Why do you keep an aggressive dog?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a mixed rescue that was written down on paper as being 3, and with some infected ears, skin, and in need of a dental. He growled at my husband when we went to foster home, but nothing aggressive. We took him home, started medical treatment for skin and ears, and his dental turned out to be a 5 hour surgery. .so infected that he was probably in real pain. And he was about 10, not 3. He was likely abused..evidence of past broken ribs.

Wrap to the end..yes, he loves us, trusted family members, but no one else. Yes, he will bite those ( people and dogs) he thinks are threats to us. His demeanor really improved, though, after he started feeling good, and he's living his best life with our 2 other dogs. We keep him away from others, that's all. He does fine in a kennel that gets him -with our other dogs, when we have to travel. It's not for everyone, but it's been a privilege to earn his trust and to care for this sad little dog. If we had little kids coming in and out of the house all day, no, we couldn't do it, but we are well suited to do this now. Glad we took him home.

If I had a friend living like this with a person, I would advise her that she was living in an abusive relationship and try to help her to get out of the relationship.

Really? If I had a friend that took an abused person from a shelter into their home, got them medical care and treatment, and took care of them, I would think they were a saint. I don’t get doing it with an a dog though.
Also, if that abused person turned out to have a serious mental illness that didn’t respond to treatment, and they occasionally attacked other people with a knife, then they would have to live in a locked facility.

Yes, really. They live in a situation where they are on eggshells, waiting for a violent outburst and scrambling to try to prevent one ahead of time (and if one happens despite all their scrambling, they will blame themselves). Their lives are limited because the abusive family member prevents them from seeing friends and engaging in normal life activities in their own home. They can't travel for long. They minimize the harm of the situation so as to justify putting up with it. They accept that the family member will never change and so circumscribe their own lives to accommodate the potential violence.

If that family member were a human not a dog, this would be an abusive living situation.

Come on. It's a small dog, not someone's uncle. These comparisons are crazy.

Right?

A human being deserves care and treatment. A dog is a dog. I think that some people would sooner put down their uncle.

[Anonymous]

We adopted a large dog the year we married. He was never aggressive until our first DC came. Then he became aggressive towards anyone he did not know well. He was 7 at the time and we tried trainer after trainer and finally came to the conclusion that he had to be crated whenever strangers came over. Socialization didn't work. It was a huge effort and I'd never knowingly adopt an aggressive dog again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're seeing an uptick in dogs that shouldn't have been given to particular owners. As said above, the "adopt, don't shop" phrase really took off and so many in my age group (elder millennial) believe its unethical to get a dog from a breeder. Once people in my circle get a dog from the shelter, they wear it as a badge of honor (virtue signaling) that they're doing the "right" thing. Several of these dogs have behavioral issues not fit for first time dog owners (which many are), nor are these dogs fit for life in a dense city - encountering other dogs and people in elevators, crossing other dogs on tight sidewalks etc.

I've had dogs all my life, and my family has had dogs for generations. We believe in behavioral euthanasia, and that not all dogs are meant for all scenarios. Sadly, that is not the case now. You will see large breed active dogs living in small apartments with one walk a day acting out. You will see power breeds being trained often with only positive rather than balanced training methods (a conversation for another day) that will not listen to their owner in a high intensity situation. You will see dogs that have been abused and are on a hair trigger being left alone with children. Its a shame.

The rescues did a number on us. I am sad for the current state of canine-human relations. I think it will get worse as we come out of the pandemic and so many people just picked up a dog at the shelter and attempt to navigate the world. Near us, this is a lot of pit/pit mixes which require a certain level of care and expertise. As mentioned above, the bite history on some of these dogs would have meant euthanasia in the past but now they're released to first time dog owners who don't have kids or other dogs (but live in an apartment building next to kids and other dogs...). I hope that rescues wise up that eventually these difficult dogs end up in and out of different rescues and that releasing them without some careful thought as to their behavior and the circumstances of release is actually a disservice to the dog, owner, and community.

You and millions of others. Doesn’t make you an expert or an authority, and doesn’t give you any more of a license than anyone else to pontificate.

Except that, despite pontificating, this person is right.

We adopted a dog from a shelter. Our only requirement was that the dog was not aggressive. Guess who has the most insane prey drive I have ever seen?! Luckily we got it under control with a combination of training methods. But we're experienced dog owners. In the wrong setting, this would have been a disaster.

[Anonymous]

It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

Are you literally trying to demonstrate the point that it's all about your ego? You are a perfect example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

Are you literally trying to demonstrate the point that it's all about your ego? You are a perfect example.

No I just think it’s hilarious how frigggin judgey DCUM women are. They just sit around and judge judge judge. I hate judgey people more than aggressive dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

Are you literally trying to demonstrate the point that it's all about your ego? You are a perfect example.

No I just think it’s hilarious how frigggin judgey DCUM women are. They just sit around and judge judge judge. I hate judgey people more than aggressive dogs.

You are definitely demonstrating the original point well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

Are you literally trying to demonstrate the point that it's all about your ego? You are a perfect example.

