Why do you keep an aggressive dog?

[Anonymous]

If you know your dog is a biter, why do you keep it?

[Anonymous]

A few reasons:

1. Owners don't care about the risk to others or themselves.
2. Owners don't believe the dog would actually do serious damage.
3. Owners think they control the situation because the bite was provoked by a specific trigger they think is gone or can be managed.
4. Owners are too afraid the dog will be killed if they surrender it.

[Anonymous]

They made a commitment to that animal.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 friends with aggressive dogs. One attacked one of her other dogs badly, and another bit someone. My sense is extreme stubbornness. They make excuses like they are getting training, they can separate them from guests, etc. I think ultimately, they would rather have their dog stay than have visitors

[Anonymous]

Some people (not me) like aggressive dogs. They'll talk as if they don't and will say they're sorry if their dog scares you, but deep down inside, they don't give a damn if you're scared. They're selfish and entitled and as long as it's someone else who is worried, they'll continue on as if nothing was wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They made a commitment to that animal.

Like they are married to a dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They made a commitment to that animal.

Like they are married to a dog.

You just don’t get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people (not me) like aggressive dogs. They'll talk as if they don't and will say they're sorry if their dog scares you, but deep down inside, they don't give a damn if you're scared. They're selfish and entitled and as long as it's someone else who is worried, they'll continue on as if nothing was wrong.

You have serious issues if you think anyone beyond a very very small minority of people like aggressive dogs. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I've known several people who adopted a dog not knowing it was aggressive, and then they feel a sense of obligation and guilt. There's so much propaganda out there about how once you bring a dog into your home it's your responsibility for life, only terrible people get rid of their dogs, you need to do the right thing and spend hundreds/thousands of dollars on training (that likely won't even work), etc. I once surrendered a dog that was starting fights with my first dog and they gave me a TON of attitude over what a horrible person I was.

So owners keep chugging along, spending a ton of money, time, and energy on the dog, while stressed out of their minds. I've seen people literally break down sobbing because they're so overwhelmed but feel so guilty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few reasons:

1. Owners don't care about the risk to others or themselves.
2. Owners don't believe the dog would actually do serious damage.
3. Owners think they control the situation because the bite was provoked by a specific trigger they think is gone or can be managed.
4. Owners are too afraid the dog will be killed if they surrender it.

I think it's some these, but I will give some more credit to some of the owners. I think the shelters and rescues have done an AMAZING job of making people think they need to "adopt, not shop!" and pawn off these aggressive dogs on people who are not really prepared to handle them. I've met some adopters who are really, really TRYING and training, socializing (which often ends with dog on dog violence) and doing everything they should because of this, "it's NOT the dog! It's an owner problem!" I've had two come to me totally exasperated and near tears with their dogs and just...despondent that they are doing everything "right" and it is just a tremendous amount of effort for a dog that just...has this streak in it. And yeah, sometimes it is a particular trigger or whatever, but it's not good. They'd also be shamed in giving them up because OWNER problem! I have a chill AF Golden Retriever and I have had to explain that I know they're doing everything well (and honestly? putting in like 10x as much work...) but this dog is going to aggressive dog. I'm training behaviors IN, they're training behaviors OUT and that is way more challenging.

I've had many fosters and have dealt with aggression. It's hard to train out. Hence, I don't get aggressive-prone dogs for my longterm homelife.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people (not me) like aggressive dogs. They'll talk as if they don't and will say they're sorry if their dog scares you, but deep down inside, they don't give a damn if you're scared. They're selfish and entitled and as long as it's someone else who is worried, they'll continue on as if nothing was wrong.

Are you talking about dogs who attack and bite or dogs who are reactive and will bark, growl and even lunge at the fence that’s keeping them contained, but have never bitten anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They made a commitment to that animal.

Like they are married to a dog.

You just don’t get it.

I think it depends on the situation.

If someone adopted a dog knowing it was aggressive and understood the amount they would need to invest to keep the dog and others safe, that's one thing.

But if a rescue adopts out an aggressive dog without informing the new owners, or if the dog develops aggression despite proper care and training, it's totally reasonable to surrender and/or have it euthanized (depending on the severity of the aggression, but yes, some need to be euthanized. Even no-kill shelters can euthanize 10% of their animals, and many are due to behavioral problems that can't be fixed). Sort of like, it's one thing to marry someone knowing they have a severe mental illness and being willing to do what is needed to make the relationship work. But it's a totally different thing if they hide it until you're married and stuck, or if it develops later in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few reasons:

1. Owners don't care about the risk to others or themselves.
2. Owners don't believe the dog would actually do serious damage.
3. Owners think they control the situation because the bite was provoked by a specific trigger they think is gone or can be managed.
4. Owners are too afraid the dog will be killed if they surrender it.

I think it's some these, but I will give some more credit to some of the owners. I think the shelters and rescues have done an AMAZING job of making people think they need to "adopt, not shop!" and pawn off these aggressive dogs on people who are not really prepared to handle them. I've met some adopters who are really, really TRYING and training, socializing (which often ends with dog on dog violence) and doing everything they should because of this, "it's NOT the dog! It's an owner problem!" I've had two come to me totally exasperated and near tears with their dogs and just...despondent that they are doing everything "right" and it is just a tremendous amount of effort for a dog that just...has this streak in it. And yeah, sometimes it is a particular trigger or whatever, but it's not good. They'd also be shamed in giving them up because OWNER problem! I have a chill AF Golden Retriever and I have had to explain that I know they're doing everything well (and honestly? putting in like 10x as much work...) but this dog is going to aggressive dog. I'm training behaviors IN, they're training behaviors OUT and that is way more challenging.

I've had many fosters and have dealt with aggression. It's hard to train out. Hence, I don't get aggressive-prone dogs for my longterm homelife.

Agree with all this, and I think what people need to keep in mind is that good dog trainers spend YEARS learning about behavior, and really good ones have advanced degrees. It's crazy to think your average dog owner can obtain the same amount of knowledge on canine behavior, psychology, and training. Often it's not an owner problem at all, and they are doing what they have been told, but they just don't have the knowledge or skills. And that's okay, we can't all be dog experts.

[Anonymous]

A lot of aggressive behaviors are not evident when dog is a puppy. I had a hyper, friendly puppy and didn’t realize that sometimes the super social dogs can turn reactive. So I’m a year in, love this dog, and I’d much rather do everything I can to manage and train than to risk dog not finding a loving home. So far, with lots and lots of training and management, things are going well. She has never bitten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've known several people who adopted a dog not knowing it was aggressive, and then they feel a sense of obligation and guilt. There's so much propaganda out there about how once you bring a dog into your home it's your responsibility for life, only terrible people get rid of their dogs, you need to do the right thing and spend hundreds/thousands of dollars on training (that likely won't even work), etc. I once surrendered a dog that was starting fights with my first dog and they gave me a TON of attitude over what a horrible person I was.

So owners keep chugging along, spending a ton of money, time, and energy on the dog, while stressed out of their minds. I've seen people literally break down sobbing because they're so overwhelmed but feel so guilty.

Ok, sock puppet.