Paul O'Grady

[Perpetua]

I've never caged any of my dogs must admit Spikey . . . but each are different.

Your dogs are protecting you, if they go mental when someone knocks .  . .  personally, I encourage that behaviour, then reward them when they go to their bed on command.

But that's just what suits me.

[lairey]

We had a cross black lab/GSD when I was growing up. Gorgeous, well natured dog she was. The bit twice. Once was our next door neighbour who let herself into our house unannounced. Being a dog owner herself, she completely understood why and quite rightly blamed her own stupidity.

The second time, Mum was kneeling on the drive weeding. Her hearing was never great and the postman came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder, again, understandably, protecting my Mum from the horrible stranger, the dog bit him. Luckily, despite the postman lodging a complaint with the police, they agreed he was in the wrong and didn't pursue. Had us very worried we'd have to have her put to sleep at the time. As it was, she lived to the ripe old age of 18.

I have a number of friends who have or had a number of so called dangerous breeds - staffies, rotties and doberman in particular and all have been soft as, unless you pose a threat to their families.

[300]

Oct 26, 2014 15:54:27 GMT sammy13 said:

Oct 26, 2014 12:07:15 GMT 300 said:

I've been attacked & on occasion bitten by various breeds of dog, Collies, JRT, GSD, Rhodesian Ridgeback, even had a Shar-Pei sink it's teeth... customer says 'oh, forgot to say the dog likes to nip!!!!' & of course not forgetting Staffies, despite this i still love dogs.... on a lead & under control.

Once had a Staffie hanging off my trouser leg & woman had to drag it off, dog turned on her, made a right mess of her hand, terrifying experience.

Working at a customer's property, lady took a phone call from her Sister, lady was distraught, Sister's 11yr old Son in hospital, been attacked by family pet of 7yrs, was a Staffie, Sister wanted her to collect the dog & take it to vets to be PTS, it gets worse, dog was from a litter that this lady had bred.

Out walking our dog one evening Staffie launched itself at us, it dragged the woman to her knees, i got a string of abuse when i told her to get it muzzled.

Out in our local country park an old guy got pulled flat on his face by a Husky snarling & frothing at the mouth, guy bust his glasses & covered in mud he never said a word, think he was in shock.

Walking the coast path at Perranporth our dog on lead was attacked by two Terriers, had to stick the boot in to get them off then had a massive argument with this guy & his Wife that nearly ended in fisticuffs 'cos i dared to touch his dogs.

I guess what i'm trying to say is aggressive behaviour is not breed specific although some breeds have potential to inflict more damage than others & also that i don't trust other peoples' dogs. When you encounter a dog for the first time you have no way of knowing if it's friendly or not until it's too late.

When we're out with our dog & there are other dogs or kids about then i show some courtesy & keep her on lead until i know they're OK together then let them off to do what all well behaved dogs normally do.

The thing i hate the most is those who have agressive dogs & know it who say 'that's what dogs do, leave them alone they'll sort it out themselves.'

I carry a Biteback spray at work & when we're out walking, it's saved my bacon more than once, it's not guaranteed to work in every situation but it's better than nothing.

I don't concern myself with the reasons for the behaviour of somebody else's dog, there's nothing i can do about that, my only concern is our own safety / behaviour.

Gosh you don't have much luck with dogs .

Some breeds I do believe have a viscious streak in them which has to be calmed from puppy stage, Dobermans and aquitas especially

To be honest i don't think it's to do with luck, i think it's more about exposure. I'm in & out of customers homes all day long at work & lots of them have dogs, i always ask them to put their dogs away, it's not ideal to have a dog's nose stuck up your arse when you're trying to do your job, & when i'm not at work we're out for hours on end walking with the dog, usually the same places as everybody else so there's bound to be lots of other dogs around.

In fairness, the examples i quoted above are very few & far between but it does put you on your guard. I don't dislike any particular breed, i love all the friendly ones.

On the flip side of the coin i also see some things at work that would break your heart, not everybody loves & cares for their pets the way they should, it makes you realise just how vulnerable pets are.

[Jerri]

Good on Paul. I've been a huge fan of his since the Lily Savage days. I love PogDogs. How much he cares for the animals he encounters is clear. TJats what makes the show as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking.

I'm lucky enough to own two Staffies. I've had dogs my entire life, my mum bought me a dog for my first birthday and I've had dogs ever since.

Move never known a breed as loving an affectionate as Staffies. They're just giant softies. They are very people oriented and all they want is to snuggle in and fall asleep. They're hysterical as well.

These are my two Bailey (the black one) and Novak (the white one). Bailey is the funniest dog I've ever met. He's a total mischief maker who's favourite thing in the world is attempting to lick the face off people. Novak is super laid back. All he wants in life is a chest tickle and to use me as a human pillow.

The rep staffies have makes me so sad and I'm a firm believer that if you think any dog is born bad then you're looking at the wrong end of he lead. No breed in inherently bad. Just as no dog should be trusted 100%. I adore dogs but still would never leave any dog alone with a child. No matter how much I trusted the dog. And that's from one of those weirdos who much prefers her dogs to people.

