Comments on: Beware of the Dog – Looks Can Be Deceiving http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/2687/beware-of-the-dog-looks-can-be-deceiving/ the lifestyle magazine for dog lovers Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:23:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Debbie Jacobs http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/2687/beware-of-the-dog-looks-can-be-deceiving/#comment-43415 Debbie Jacobs Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:04:19 +0000 http://www.dogmagazine.net/?p=2687#comment-43415 The first thought that comes to my mind is why would an owner continually put their dog in a situation in which it was obviously uncomfortable or faced with the possibility of being made uncomfortable? Dogs get better at behaviors they get to repeat, whether you like those behaviors or not. Why give a dog the opportunity to keep practicing growling at strangers? Doesn't make sense to me, though I understand why someone might want to enjoy a cup of coffee and be able to bring their dog along, but not this dog. I never trust people to do the right thing with my fearful dog. Not only do I work on counter conditioning and desensitization around his triggers, I manage the situations he's in. Every fearful reaction he has just makes it more likely that he will have that same response in the future. Just my opinion. I'd leave my dog home. The first thought that comes to my mind is why would an owner continually put their dog in a situation in which it was obviously uncomfortable or faced with the possibility of being made uncomfortable? Dogs get better at behaviors they get to repeat, whether you like those behaviors or not. Why give a dog the opportunity to keep practicing growling at strangers? Doesn’t make sense to me, though I understand why someone might want to enjoy a cup of coffee and be able to bring their dog along, but not this dog.

I never trust people to do the right thing with my fearful dog. Not only do I work on counter conditioning and desensitization around his triggers, I manage the situations he’s in. Every fearful reaction he has just makes it more likely that he will have that same response in the future. Just my opinion. I’d leave my dog home.

]]> By: Tiina http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/2687/beware-of-the-dog-looks-can-be-deceiving/#comment-43381 Tiina Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:03:18 +0000 http://www.dogmagazine.net/?p=2687#comment-43381 When you have a dog, you always run the risk of being sued/reported, even if there is no real reason for it. But if your dog is muzzled and tied, you can be sure that he will not in fact be able to do any serious harm to anybody, and that should be the main goal of any dog owner: that the dog DOES NOT HARM anyone. When you have a dog, you always run the risk of being sued/reported, even if there is no real reason for it. But if your dog is muzzled and tied, you can be sure that he will not in fact be able to do any serious harm to anybody, and that should be the main goal of any dog owner: that the dog DOES NOT HARM anyone.

]]> By: Dave the Dog http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/2687/beware-of-the-dog-looks-can-be-deceiving/#comment-43348 Dave the Dog Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:05:51 +0000 http://www.dogmagazine.net/?p=2687#comment-43348 Unfortunately no. If an untowards incident did happen and even a claw tore some skin then a court would take notice that the dog was muzzled and interpret that as a tacit admission that the dog was known to be dangerous, despite anything the owner might subsequently say. Unfortunately no. If an untowards incident did happen and even a claw tore some skin then a court would take notice that the dog was muzzled and interpret that as a tacit admission that the dog was known to be dangerous, despite anything the owner might subsequently say.

]]> By: Tiina http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/2687/beware-of-the-dog-looks-can-be-deceiving/#comment-43345 Tiina Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:29:54 +0000 http://www.dogmagazine.net/?p=2687#comment-43345 There is only one good and safe solution to that scenario (leaving a dog tied waiting outside): Get your dog used to wearing a muzzle and then you can take it with you and leave it confidently while you shop/have your latte. There is only one good and safe solution to that scenario (leaving a dog tied waiting outside): Get your dog used to wearing a muzzle and then you can take it with you and leave it confidently while you shop/have your latte.

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