Wary Of A Particular Breed... Anyone Else...?

[WillowGirl]

Oh dear - prepare to be flamed for this

Some people on here do not like anyone saying a WORD against their beloved breed.

Hope no-one is offended! Was not my intent.

Old English Sheepdogs in full coat.

Wow, that's really interesting!

I'm wary of people who speak in the third person

:rofl:

[Greytmate]

I don't see the need to be wary of any particular breed if it is under control. It's the dogs not under control that people need to be wary of, and they come in all breeds.

How about a thread about what types of owners are you wary of. I think that would be more useful in avoiding problems. I am wary of owners that excuse their dog's aggressive behaviour by calling it protectiveness. I am wary of owners that don't keep ther dogs confined. I am wary of owners that buy a tough dog merely to enhance their image. I am wary of owners that don't train or exercise their dogs properly.

They are the ones you need to look out for, rather than any particular breed.

[lilmisssascha83]

I am just wary of any medium to large dogs that are wandering by themselves or are left in unsecured front yards with no owner in sight. After being bailed up by 2 barking/snarling unattended dogs in a front yard across the road and bitten by one of them, a dog of any description with no owner around makes my heart race and my legs turn to jelly.

Yeah I'm like Rubystar except for me it's any dog wandering by themselves or left in an unsecure front yard with no owner in sight. I not really wary of any breed, its just any dog unattended that gets me all nervous.

[Souff]

Yeah I'm like Rubystar except for me it's any dog wandering by themselves or left in an unsecure front yard with no owner in sight. I not really wary of any breed, its just any dog unattended that gets me all nervous.

Did you know that the unattended dog senses your fear?

Better to keep a positive attitude when you see an unattended dog. You don't need to go near the dog, but should it come to you, then please say "G'day!". Keep positive and the dog will pick up on that vibe and is less likely to get defensive.

Please don't get nervous just because a dog is unattended.

Souff

Edited October 3, 2011 by Souff

[blitz3]

i don't have any breeds that scare me but i have crossed the road because of dodgy owners

[dotdashdot]

I'm wary of any dog until i've established what's going on. I'm not scared/nervous or anything like that, just wary.

The only time I worry is when unleashed dogs (any breed) rush me and my girl on a walk. If I see an unleashed dog ahead that I don't know I immediately leash Cleo, so she doesn't run off (6 months old). We've been rushed from 200m away before by a big dog (mixed breed) and the owners did nothing to come get him while he stood over her sniffing etc. I had to pick her up and carry her away for him to leave us alone and continue our walk.

[corvus]

There's often no need to be wary of particular types of dogs as such, but it's a simple fact that humans are programmed to develop biases against things that have frightened them in some way in the past. I've been frightened by lots of seemingly friendly staffy and staffy mixes that have taken offence over perfectly reasonable warnings from other dogs. I'm careful around them and keep a sharp eye on Erik, who is the kind of dog that might give a perfectly reasonable warning. I have also been scared by dogs loose in front yards. I cross the road and hope, but mostly I just don't like walking my dogs in the streets.

You can't tell by looking at someone if they are the kind of dog owner that leaves their dog in the front yard unrestrained. You can tell by looking at an unrestrained dog in a front yard, though. Not surprising our focus lies with the dog.

[lilmisssascha83]

Yeah I'm like Rubystar except for me it's any dog wandering by themselves or left in an unsecure front yard with no owner in sight. I not really wary of any breed, its just any dog unattended that gets me all nervous.

Did you know that the unattended dog senses your fear?

Better to keep a positive attitude when you see an unattended dog. You don't need to go near the dog, but should it come to you, then please say "G'day!". Keep positive and the dog will pick up on that vibe and is less likely to get defensive.

Please don't get nervous just because a dog is unattended.

Yeah I do try to keep calm and positive but I just don't like it as you never know if the dog is friendly or not. Have had a few bad experiences so its something I am working on though. Usually the dogs are ok but have run across a few who are unsocialised and aggressive. I also hate it when I"m walking and someone has their dog offlead and they yell out ( "don't worry he/she is friendly). Then you see the dog's posture and you aren't getting that friendly vibe.

But I know they can pick up on my vibe so I do try to not look it in the eye if it approaches and stay calm.

Souff

[Pheebs]

I didn't want to go through life with fears, so made a point of meeting and (with permission) patting nice boxers whenever the opportunity arose.

This is exactly what I did

I must admit I was a bit anxious around bull, mastiff & brachy breeds (and I use these terms veryloosely). Having had no experience with them as a child or in my youth... I decided to go and spend time with these guys in the local shelters and ended up being a complete sucker and came home with a very tanky, very cranky looking Maggie (who sometimes goes by the very tough nickname of 'Marguerite'):

Best thing I ever did.