[gill2009]

 Beautiful dogs Jerri 

[sammy13]

A dangerours dog ??? -

[Jerri]

Oct 26, 2014 18:33:51 GMT sammy13 said:

A dangerours dog ??? -

I've seen a lot of the Hope for Paws videos. The man (Eldad Hagar) is an angel. The work he does saving these poor animals is incredible. I have followed them on Facebook but often find the videos too heartbreaking. I have donated in the last when I could. And will do so again in future. He and the rest of hope for paws are incredible.

[sammy13]

[Jerri]

The thing that amazes me about these rescues dogs is no matter what they've been through and how they've been treated they still have a massive capacity to love. They still wag their tails and show affection despite being abused and mistreated for sometimes years. Yet when shown a tiny bit of love they return it 100 fold. And as the videos show, with a few weeks of genuine love and affection they are completely transformed.

I genuinely find is astonishing.

[sammy13]

Oct 26, 2014 18:50:47 GMT Jerri said:

The thing that amazes me about these rescues dogs is no matter what they've been through and how they've been treated they still have a massive capacity to love. They still wag their tails and show affection despite being abused and mistreated for sometimes years. Yet when shown a tiny bit of love they return it 100 fold. And as the videos show, with a few weeks of genuine love and affection they are completely transformed.

I genuinely find is astonishing.

I would only ever get a pet from a rescue, forget gumtree, and breeders they are in it for the money only.

I donated my inheritance to dogs trust -  a 6 figure amount, not because I didn't need it but because my mum supported them so it only seemed fair.

[sammy13]

[Jerri]

Oct 26, 2014 18:55:09 GMT sammy13 said:

Oct 26, 2014 18:50:47 GMT Jerri said:

The thing that amazes me about these rescues dogs is no matter what they've been through and how they've been treated they still have a massive capacity to love. They still wag their tails and show affection despite being abused and mistreated for sometimes years. Yet when shown a tiny bit of love they return it 100 fold. And as the videos show, with a few weeks of genuine love and affection they are completely transformed.

I genuinely find is astonishing.

I would only ever get a pet from a rescue, forget gumtree, and breeders they are in it for the money only.

I donated my inheritance to dogs trust -  a 6 figure amount, not because I didn't need it but because my mum supported them so it only seemed fair.

Bailey is a rescue. I basically stole him from a back yard breeder. She had him in a cage covered in his own crap. Mother nowhere in site. So I basically told her I was taking him and if she have any issue with that I'd be happy to wait whilst she called the police. She didn't. I also reported her to the RSPCA. Not that I think it did any good but I didn't know what else to do.

Took him the vets. He was three weeks old. Absolutely riddled with worms and fleas. He wasn't a well boy at all. Bottle fed him and the intention was to find him a good home as I already had Novak and two dogs under 6 months wasn't something I wanted. But after a week of bottle feeding. Then weening and getting him back to health I couldn't part with him. He was extremely hard work. Zero bite inhibition. Stubborn as a mule so hard to toilet train. Chewed everything in site etc. He still pulls like a freight train on the lead and is terrified of men wearing hoodies (no idea why as I don't know any personally). Plus I had Novak, but thankfully he has always been a breeze.

That said. All the hard work etc I wouldn't change him for the world. He is absolutely worth it.

Thing that sickens me is I still sometimes see the breeder. She always asks me if I've still got him. Like she was some lovely kennel club approved breeder whom I purchased a puppy from.

[sammy13]

I can not comprehend why anyone would get a dog ( or any pet ) and then abandon/ disown it, to me that is the same as throwing a child in the dump or on gumtree for sale etc. These people should be banned for life from owning pets.
No difference at all.

Those that treat them bad should be inprisoned

[Jerri]

Oct 26, 2014 19:23:18 GMT sammy13 said:

I can not comprehend why anyone would get a dog ( or any pet ) and then abandon/ disown it, to me that is the same as throwing a child in the dump or on gumtree for sale etc. These people should be banned for life from owning pets.
No difference at all.

Those that treat them bad should be inprisoned

Me either.

My mum always told me animals are for life. That's it. Once you say yes to having them that's it. They're with you until the end.

I obviously understand some circumstances are unavoidable. Like when owners become ill etc but we're not taking about those. I like you, mean those who see them as accessories. Or disposable items.

[sammy13]

Oct 26, 2014 19:31:19 GMT Jerri said:

Oct 26, 2014 19:23:18 GMT sammy13 said:

I can not comprehend why anyone would get a dog ( or any pet ) and then abandon/ disown it, to me that is the same as throwing a child in the dump or on gumtree for sale etc. These people should be banned for life from owning pets.
No difference at all.

Those that treat them bad should be inprisoned

Me either.

My mum always told me animals are for life. That's it. Once you say yes to having them that's it. They're with you until the end.

I obviously understand some circumstances are unavoidable. Like when owners become ill etc but we're not taking about those. I like you, mean those who see them as accessories. Or disposable items.

So true, if you get a pet even if it is a mouse, it is your responsibility, just like a child would be.

You treat it with love, care for it, make sure it is well , and until its dying day you protect it.