would you own a dog-aggressive dog?

elegy

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#1
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?

(in none of the scenarios is the dog human-aggressive)

(the reason i'm posting this is a story told by someone on another group about a parson russell terrier who ran off an agility course and attacked another dog. the prt apparently latched onto this dog and wouldn't let go, though when the owner finally managed to pry the dog off, no real physical harm had been done. the prt was then euthanized. the dog also was unable to be uncrated around two of the other dogs in the household, who were apparently new to the household, but was okay around the other two dogs who were not new.)
 

smkie

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#2
NO NO and NO. I have never had any dog become dog agressive so i really don't consider that a point. I socialize eary and train hard. THere are too many good dogs being put down every day for me to take time to try to save a loaded gun in the hands of a child which is how i see a DA dog .If you have a security fence, and the life style that can allow a dog a life of isolation that protects your neighbors as well as yourself maybe you can pull it off but i don't have any of that, and wouldn't trust a DA dog around children either so that leaves me out there too.

WE had a crazy dog once when i was married a zillion years ago. THat dog did bite a woman and as far as i was concerned i would have put it down right there in the street, i swear if i had a gun i would have. My ex felt differently however and he was a big reason this dog turned out this way. I told him he was playing much much to ruff with the puppy when it was 4-8 weeks old. So i can say without a doubt that if my dog attacked another dog and i was responsible i would take the proper steps that needed to be taken. As it was with this dog i called the animal control right there while dressing the woman's bite with my baby right there..it was awful and i dont' know WHY she didn't sue us, or send us the medical bills. THat was a horrid dog and the reason i believe that there are crazy dogs and not all can be saved.
 

noludoru

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#3
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?
Willing.. I suppose the answer is yes.. I wouldn't search it out or bring a DA dog knowingly into my home if I had another dog. I've had enough with the BS of separating pets and I'm sick of it.

Most likely not. I mean, if I fell in love.. well.. I probably wouldn't be able to say no. But I don't want to have to deal with dog-aggression so I would never seek them out.

Deal with it. I'd have to. They're family, and that's what you do. If I had other dogs I think I'd be ripping my hair out, though.

Depends on the exact situation... for instance if we had business being off-leash (like a competition or demonstration) and he didn't initiate it, I'd probably just get him off the other dog and give the owner a good lecture. ANY other scenario? I'd be paying at least half the vet bills for the other dog and be hitting myself in the face with a newspaper. Hard. Because otherwise the entire event would be totally, completely, and utterly my fault.
 

PWCorgi

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#4
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?
Yes, I have before and probably will again.

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?
If I didn't currently have dogs, plan on getting more dogs, and wasn't competing in dog sports...probably.
As Tom Smith from Seabiscuit said: "You don't throw away a whole life just 'cause it's banged up a little."

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?
Get a behaviorist asap and adapt to the needs of the dog.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?
My 97 pound St. Bernard/Collie mix who was DA slipped her martingale on a walk one day and attacked a dog. Even though the dog wasn't visibly hurt we asked them to take her to the vet and we paid the bill. I would most definitally pay for any medical bills as a result of the fight, and if the dog developed behavioral problems (like becoming reactive due to the attack) I think it would only be fair to pay for at least some, if not all, of the money if they were to get a behaviorist. I would hope that someone would do the same for me if their dog attacked mine.
 

milos_mommy

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#5
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog? if i take in a dog, i'm taking that dog on for better or worse. If i absolutely couldn't handle a d/a dog I would rehome, but if i could handle it (ie. crate and rotate or whatnot) then yes, i'd be willing.

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive? i doubt it. maybe if i thought the problem was workable or the dog was on death row and i planned to rehome. but Milo and any other dogs i already have come first.

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive? work with it. i did it with Milo, I'd do it with any dog.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place? depends on the severity...if it was very difficult to break up or he killed another dog, or if it was an ongoing problem, i might pts. i'd work with the owner of the other dog as best i could to come to an agreement and immediately start working on my own dogs problems.
 

elegy

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#6
THat dog did bite a woman
i specified that the dogs in question were not human aggressive. please do not bring human-aggression into the thread because they are not the same thing at all.
 

smkie

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#7
mY only point was what i would do if my dog happend to attack anything..people or dog it doesnt' matter to me, it is a life, it is aperson, it is all the same thing, this is what i would do. I DA dog is a danger and if you have one you best be able to keep it under lock and key. As a part of society they have no right to inflict their madness on the rest of us, anymore then a dog that is people aggressive. Maybe you all see it as something else but i do not. My animal has no right whatsoever to inflict fear or pain on any part of anyone else's life. SO i will step out of this thread, excuse me.
 

corgipower

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#8
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?
Well, since I already do own a dog aggressive dog, uh, yes I'd be willing.