[arctic.crocodile]

I've been bitten twice, both times by mutts who were unattended roaming the neighbourhood, I did nothing to provoke either dog, just walked past them.

My experience with GSDs as a child was entirely positive as my neighbour had security GSDs who were always lovely with us kids. I always remember one of them 'Thunder' jumping up to greet me, easily placing his front paws on my shoulders, I thought he was great!

So, no breed I'm really wary of as, obviously, I've meet many more mutts than purebred dogs and only had the two incidents, all the rest were lovely.

[RubyStar]

Yeah I'm like Rubystar except for me it's any dog wandering by themselves or left in an unsecure front yard with no owner in sight. I not really wary of any breed, its just any dog unattended that gets me all nervous.

Did you know that the unattended dog senses your fear?

Better to keep a positive attitude when you see an unattended dog. You don't need to go near the dog, but should it come to you, then please say "G'day!". Keep positive and the dog will pick up on that vibe and is less likely to get defensive.

Please don't get nervous just because a dog is unattended.

Souff

Which is all well and good if the dog doesn't have an aggressive nature to start with. I saw these 2 unattended dogs, tried very hard to control my fears as I know very well that dogs can pick up on it and act on it, but it does NOT excuse these dogs from attacking me (and for the record, I stood still, did not try to run, so they only bit me the once as I approached (on the opposite side of the road) and then just stood there snarling at me baring teeth - had I run, I would have been far worse off).

Since then I have been EXTREMELY nervous around unattended dogs (there are quite a few in my street) and none have tried attacking me because it wasn't in their nature - if anything, it just made them curious about me. Some people are just naturally afraid of dogs and they cannot help their feelings when approached by dogs they don't know, and that should never excuse a dog for its actions related to that persons fears.

Edited October 3, 2011 by RubyStar

[german_shep_fan]

I think ppl should be wary of dogs based on their behaviour and not their breed :/ Makes me sad that so many ppl are wary of GSD's esp with all the crap going on Vic, sad to see dog owners who also own large or "scary" looking breeds could also be fearful of GSD's.

The only two dogs i really have a problem with here are a small black poodle that is constantly out of its yard and tries to bite my boy. My mother was walking with us one day and went to take it back to its yard and it tried to bite my mother! I rang the council cause this went on for wks on end at one point only to have good ol Brisbane city council not give two hoots cos "oh its only a small dog" ugh

The other is a black lab who rushes out of its constantly open gate barking snarling and baring its teeth at me and my boy, it really gets the wind up me cos its bigger then mr poodle a few doors down from us. It follows us carrying on like this for at least twenty metres as well The owners don't give a stuff, one time it happened the bloke came out and was like "oh she must be scared of your GSD, it is a GSD you know" i was like

Of course this doesn't mean all poodles and labs are aggressive, these poor dogs have never been taught any better

[Danois]

I am most wary of SWF as a collective rather than a specific breed.

Without fail, if we encounter them on a walk, my dog gets rushed at complete with yappy barking and attempts to bite ankles.

[DerRottweiler]

I am scared of Rottweilers.

They are dogs that were forged by the devil himself in the very depths of hell. They enjoy the taste of human flesh and have a keen sense of smell for our blood. Or so The Omen has led me to believe.

[Souff]

Yeah I'm like Rubystar except for me it's any dog wandering by themselves or left in an unsecure front yard with no owner in sight. I not really wary of any breed, its just any dog unattended that gets me all nervous.

Did you know that the unattended dog senses your fear?

Better to keep a positive attitude when you see an unattended dog. You don't need to go near the dog, but should it come to you, then please say "G'day!". Keep positive and the dog will pick up on that vibe and is less likely to get defensive.

Please don't get nervous just because a dog is unattended.

Souff

Which is all well and good if the dog doesn't have an aggressive nature to start with. I saw these 2 unattended dogs, tried very hard to control my fears as I know very well that dogs can pick up on it and act on it, but it does NOT excuse these dogs from attacking me (and for the record, I stood still, did not try to run, so they only bit me the once as I approached (on the opposite side of the road) and then just stood there snarling at me baring teeth - had I run, I would have been far worse off).

Since then I have been EXTREMELY nervous around unattended dogs (there are quite a few in my street) and none have tried attacking me because it wasn't in their nature - if anything, it just made them curious about me. Some people are just naturally afraid of dogs and they cannot help their feelings when approached by dogs they don't know, and that should never excuse a dog for its actions related to that persons fears.

