by Anna Wildman

Created on: March 29, 2009

Does the breed of a dog make it dangerous? Well the media and irresposible dog owners would sure like us to think so. I disagree and before people begin shouting about how naive I am let me tell you I and ten of my family and friends have been bitten or mauled by a dog. None of us were mauled by any of the so-called "dangerous" breeds. Admitedly many dog types are capable of more damage then others. So what a 6' 5" 250 lbs man is going to do more damage then me a 5'4" 135 lbs female. (unless I happen to have black belt which I do) Should we lock up all big strong muscle bound men on the basis that their body type does more damage then a geeks? Of course not. But thats not the same people say. Humans are humans and animals are not. Yet to say that a specific breed is more dangerous then another you have to give them human characteristic and assume human motives.

Firstly dogs are not human they are not our children or our friends they are our companions and our responsibility. According to statistics only 30 people die of dog bites each year in the US 56% of those from dogs who were left running loose with no owner guiding them. 30 people , wow that isnt even a fraction of the people killed by drunk or rackless drivers each year. However we can't ben alcohol but we can ban dog breeds. I could get drunk and run over a family of four and live out my life but a dog bites one person without killing them and the dog is put down.

Why do dogs bite? Dogs bite because they feel threatened, because they are protecting their territory or because they are in pain or frustrated. The first and second relate to one another and are signs of a bad owner. First and foremost your dog doesn't have territory, you do. It isnt his house or yard its yours. By the time a dog bites someone defending territory you have already missed signs that your dog thinks he owns you. The first sign a dog is feeling territorial is him marking his territory. We have all seen the dog raise his hind leg and dribble on something. Do not allow this. It isnt their territory. Keep them on a leash and when you see this behavior a sharp no and tug on the lead will tell them that isnt allowed. If your dog snarls at people approaching you or your house do not wait till you have greeted the person before correcting the dog, The person can wait if you wait to correct your dog he will think he has the right to snarl and that is the first step on a bad road.Blaming a dog for biting is like blaming the car the drunk

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>