Pets

[Petrushka]

There is a big piece about dogs in the Guardian today.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/12/lockdown-bad-breeds-or-just-poor-training-why-are-dog-bites-on-the-rise-in-britain

Don’ t get me started ! I freely admit to not being a dog person, but they are important to some people, and can be great if properly trained and restrained.

Quite why I should have to put up with them jumping at me, sniffing me, or attacking me, as happened this year is beyond understanding. I don’t care what the owner thinks the dog is like .( He’s really friendly…!,) I don’t know that, and it isn’t the point. Understanding that your dog’s attentions may be unwelcome is surely not hard to figure out ?

I had a black labrador when I was 11, trained it myself and loved it until its death in 1978. For reasons unknown I've become strongly anti-dog in the years since and agree with the above.

Only last week this dog, of indeterminate breed, came bounding up to me with the owner trailing behind. I waved it away, telling it, in choice words, to clear off. 'He only wants to say hello' the owner said.

Last summer, this guy was coming towards me walking what at first sight, I assumed to be a cow. As it got nearer I could tell it was a Doberman Pinscher. The pavement being narrow, I backed well away. 'Don't worry', said the owner, 'he's very gentle'. I told him, as he didn't seem to know, that these are strictly one owner dogs. I also informed him that the Germans used this breed as guard dogs in the prison camps and concentration camps. They have a well deserved reputation for viciousness.

[jayne lee wilson]

I had a black labrador when I was 11, trained it myself and loved it until its death in 1978. For reasons unknown I've become strongly anti-dog in the years since and agree with the above.

Only last week this dog, of indeterminate breed, came bounding up to me with the owner trailing behind. I waved it away, telling it, in choice words, to clear off. 'He only wants to say hello' the owner said.

Last summer, this guy was coming towards me walking what at first sight, I assumed to be a cow. As it got nearer I could tell it was a Doberman Pinscher. The pavement being narrow, I backed well away. 'Don't worry', said the owner, 'he's very gentle'. I told him, as he didn't seem to know, that these are strictly one owner dogs. I also informed him that the Germans used this breed as guard dogs in the prison camps and concentration camps. They have a well deserved reputation for viciousness.

Only if it is trained into them, surely....? See above...

Is a Doberman puppy vicious? I don't believe any animal is "born this way".
I used to live near a large Doberman which was always coming into garden and bounding around. Well-raised nearby in an all-female household (not exactly a "one-owner dog"...) he had a sweet nature and we had many romps and stick-throwings from the moment we met...

[french frank]

Domestic Animal misbehaviour is invariably down to lack of early socialising and being badly treated early on in their lives....you can't really blame the animals for it.

It did seem to me that most of the canine 'misbehaviour' described was, in one way or another, the fault of human beings rather than the animals.

[teamsaint]

It did seem to me that most of the canine 'misbehaviour' described was, in one way or another, the fault of human beings rather than the animals.

Yes indeed.

When I was attacked this summer( and it was fortunately a minor attack, but it drew a little blood) the dog in question had its claws clamped into my thigh. It could have got nasty. . Anyway, with no sign of meaningful action on the part of the owners, i used the language of the terraces to let them know, and got told that “there’s no need to swear “.
This is down to owners, not the dogs.

[richardfinegold]

There is a big piece about dogs in the Guardian today.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/12/lockdown-bad-breeds-or-just-poor-training-why-are-dog-bites-on-the-rise-in-britain

Don’ t get me started ! I freely admit to not being a dog person, but they are important to some people, and can be great if properly trained and restrained.

Quite why I should have to put up with them jumping at me, sniffing me, or attacking me, as happened this year is beyond understanding. I don’t care what the owner thinks the dog is like .( He’s really friendly…!,) I don’t know that, and it isn’t the point. Understanding that your dog’s attentions may be unwelcome is surely not hard to figure out ?

It’s the insensitivity of dog owners that gets me. The sheer nerve to think that everyone loves the creature licking you, pawing you, the complete lack of understanding when you tell them it causes you breathing difficulties…

[Sir Velo]

Spot on, TS.

The mantra today seems to be dogs can expected to be permitted anywhere. Personally I object to dogs in restaurants, cafes and food shops - well all shops really, if I'm honest!

Despite the article's findings, the dog iicence should definitely be reintroduced. For sure it would be expensive to police and be unpopular with the canine loving sector of society, but then the cost of its enforcement should be met through the licence. The high cost of then owning a dog would be a deterrent to those who are casually seduced into ownership; those who own dogs which attack humans would have their licence withdrawn. Unlicensed dog ownership would be treated through the courts, in the same way as unlicensed motorists, as a specific offence. Of course, exemptions and reduced cost licences would be available for guide dogs but it's clear that the current unregulated fiasco has to change.