No I just think it’s hilarious how frigggin judgey DCUM women are. They just sit around and judge judge judge. I hate judgey people more than aggressive dogs.

You are definitely demonstrating the original point well.

Ha ha whatever. Go get ‘em Fido!

[Anonymous]

I have a dog that many people would probably categorize as aggressive. We got him as a puppy and his reactivity only surfaced after he was well over a year old and he was a member of our family that we loved and cared deeply for. He makes our lives exponentially harder but we are very committed to a) keeping others safe and b) giving him a good life that is realistic for him. A lot of people with reactive dogs get hung up on wishing their dog was normal and putting themselves into bad/dangerous situations, which I think is where a lot of the stigma around reactive dogs comes from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

Are you literally trying to demonstrate the point that it's all about your ego? You are a perfect example.

No I just think it’s hilarious how frigggin judgey DCUM women are. They just sit around and judge judge judge. I hate judgey people more than aggressive dogs.

Call me whatever you want. If I had my way, if your dog injured or killed someone, you would be charged with assault or manslaughter and get actual prison time.

I can’t believe people keep these huge, aggressive dogs. It’s like keeping a loaded gun in your front yard. Oh, it won’t hurt you because you know how to use it. And most of the time it’s just sitting there. But then some child comes along thinking it’s a toy, and...

[Anonymous]

I have a fear aggressive dog we rescued as a puppy - it sucks - but we have made it work for almost 11 years. Lots of evaluations and trainings and rules. She is a border collie mix so she doesn’t attack but she nips if people put their hands near her face - it’s still biting but wanted to clarify this is not a jugular situation - it’s a back off situation specific to the breed. Nobody can touch her but family. But despite all of this she’s been a wonderful and very sweet and fun family pet to a small inner circle . It has been a lot - never again would we take a chance with another rehomed shelter puppy - but kill her - no way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

Are you literally trying to demonstrate the point that it's all about your ego? You are a perfect example.

No I just think it’s hilarious how frigggin judgey DCUM women are. They just sit around and judge judge judge. I hate judgey people more than aggressive dogs.

You are definitely demonstrating the original point well.

Ha ha whatever. Go get ‘em Fido!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a mixed rescue that was written down on paper as being 3, and with some infected ears, skin, and in need of a dental. He growled at my husband when we went to foster home, but nothing aggressive. We took him home, started medical treatment for skin and ears, and his dental turned out to be a 5 hour surgery. .so infected that he was probably in real pain. And he was about 10, not 3. He was likely abused..evidence of past broken ribs.

Wrap to the end..yes, he loves us, trusted family members, but no one else. Yes, he will bite those ( people and dogs) he thinks are threats to us. His demeanor really improved, though, after he started feeling good, and he's living his best life with our 2 other dogs. We keep him away from others, that's all. He does fine in a kennel that gets him -with our other dogs, when we have to travel. It's not for everyone, but it's been a privilege to earn his trust and to care for this sad little dog. If we had little kids coming in and out of the house all day, no, we couldn't do it, but we are well suited to do this now. Glad we took him home.

If I had a friend living like this with a person, I would advise her that she was living in an abusive relationship and try to help her to get out of the relationship.

Really? If I had a friend that took an abused person from a shelter into their home, got them medical care and treatment, and took care of them, I would think they were a saint. I don’t get doing it with an a dog though.
Also, if that abused person turned out to have a serious mental illness that didn’t respond to treatment, and they occasionally attacked other people with a knife, then they would have to live in a locked facility.

Yes, really. They live in a situation where they are on eggshells, waiting for a violent outburst and scrambling to try to prevent one ahead of time (and if one happens despite all their scrambling, they will blame themselves). Their lives are limited because the abusive family member prevents them from seeing friends and engaging in normal life activities in their own home. They can't travel for long. They minimize the harm of the situation so as to justify putting up with it. They accept that the family member will never change and so circumscribe their own lives to accommodate the potential violence.

If that family member were a human not a dog, this would be an abusive living situation.

Many people who foster or adopt abused children end up in this situation. I don’t know that I would consider it abusive, but I understand that it’s a difficult life.

But I guess I consider people who take in a child to be wonderful, selfless people. I consider people who do this with a dog to be useless and insipid at best, and criminals at worst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is an ego thing for a lot of them.

Honestly, what the hell is wrong with DCUM women? I wish I could send my aggressive dog in your direction right now lol.

Are you literally trying to demonstrate the point that it's all about your ego? You are a perfect example.

No I just think it’s hilarious how frigggin judgey DCUM women are. They just sit around and judge judge judge. I hate judgey people more than aggressive dogs.

Call me whatever you want. If I had my way, if your dog injured or killed someone, you would be charged with assault or manslaughter and get actual prison time.

I can’t believe people keep these huge, aggressive dogs. It’s like keeping a loaded gun in your front yard. Oh, it won’t hurt you because you know how to use it. And most of the time it’s just sitting there. But then some child comes along thinking it’s a toy, and...

Talk about a drama queen.