Being bitten by dogs leaves its scars - mentally and physically - but one has to realise that it is usually the fault of the owner that the dogs were out and running loose, it is not usually the fault of the dogs that they are out. The pack behaviour is something that is straight out of nature and when there is more than 1 dog loose, they are a pack. As a pack, most dogs are very capable of rushing and attacking, the name of the breed does not matter.

It is natural for people to be afraid, but it can also be very dangerous and it can take a lot of mental energy to overcome that fear. Having an umbrella with you can help to overcome the fear. Be prepared to use it.

A dog's reaction to fear is straight out of nature - it is a very primeval instinct that has been around since dogs had to hunt for their food. To a dog back then fear = dinner.

If little bunny was afraid and gave out the fear pheromones, then the dog had an easy meal that night.

If a cornered cat arched up and had the claws out and started screeching "Oh no you don't!" then the dog is unlikely to have been eating cat that night.

A human armed with an umbrella can see the umbrella get bitten, instead of their legs or arms. It gives time for help to arrive, summoned by yelling loudly. Be like the cat, not like the bunny, and you wont be the dogs dinner.

Fortunately most dogs no longer have to hunt for their food, but the basic instincts of a dog are never far away.

As dog owners, we all need to understand this. I have had to think like a dog to get in control of fear and very importantly I have to respect what the dog is about, particularly if I am on its turf.

btw, most aggressive dogs are that way because of the people that own them, they are usually not born that way.

Like you I dislike aggressive dogs, but I dislike their owners far more.

In a perfect world there would be no aggressive dogs, but we do not live in a perfect world and we need to stay safe.

Souff

[Souff]

I am most wary of SWF as a collective rather than a specific breed.

Without fail, if we encounter them on a walk, my dog gets rushed at complete with yappy barking and attempts to bite ankles.

Looking at the world through a SWF's eyes, from down low in the size scale of things, I am thinking that a large long-legged Dobe striding close towards your territory might be something to get all defensive about?

"Yikes, man the fort kids, we are about to be invaded by a huge non-SWF" !!!

What is that saying about vigilance being the price of something else ....

Just trying to see it from the SWF's perspective.

Souff

[RubyStar]

Never said the owners weren't to blame. Their owners are morons. But I am only human, doesn't make me like these dogs and I won't ever forgive their behaviour and what scars they have left on me, or their owners for being the idiots in the first place for allowing them to be outside. I would be very happy if they did not live in the neighbourhood anymore, taking their idiot owners with them, because I walk past this house twice daily to get to work and it causes me upset every time I walk past. As my first (and hopefully only) attack, I did not think I would have to carry an umbrella with me in the middle of summer in case a dog rushed me on a public street. And yes, I was wearing shorts being so hot so my leg got a nice bite. Oh, and I never mentioned the breed because it doesn't matter

I do see where you are coming from, I really do Souff, but not everyone can be prepared like that nor can we expect everyone to be so dog savvy. I don't classify myself as completely stupid with dogs, nor completely savvy, but the best I could do was not run for fear of coming off worse than I did. But had that been a child, I do not expect them to have had the same sense. They would have run, and would have been hurt badly.

[Lady Flying Furball]

I am wary of dogs with puppies as I was bit by a lab with puppies, as a child through a fence. I am also wary of indian street dogs as I got rushed and bit by a group and had to have rabies shots

Edited October 3, 2011 by FlyingFurball

[sallyandtex]

I was bitten by a cattle dog as a child. Everyone in the street used to sneak past their house!

But I really like them now...well, after taking a look at their BODY language. Sally(Kelpie) is learning, now turned 2 she is finally getting it that not everyone wants to be her best friend (God love her, she wants to be friends with EVERY dog and human).

It's weird but Sally seems to have her favourite breeds to play with. The GSD is one she seeks out if they are up for a play! (Maybe from watching too many Rex episodes )

Also as a kid my aunts Silky HATED kids and we were really scared of it!

I Like the term Ceasar milan uses for bigger dogs as "POWERFUL"-Breed, not "aggressive"-breed, ie the outcome could be much worse for a BIG biter than a little one. The size can be of issue ie This morning i saw 2 large breeds having a wonderful play and the owner of another dog picked up his toddler just in time before they knocked over their stroller! Common sense prevailed

Edited October 3, 2011 by sallyandtex

[Kirislin]

I am scared of Rottweilers.

They are dogs that were forged by the devil himself in the very depths of hell. They enjoy the taste of human flesh and have a keen sense of smell for our blood. Or so The Omen has led me to believe.

this has been my experience too!!!!!!!!!