Anecdotally, I was leapt upon by a spaniel this year while walking in the New Forest. My complaints to the owners were met with a toss of the head as if to imply that I was overreacting, and if my trousers were torn well, what did I expect, walking in clothes that were clearly a provocation to their beloved fido!

[teamsaint]

Despite the article's findings, the dog iicence should definitely be reintroduced. For sure it would be expensive to police and be unpopular with the canine loving sector of society, but then the cost of its enforcement should be met through the licence. The high cost of then owning a dog would be a deterrent to those who are casually seduced into ownership; those who own dogs which attack humans would have their licence withdrawn. Unlicensed dog ownership would be treated through the courts, in the same way as unlicensed motorists, as a specific offence. Of course, exemptions and reduced cost licences would be available for guide dogs but it's clear that the current unregulated fiasco has to change.

Anecdotally, I was leapt upon by a spaniel this year while walking in the New Forest. My complaints to the owners were met with a toss of the head as if to imply that I was overreacting, and if my trousers were torn well, what did I expect, walking in clothes that were clearly a provocation to their beloved fido!

We just wouldn't accept that kind of ( owner) behavior or outcome in any other situation.
I'm surprised that the govt haven't seen fit to turn dog licencing into a money making opportunity for one of their mates.

[Dave2002]

I would be happy to see restrictions on dogs and dog ownership. Regarding the dog which currently I know best, it does have some traits which would appear to be "natural" (i.e.genetic) rather than trained. It has a strong desire to dig, and the breed were optimised I think for working in burrows - perhaps to chase out rabbits or rats etc. Many dogs were deliberately bred to "improve" certain characteristics - such as an ability to round up sheep. Dogs which were bred for some jobs could indeed become dangerous - the notion that they only have to be trained "properly" is something that dog owners and dog lovers cling to in order to excuse themselves.

If people really want to keep dogs maybe that should be their prerogative, but apart from dogs trying to mate with my trouser legs, there are the added problems of dog mess in playing fields, and dogs do also harbour diseases which can be passed on if they lick one's face. Some people do want dogs for specific purposes - I already mentioned sheep dogs. There are guide dogs for blind and also helper dogs for people with disabilities. Otherwise keeping inappropriate dogs as pets in an urban environment just seems both pointless and inconsiderate to me [both to the dogs and to the people who live nearby and have to put up with them].

I have already been embarrassed taking the dog I mentioned out for walks. Currently it seems harmless enough for adults, but they shouldn't have to put up with it jumping up at them and trying to lick or bite them - even if "it's only a puppy - and she's really gentle actually"!!!!

It was indeed mistreated very early in its life, but it may take years to train some of its less desirable characteristics out - if indeed it is possible at all. It would be better not to be in this position.

[richardfinegold]

I noted during the beginning of COVID that some of the biggest offenders in terms of letting their dogs slobber on others turned out to be some of the biggest Germophobes. They would positively turn and run away at the sight of my wife and I, both health care workers. Perhaps I can invent a myth about health care workers acquiring a chronic virus that is transmittable only to to pets

[ardcarp]

I'm a cat person. But a dog can be a fabulous companion to a lonely, elderly person...and often to someone with mental health problems.
However I agree with the posts above which suggest that not everyone should love dogs. Three examples:

1. A certain gardening programme on BBC TV that highlights a dog
2. The Antiques Roadshow...always including a few momentary shots of dogs
3. The magazine Practical Boat Owner which features 'a Seadog of the Month' picture

What have dogs got to do with gardening, antiques or sailing? Particularly antiques. A positive menace to the Meissen.

[Dave2002]

I'm a cat person. But a dog can be a fabulous companion to a lonely, elderly person...and often to someone with mental health problems.
However I agree with the posts above which suggest that not everyone should love dogs. Three examples:

1. A certain gardening programme on BBC TV that highlights a dog
2. The Antiques Roadshow...always including a few momentary shots of dogs
3. The magazine Practical Boat Owner which features 'a Seadog of the Month' picture

What have dogs got to do with gardening, antiques or sailing? Particularly antiques. A positive menace to the Meissen.

I agree that dogs are helpful to some people.

However these are often used in adverts - for example a "perfect family - with a dog, and a couple of kids". Then of course there's the "lovable" puppy that likes to unroll toilet paper.

[Old Grumpy]

Then of course there's the "lovable" puppy that likes to unroll toilet paper.

"Loveable" children do that as well!

[Dave2002]

"Loveable" children do that as well!

Sadly, if there's a choice between dogs and children, environmentally dogs are probably less damaging.

There's a whole "industry" based on convincing us that we have to have a house, children and a few dogs and cats.

[gurnemanz]

Sadly, if there's a choice between dogs and children, environmentally dogs are probably less damaging.

Children don't routinely defecate and urinate in the street.

[richardfinegold]

Children don't routinely defecate and urinate in the street.

They are also less likely to lick and slobber over every person they encounter and bite a smaller percentage of them. Nor do they routinely lick each others private parts--they wait for adulthood.