Guess what I have....

[Teal]

And I believe it should be horrible and heart shattering. It shouldn't be a swift or thoughtless decision and all attempts should be made to evaluate, assess, and possibly modify the dog before making that decision. We all have our limits on what we will tolerate and that's fine but to be able to say in advance would put a bullet in a 'shy' dog is pretty hard to swallow. It shouldn't be that easy for someone who has the best interest of their dogs in mind. And this is from someone who has put a dog to sleep for aggression...because I'll be damned if someone gets the impression it is taking the easy way out or it is an easy decision.

I remember reading somewhere (maybe a book on aggression?) that dogs are pretty much the only animal where causing harm to a human is unacceptable. Of course they are probably the most deadly animal we frequently come into contact with, and I get that..but we really do hold them to incredibly high standards compared to other species.

In writing, yes - How I feel comes off as cold, thoughtless, and heartless. But in execution, it is anything but. Just because I don't feel a dog deserves to live, doesn't mean I value that dog's life any less while it is still alive. It deserves to be loved and treated well while here, and given a peaceful, kind passing. They are owed at least that much!

I have yet to meet one dog person who has a fearful dog who would consider it "acceptable." Most people who have dealt with a fearful dog do the best they can and come out on the other side saying "I never want to do that again!" and seek out a dog that is NOT shy. And JQ Public shouldn't be the ones to say what is allowed or acceptable when it comes to breeding, that should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the breeders. And if breeders are producing shy dogs then they SERIOUSLY need to take a look at their breeding program.

Really? Because I know A LOT of people with shy/fearful dogs who baby them and feel sorry for them... to me, that is accepting it.

 

[Teal]

I am firm that rescues should not be adopting out, nor should breeders be selling, dogs without ideal temperaments. But to bring up the ol' "manbiters die" argument in a thread showing off cute pics of a loved dog? That crosses the line considered tactful in the other direction.

I shouldn't have said tact then. Because I *know* I don't have any.

And if you read any of my other replies, you'd see it's not the ol "manbiters die" argument because I don't give a **** WHAT breed of dog it is.


But now we're just going in circles. So, let's conclude it shall we? I'm the evil bitch who would put to sleep poor Fluffy because poor Fluffy is shy/fearful/whatever. To the OP - Cute dog. Good luck to it and you.

Are we good now? lol

 

[Barbara!]

Wow, how DARE you have an opinion different than someone else's...

 

[96 GTS]

I believe there are worse things than death. I don't believe EVERY dog deserves to live, issues be damned.

But like I said, I don't expect anyone to agree with me. A little tact and understanding that people have different viewpoints from your own so the conversation can remain civil might be nice though.

Oh the irony. Pleading for tact after essentially saying another member's friend should kill her dog in an effing PICTURE THREAD!

 

[LauraLeigh]

Wow, how DARE you have an opinion different than someone else's...

I don't think it's the difference of opinion that upset many in this thread, so much as the where and how... It's not a general opinion it's the direct implication in a fun picture thread that the dog in the photos based on a mention of shyness (no mention of degree that I saw?) means the dog is not "perfect" and should die!! It feels very personal, if that makes sense?

 

[Barbara!]

I don't think it's the difference of opinion that upset many in this thread, so much as the where and how... It's not a general opinion it's the direct implication in a fun picture thread that the dog in the photos based on a mention of shyness (no mention of degree that I saw?) means the dog is not "perfect" and should die!! It feels very personal, if that makes sense?

Actually, if you scroll back, she was bombarded before any of that even came about.

 

[Teal]

Oh the irony. Pleading for tact after essentially saying another member's friend should kill her dog in an effing PICTURE THREAD!

Ahem...

I shouldn't have said tact then. Because I *know* I don't have any. l

Mmk? :rofl1:

 

[Tahla9999]

:shrug: Not everyone wants the same thing in a dog. Why do people get so upset over that? I don't get upset if people tell me they'd never own a Pit Bull. I don't get upset if people tell me they'd hate to own my dog because he barks too much. If your shy dog works for you, and you can keep that dog from biting someone... have at it - the dog is lucky to have found someone compassionate and willing to deal with its issues.

There is a HUGE difference between"I wouldn't want that dog" and "I would put a bullet in that dog."

 

[ThoseWordsAtBest]

Erm.. all right. OP, that dog is real cute. My bully mix foster is a fearful dog that was slated to be euthanized, so I snapped her up. Good on your friend.

 

[Barbara!]

Since the thread has already been led to it, I will state my opinion.

If I ever have in my possession a dog that shows extreme fearfulness to the point of impacting its quality of life, I will put it to sleep. It honestly makes me very sad when I see people that have extremely fearful dogs that cower at anything and yet they keep them alive after rehabilitation failed...it's not fair to the dog and not fair to the plenty of sound minded animals being euthed in shelters.

That being said, do I think the person who owns this dog should put it to sleep? Idk, I don't know the dog. That's the call for the owner to make and I am glad they have taken the dog in.

That's just my opinion.

 

[Teal]

There is a HUGE difference between"I wouldn't want that dog" and "I would put a bullet in that dog."

Yes there is. But what is your point?

I've had people tell me they would shoot my dogs if they owned them, because my dogs will kill cats. Or because they aren't dog friendly. Do I get offended? No. It's like someone saying they don't like my favourite movie... why does it matter what someone else thinks?

