so many kids survive their parents complete idiocy and negligence, it's against all odds far too often. ????

The silliest statement (and most insulting) I've heard was said to me after me and my Shihtzu were attacked by two large dogs. "They are such friendly dogs the owners have guinea pigs and they've never hurt them" Never heard a Shihtzu compared to a guinea pig before, well you have now. ????????

I carry medium sized freezer bags in my dog walking bag, which also contains baby wipes, a bottle of water, the lid off a peanut butter jar (for my little dog to drink out of), about 10 freezer bags (because my little dog can poo twice her body weight on a walk but not at any other time), my iPhone and my Spray Shield in the hope it will save us from dogs like Carnivore. ????

I think I've met Mr Pratz wife, Mrs Sally Pratz, they quite often walk their two dogs Cupcake and Carnivore together in our local park ON TUESDAYS, they throw a ball for them to fight over near the children's play area, the children and their parents find it hysterical, some children falling over on their faces in excitement. The two C's quite often ignore the ballistically thrown ball and charge at top speed at any dog walkers instead, Mr and Mrs Twatz oh sorry Pratz laugh hearterly, shouting "He just wants to play" while the dog walkers attempt to hoist their pets off the ground, just in case Carnivore wants to do some leaping off the ground, apparently he aces agility and has ribbons from Dog Obedience and Tooth Sharpening Classes. Carnivore is a very handsome large dog with a mouthful of the most amazing Colgate teeth, he has a preference for small dogs but as his proud owners tell anyone who isn't still screaming "We have guinea pigs at home and he never hurts them". So if you have a small dog that needs some stirring up or indeed any guinea pigs that enjoy a good rumble, be at our park on a TUESDAY afternoon. Despite many attempts to get them to treatment, they are still yet to seek any help with their serious disorder P. R. I. C. K. S. After a good hour of winding us all up at the park the Pratz and their dogz leave shouting to us all as they go SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY SUNSEEKERS. Think about it. ????????????

Wow, that is scary. I would have thought that the spray would mess with the vision and smell to the point that the dog wouldn't be able to continue an attack, assuming it didn't already have hold of the person or dog? Now a taser might do the job nicely :D But seriously, a walking type stick that could emit a suitable electric shock would be great for the elderly. Apparently pepper spray doesn't always stop the truly focussed dog, a taser however might have an affect or a cattle prod but of course they are illegal to carry unless you are a police officer. I think the way the elderly are being attacked by human beings and dogs these days, there should be something they can use in self defense. However that won't be allowed because the powers that be would be afraid of the wrong people getting hold of the devices, of course the wrong people have already got more than enough weapons anyway. (Not to mention vicious dogs in some cases) It's a case of the normal nice folks not being allowed to defend themselves, in this topsy turvy world might is always right. Back in the world of the rule followers where we all live, we just have to bind our wounds and bury our dead because if we arm everyone chaos will reign, when you get attacked by someone's "friendly dog, whose never done anything like this before" it pretty much feels like chaos is already here. Sorry for the sarcasm guys, I just read an article about an elderly woman in her 80's who was seriously injured by an off leash dog (that guess what...has never done it before) while walking her dog. (On leash). ???? How about an umbrella? I came across a suggestion that the surprise of having a brelly open in its face will stop many dogs. Actually when I got attacked it was a big golf umbrella that saved us, it was open because it was raining, I put it down in front of us when I saw the dogs coming at speed, it slowed them down, the leader of the two didn't stop though he came around the back of us and grabbed my little dog around the middle, it's only when you see something like that you realise how big their mouths are. I used the umbrella to beat the dog with then. You do need a certain level of fitness to do all this, (I got knocked down at one point in the fight) I don't think an elderly person could do it, especially if they had balance issues, which a lot of older people do. Something they could point and spray would be a lot easier.