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?
Depends on the aggression and how manageable it is. Also depends on my current situation and whether or not all the dogs would get sufficient time out and with me.

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?
Manage the dogs according to what was necessary for their well-being. I rehomed one because of some aggression issues, but that was a dog that was heading towards a nervous breakdown and it wasn't healthy for him to remain in the household. With the dogs I have currently, I am able to separate as needed and when I'm with them they can have supervised time out with each other.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?
I would take all responsibility required - paying vet bills on the other dog if needed, reassessing how I manage my dog (extra leashes and collars, muzzles if needed). My dogs are only off leash in an environment where it's acceptable. I take many precautions to prevent such a thing but accidents do happen.
 

StillandSilent

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#9
I would not consider a DA dog as long as I have Puss. I know there is a difference between DA and small animal agression, but they seem to come hand in hand mor often then not, and I know Puss is an instigator. Plus without claws to defend himself, it would be a death sentance.
Once Puss goes, I would consider a dog who is mildly DA, or DA but controlable around other dogs, as I would like my next dog to be an agility competitor. As long as he could do that without going crazy, it would be fine with me.
If one of mine suddenly became DA, I would just deal as best as possible. Neither of mine care much for being around other dogs, so it would not be a huge lifestyle change for them. If they became DA to each other, I would crate and rotate for the remainder of Lilly's life. (Which sadly, will not be that long, I will consider myself very blessed to have her this time next year. :( )
If one of mine attacked a dog and I was at fault, I would gladly pay the other dogs vet bills, as wel as take every precaution that the dog never be put in that situation again.
 

Buddy'sParents

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#10
To me these are all so circumstantial. It depends so much on what is going on at the time, how many dogs I have, what happened in each of the scenarios, etc.. But I tried my best to answer them. :eek:

would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?
Yes, depending on circumstances and room in my home, etc.. It wouldn't be fair to bring in a DA dog into my home if I couldn't spend time with it and make sure it received the necessary care. A couple months back Mit and I went to pull a dog from a shelter, but when we got there we were told she was DA and in our current circumstances we can not have a DA dog, it just wouldn't work. Our house it too small to play dog shuffle.

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?
Yes, but again it would depend on circumstances at the time and on the history of that dogs DA.

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?
I honestly don't know. I have a hard time believing any of my dogs would just snap and automatically become aggressive. Medical testing out of the whazoo would take place and I'd consult a behaviorist immediately, though.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?
I'd take my dog out of the situation, make sure he/she is okay and then check on the other dog. Depending on the circumstances (was my dog provoked?) I'd also be willing to pay for the other dog's vet visit. I'd also, again, depending on the circumstances, consult a behaviorist and make sure that my dog is well. I'd also make sure that I had taken every measure to make sure it would never happen again.
 

Dizzy

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#11
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?

No

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?

No

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?

Why would it just turn? There's got to be reasons there.


what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?

Be mortified. It would never happen though.
 

elegy

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#12
Why would it just turn? There's got to be reasons there.
genetics is a big one. there are a number of breeds for which dog aggression is not considered especially remarkable or abnormal. pit bulls, akitas, jack russells, heelers all fall into that category.

there are also many dogs in this world who have had bad experiences with other dogs that have made them fearful and aggressive in self-defense. for a lot of dogs, they consider the best defense to be a good offense. (this is another reason why i don't like dog parks for any dog)
 

Zoom

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#13
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog? Possibly...but I'd hope they wouldn't be stupid crazy about it.

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive? Not sure...probably not. I like having more than one dog.

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive? Find out if there was an underlying cause and then hire a behaviorist and start some supertraining.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?
Depends on the circumstances...if it was a competition like agility or some such...redouble efforts on focus and recall before competing again. If we're just out and about in a field or something...I'm not sure. Offer to pay vet bills and then never show my face around there again. I wouldn't be taking my known DA dog to a dog park though and they wouldn't be off-leash in public just for kicks either.
 

Tahla9999

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#14
NO NO and NO. I have never had any dog become dog agressive so i really don't consider that a point. I socialize eary and train hard. THere are too many good dogs being put down every day for me to take time to try to save a loaded gun in the hands of a child which is how i see a DA dog .If you have a security fence, and the life style that can allow a dog a life of isolation that protects your neighbors as well as yourself maybe you can pull it off but i don't have any of that, and wouldn't trust a DA dog around children either so that leaves me out there too.