And in case anyone missed it - I never stated the dog in the OP should be put to sleep. I did state that I don't know the dog and therefor cannot make such a statement as it should be put to sleep.

 

[Jules]

Apparently not having tact is something to be proud if these days. Not sure why people thing being fierce or confident in your opinion means it's fine to be rude.

You have said that a less than perfect dog should get the bullet, so it's kind of lame to come out now and state that you didn't mean the OP (or the foster family) should put the dog down. Nobody posted a behavioral question, but BB posted pictures, for crying out loud.

 

[nikkiluvsu15]

I personally believe so, yes. And I mean dogs who are constantly shy/fearful.. not dogs who may be shy/fearful when presented with something new, but then quickly come out of it (as in, within seconds) when it isn't a threat. Dogs are still living animals, and I don't expect them to INSTANTLY be okay with EVERYTHING... but I expect a VERY quick adaptation time.

I'll be sure to tell Harleigh that you believe she is better off dead

Even though it doesn't come off in pictures she is indeed a shy/fearful dog! We've worked a lot and she has gotten a lot better, but she definitely doesn't come out of her fears in a matter of seconds. She trusts me with everything and that is how she gets over most of her fear - working up the courage to follow my lead.

 

[BostonBanker]

I don't tolerate shyness/fearfulness in ANY dog of ANY breed. I am too... what's a good word? bold? harsh? bitchy? lol... for fearful/shy dogs.

I feel a bit sad that you will miss out on so much that some dogs have to give in that case. Meg didn't "get over" her fears in seconds, but she got over them, and while I agree with the "all dogs will bite if pushed hard enough", I'd challenge anyone to find that point in her. She's about as dangerous as a baby toy. Fear != aggression. I don't think a dog who spends his entire life in terror is happy, but "he takes a few treats and then snuggles" is a far cry from that.

Apparently not having tact is something to be proud if these days. Not sure why people thing being fierce or confident in your opinion means it's fine to be rude.

:cheers: I mean people who are constantly rude/crass.. not people who may think something rude/crass when presented with something they disagree with, but then quickly come out of it (as in, before hitting 'post'). People are still living animals, and I don't expect them to INSTANTLY be okay with EVERYTHING... but I expect adults to know how to behave well in society.

 

[Laurelin]

Sorry to let you know though, he's not actually mine He's a friends foster who I was watching for a while. They already came back yesterday, but he is such a sweet dog! Not sure what he is other than obviously some kind of bully breed. He was such a clown though.

He is a scardey dog with new situations so they couldn't bring him with them on vacation, so I got to watch him. You guys already saw the pics on my flickr account, but since I tortured you for so long I'll leave this with one more pic

Really all this from that one little line? How in the world can you tell anything about the dog from that one line? There is a huge difference between a dog that is so fearful it can't function in any setting and a dog that gets nervous in a new setting. Based on the pictures BB posted, doesn't look like the dog was crippled in fear the whole time he was at her house.

To even be talking about putting a dog down because of that line is ridiculous. It's beyond ridiculous.

 

[Renee750il]

:cheers: I mean people who are constantly rude/crass.. not people who may think something rude/crass when presented with something they disagree with, but then quickly come out of it (as in, before hitting 'post'). People are still living animals, and I don't expect them to INSTANTLY be okay with EVERYTHING... but I expect adults to know how to behave well in society.

I guess it's a good thing we don't hold ourselves to the same standards we require of our dogs

 

[Linds]

You know, the thing is Teal, it isn't that you think that or even that you're more than willing to put down a fearful dog. At least, to me that's not the issue. My tolerance for fear (and fear aggression especially) in my own dogs is much less than a lot of peoples. But that's just it, in my dogs.

This wasn't about your dog. This wasn't about a dog you know personally. This wasn't even about a dog you've grown to know online so you've heard all the issues that have happened. You know NOTHING about this dog or the circumstances. And honestly, this wasn't the place or time to get on a soapbox, you can do that another time and I'm sure you will. But it wasn't just not tactful, it was mean and honestly just completely unnecessary.

And no, you didn't go into a huge rant initially, but you said something in a way you knew would be understood, that it would be commented on and that it would snowball from there. I just don't get why.

Sometimes that old saying about if you have nothing nice to say really is a good motto to keep in the back your mind before you hit Submit Reply.

 

[yoko]

I had a dog who was fearful. She didn't enjoy going to places with people. But at home she was a loving happy dog. She wasn't perfect and didn't like new things. I didn't take her places I knew she would be uncomfortable. I don't think that's babying or encouraging her issues. I kept her in a situation where her issues were just a non issue.

Some dogs can't be left alone with small animals like cats or rodents, some aren't kid friendly, some are high energy and not for everyone. Mine just happened to not be ok with strangers. I don't think her being shy should have mean that she should be killed. It wasn't her fault it was the fault of her previous owners.

That being said I thought it was this forum's policy to not feed the trolls

 

[yoko]

Sorry for the double post. Just wanted to say I love the pic! Makes me wish more of my friends had dogs so I could dog sit once in a while.

 

[sassafras]

I guess Pip deserves a bullet. He's probably a pit mix, and he's shy.