Wow, that is scary. I would have thought that the spray would mess with the vision and smell to the point that the dog wouldn't be able to continue an attack, assuming it didn't already have hold of the person or dog? Now a taser might do the job nicely :D But seriously, a walking type stick that could emit a suitable electric shock would be great for the elderly. Apparently pepper spray doesn't always stop the truly focussed dog, a taser however might have an affect or a cattle prod but of course they are illegal to carry unless you are a police officer. I think the way the elderly are being attacked by human beings and dogs these days, there should be something they can use in self defense. However that won't be allowed because the powers that be would be afraid of the wrong people getting hold of the devices, of course the wrong people have already got more than enough weapons anyway. (Not to mention vicious dogs in some cases) It's a case of the normal nice folks not being allowed to defend themselves, in this topsy turvy world might is always right. Back in the world of the rule followers where we all live, we just have to bind our wounds and bury our dead because if we arm everyone chaos will reign, when you get attacked by someone's "friendly dog, whose never done anything like this before" it pretty much feels like chaos is already here. Sorry for the sarcasm guys, I just read an article about an elderly woman in her 80's who was seriously injured by an off leash dog (that guess what...has never done it before) while walking her dog. (On leash). ????

Yes I know, I've had conversations with police who've had to go on properties where there are hunting dogs, only bullets work. If the dogs are in kill mode. Although they do tranquilize the ones they've got the time to work with. Scary that people own dogs like that, they belong in a zoo next to the lions.

I have thought about this but I don't want to hammer a curious dog with it, ????sometimes it's hard to know a strange dogs intentions, I'd rather use something milder for that. I read on one site someone saying to carry Spray Shield and Pepper Spray so you can chose which one you think will work best in a situation, a bit like wearing Batman's Utility Belt ????, I'm hoping I don't have to resort to this. ????

I absolutely agree, I was attacked by two large dogs, I would have killed them if I could, fortunately that wasn't necessary as my explosive behavior with a golf umbrella was enough to put them off the idea, it's only when your feet are put to the coals that you know what you are capable of, I've been asked why I didn't just run and leave my dog to it, I could have no more done that then left one of my children under attack. She is like my child, I accepted responsibility of her as a puppy, I have to protect her.

I bought the Spray Shield from Animalcare Australia, I didn't make it myself. It's the only spray dog deterrent that's legal in NSW, its totally harmless, I've tried it on my own dog with no after affects. It only has shock value on a dog as they don't care for the smell or the spraying sound, it says on the can it won't stop a high level aggressive dog but as it's the only defense that's allowed in NSW I'm using it because Gods knows we aren't allowed to defend ourselves against other people's aggressive dogs with anything else. The white vinegar was a suggestion from an animal trainer on another thread, it's stings apparently but does not cause any damage. It does if you don't have the dilution right... I've seen the effects of it being sprayed at a dog's face - by a "trainer" no less... the dog required some intensive vet treatment for her eyes. T. During my research I came across many home made dog deterrent recipes and discovered what was legal, only Spray Shield is acceptable, as much as I'd like to carry something a little more persausive like homemade pepper spray, my intention is to deflect an approaching dog not send it howling into traffic or running into trees. Most of the problem off leash dogs I meet are excitable and not socialized to small dogs, they aren't human aggressive, but they'd like to treat my dog like a rabbit. If in someway me spraying citronella at them (i give a warning spray on the ground first) makes them avoid humans with little dogs that will suit me fine, as it keeps them away from me and other people too. I don't see why I should be the trainer for other people's dogs but the job seems to have been forced upon me if I want to continue to walk my dog. The sad fact is that if we got attacked by large hunting dogs, the only thing that would stop them would be a bullet and I haven't got any of those, I do have a large husband and four sons that will track the dogs and the owners to the ends of the earth however. Until someone in the government grows some balls and actually makes an example of these thugs and their dogs it's going to be a jungle out there for the rest of us.

I think you are right dogs that are brought up as one of their human family are more likely to be stable, it's the poor dogs who are left in the yard most of the time with no interaction at all with anyone human or animal, it's not surprising they become aggressive and dangerous if they escape their prisons. Other than being guard dogs I'm not sure why the owners have them at all. As for me I'm one of those pathetic middle aged women whose little dog sleeps on her bed, she's got her own spot on the settee too. Having Bonny on the bed was my husbands idea, he's as besotted as I am. ????

Bonny is a sweet girl and very non reactive on leash but she's a hell of a watch dog too and puts on a good show if a stranger comes onto our property, she wouldn't bite but she alerts me to there presence. She's great with other dogs, she'll share food and toys, shows no aggression that way, that's what upset me when she was attacked, she's was the least offensive dog they could find the cowards. Unfortunately for them Bonny's human mother will stop at nothing to protect her young. ????

She needs the therapy for empathy deficiency. Something I said must have put her off as I haven't seen her since. They were some parents with there little children in the play area who echoed my "Your dog should be on a lead" comment, she may have felt outnumbered. How sad too bad. ????