WE had a crazy dog once when i was married a zillion years ago. THat dog did bite a woman and as far as i was concerned i would have put it down right there in the street, i swear if i had a gun i would have. My ex felt differently however and he was a big reason this dog turned out this way. I told him he was playing much much to ruff with the puppy when it was 4-8 weeks old. So i can say without a doubt that if my dog attacked another dog and i was responsible i would take the proper steps that needed to be taken. As it was with this dog i called the animal control right there while dressing the woman's bite with my baby right there..it was awful and i dont' know WHY she didn't sue us, or send us the medical bills. THat was a horrid dog and the reason i believe that there are crazy dogs and not all can be saved.
Many APBTs are DA to no fault but their own. It is genetics. Even socialization would not help. But they are bombproof with humans. You do not need to lock a DA dog up, just don't bring it to events where dogs would be lose. You can still go to the pet store with a DA dog, you just have to train it to not react to other dogs. It seems like you are comparing DA to HA.

Me, I would not mind having a DA dog. If my dogs end up DA than I will deal with it.
 

Labra

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#15
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?
Never in a million years. Owning a dog is supposed to be fun. If I had a dog that was capable of inflicting serious harm on another dog or animal, that takes all the fun out of dog ownership. I don't want to be walking around with a loaded gun.

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?
Never.

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?
It wouldn't ever happen. I would never own ANY breed of dog known for aggression of any sort, dog, human or otherwise.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?
It would never happen. Hypothetically if it did, I would be horrified and the dog would never leave the house without a leash and muzzle.
 

Zoom

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#16
Don't forget though...sh*t happens and even the best dog can develop some issues after a situation that require working through. What happens if your dog is attacked one day and develops fear aggression? Are you going ot just ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist?
 
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#17
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?

I don't have a problem with it. Bimmer can be, under the right circumstances, although I would characterize him more as defensive than aggressive. He has to be pushed and provoked, and the times he HAS reacted he's only imposed his supremacy without bringing blood (unless Kharma's in heat :rolleyes: and then I keep him up as tightly as I keep her.) I just do what I need to do to keep him out of bad situations. He'll be 10 this winter - we haven't done badly :)


would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?
It would depend on the circumstances and the size of the dog and the extent to which it was DA. For instance, I won't bring another male dog into Bimmer's home unless it is a puppy that HE raises, and truly, right now, any dog that came in that was DA would have a problem as Bimmer and Kharma are thick as thieves. A dog who snarked at either one of them would have both of them to deal with - probably little Tallulah, too, lol, and I think that they'd do the same if a dog made an aggressive approach to Tallulah.

Tallulah may or may not be DA . . . she doesn't have much of a chance for it to develop, if she is, caught between Bimmer and Kharma.


what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?

I'd look for a reason. Dogs don't do things arbitrarily. There's always a reason.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?

It would totally depend on the circumstances, but since I don't have mine off leash in public places, being well aware that with the dogs I have - and will continue to choose - they would be blamed for anything that happened, whether they had anything remotely to do with it or not, I really can't say as it's a foreign concept to me. If they're on a leash, there's no question.
 

cinnamon

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#18
Be willing to own one---no, I don't feel experienced or qualified to deal with one. There are alot of great dogs out there.

Adopt one--no.

Became agressive---I'd be taking the dog to the vet for underlying illness or a behaviourist to help me work with it.

Dog attack---well, we never go to the dog park. My dog is too reactive and I don't know the other dogs and owners. She has been to doggie daycare and is fine. I'v seen her give cues to other dogs if they aren't playing right or they are in her space.

But if we ever get to agility and she does bite someone, I'd be apologizing profusely and offering to pay the vet bill. Then we'd be doing alot of training on recalls and handler focus.
 
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#19
It wouldn't ever happen. I would never own ANY breed of dog known for aggression of any sort, dog, human or otherwise.
That pretty much eliminates EVERY breed of dog except the stuffed toy breeds. Any dog can bite under the right circumstances, and there are bite incidents in EVERY breed.
 

mom2dogs

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#20
would you be willing to own a dog-aggressive dog?

No

would you adopt a dog already known to be dog-aggressive?

No

what would you do if your own formerly unaggressive dog became dog-aggressive?

Hire a behvaiourist and work on what triggers her and why the turn around. After that learn how I can control it.

what would you do if your dog attacked another dog while your dog was off-leash in a public place?

Depends.
 
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